Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I recommend starting the preparation early, especially regarding the visa process, accommodation and course selection. For accommodation, applying early for university housing is advisable. I travelled to the University of Kentucky by plane and recommend planning enough time for transfers and immigration procedures.

2. Accommodation

I chose to live in a student residence on campus at the University of Kentucky. The application process was straightforward, but I recommend applying for housing as early as possible. Living on campus was very convenient because it was close to classes, the library, and other university facilities. The campus area felt safe, and living in student housing made it easy to meet other exchange students and participate in university life. A tip would be to check which side of campus you want to live on, as the campus is quite large and walking from one side to the other can take some time.

3. Academic life at host university

The University of Kentucky has a very large and well-equipped campus with many facilities, including libraries, study spaces, sports facilities, and student areas. The campus offers many opportunities to get involved outside of classes through student organizations and events. Compared to WU Vienna, the academic culture is more focused on continuous participation throughout the semester. Classes are usually smaller and there are more assignments, quizzes, presentations, and exams during the semester instead of mainly focusing on one final exam. I would recommend choosing courses that match your interests and checking the workload beforehand, as some courses require regular weekly work.

5. Every day life in the host country

Most places on and around campus were easily reachable by free campus buses or on foot, while public transport in Lexington outside the university area israther limited. The campus and surrounding areas felt generally safe. Student life was very active, with many clubs, events and social activities organized through the university. The Gatton Student Center was a central meeting point for studying and socializing. Joining clubs or going to events was something I really enjoyed and I can definitely recommend doing the same. Sports played a major role, especially college basketball with the Kentucky Wildcats. There are many other sport events where you can go for free, so check that out.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at the University of Kentucky was an amazing experience, especially because of the strong campus community and school spirit. The biggest highlight for me was meeting people from all over the world and making new friends there. Also life through clubs and events were fun. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere of Lexington as a classic US college town.