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 would not say that the preparation process was particularly difficult, but I would definitely recommend starting everything well in advance. The most important things are applying for your visa on time and securing accommodation early. My main advice is not to leave these steps until the last minute. I received my visa in November, and as soon as it was approved, I purchased my flight ticket the following day. Obtaining the visa was not complicated; the key is to make sure you have all the required documents with you, including the invitation documents from the University of Illinois. In general, the university provides all the necessary paperwork needed for the visa application process. I flew from Vienna to Chicago with a transfer in Amsterdam. There are, of course, many convenient flight options to Chicago, making international travel relatively easy. However, it is important to remember that the University of Illinois is not located in Chicago itself but approximately two and a half hours away. To travel between Chicago and the campus, most students use the Peoria Charter bus service, which was the most convenient option in my experience. There is also an Amtrak train connection, although I never used it. Bus tickets can easily be purchased online. I would also recommend arriving a day or two earlier if possible to explore Chicago before heading to campus. This is what my friends and I did, and it was a great way to start the exchange experience. I would also strongly recommend planning your course selection well in advance. Do not postpone choosing your courses and make sure you do not miss the registration period, as I almost did. It is also important to pay attention to time zone differences when registration opens. My advice is to select courses that you are confident will fit into degree plan and be transferable to WU. In addition, always prepare a few backup options. It is quite common for courses to overlap in the schedule or for preferred classes to fill up quickly. Having two or three alternative courses ready can save a lot of stress if you are unable to enroll in your first choice. Overall, I found the course registration process much easier and more straightforward than at our home university.

2. Accommodation

I started thinking about accommodation already at the end of the summer, around September, because I wanted to live with a friend during my exchange semester. Overall, finding housing was much easier than I had expected, so I would encourage future exchange students not to worry too much. However, I would still recommend starting the search early, as the best options are usually taken quickly. One aspect that was particularly helpful was that WU exchange students received emails from UIUC students who were going abroad for a semester and were looking for someone to take over their lease. This is how I found my accommodation. Four full-time UIUC students were going on exchange and were subletting their four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for the summer semester. My friend and I, together with two other WU students, decided to rent this apartment. The rent was very reasonable, and we were especially lucky because we negotiated a lease that did not require us to pay for the summer months. This is something future students should pay close attention to, as many leases in Champaign-Urbana are designed for a full academic year, meaning tenants may have to pay rent even during months when they are no longer there. I lived in private housing located directly on campus. I would strongly recommend living on campus, as it makes everyday life much more convenient. Most university buildings, library, restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores are within walking distance. I would also recommend choosing accommodation in Champaign rather than Urbana. My apartment was located on Second Street, which was an excellent location. It took me about ten minutes to walk to Green Street and around ten minutes to reach most of my classes. I always felt safe in the area. In general, on-campus housing is very safe and student-friendly, whereas some off-campus areas can feel less comfortable. Overall, I was very satisfied with my accommodation experience and would highly recommend living on campus if possible.

3. Academic life at host university

Everything you need is located right on campus. All university buildings, libraries, sports facilities, and cafés are within walking distance. Most likely, you will also be living on or very close to campus, which makes student life incredibly convenient. I honestly fell in love with the American education system. It is very different from what we are used to. Everything is focused on practical application rather than simply reading textbooks or spending hours studying theory. You work with interesting materials and immediately apply what you learn in real-life situations. Most of my courses included a lot of case studies, group projects, and presentations. The classes are designed to encourage interaction, collaboration, and communication. You are constantly working with other students, sharing ideas, and developing your public speaking and teamwork skills. I really enjoyed this approach, and it was honestly a great experience. When it comes to courses, I would especially recommend Consumer Behavior and Introduction to Entrepreneurship. They could be challenging at times, but they were also extremely engaging and interesting. However, I genuinely enjoyed all of the courses I took during my exchange semester. In the United States, and especially at my host university, it was very easy to meet new people and make friends. The professors were approachable, supportive, and always willing to help. For example, one of my professors even extended a deadline for me when I was dealing with an urgent personal situation. Studying in the U.S. feels very different from studying in Europe. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, ask questions, share their opinions, and engage with both professors and classmates. Being involved is an important part of the learning process, and I believe it makes the overall educational experience much more rewarding and enjoyable.

5. Every day life in the host country

There is a great bus system on campus that makes it easy to get around. You can use it to travel across campus, get to classes more quickly, or simply save time when you are running late. I would not say that I used it very often, but it was definitely helpful from time to time. If you are going on exchange during the spring semester, be prepared for very cold winter weather. During those colder months, having access to the bus system is especially convenient. I personally felt very safe on campus throughout my exchange. While there was one shooting incident during the time I was there, it happened off campus. On campus, I always felt secure, and I never experienced any safety issues. The University of Illinois offers an incredible variety of activities for students outside of academics. One of the biggest advantages of the university is its amazing recreation center and gym facilities. There are also countless student organizations and sports clubs to join. I attended the ballet club several times, but there are options for almost every interest imaginable—from rock climbing and water sports to fishing groups and many other outdoor activities. There are always events happening on campus, so it is very easy to stay involved and meet new people. One thing I would also say is that you should be prepared to become a sports fan once you arrive in the United States. Before my exchange, I knew almost nothing about American football or basketball and had never really watched any games. However, after arriving at UIUC, following sports quickly became part of my weekly routine. There always seemed to be a game to watch, whether it was with friends at a bar, a pub, or at a university event. Sports are a huge part of American culture, and I would highly recommend embracing that experience and making the most of it during your exchange semester.

6. Testimonial

This exchange was without a doubt the best experience of my life and the greatest adventure I could have wished for. Over these six months, I grew a lot as a person and often felt like I was living in an American college movie while making lifelong friends from all over the world. Beyond academics, I developed a startup idea, attended exciting sporting events, and traveled across the United States, creating unforgettable memories. I would choose this exchange again without hesitation, and it will always remain one of the most meaningful chapters of my life.