Details

• Japan
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

To prepare well, I would recommend downloading the Suica app in advance for transport and payments you will need a security code for the setup, which requires a Japanese phone number and can be tricky to obtain later. Regarding health insurance, note that residents in Japan are required to pay into the National Health Insurance scheme, so it is worth checking beforehand whether an additional private insurance is truly necessary. It also helps to learn some basic Japanese words before you arrive. Once you are here, try to arrive early to catch the cherry blossom season, and make sure to travel as much as possible in the beginning, as it is absolutely beautiful!

2. Accommodation

I am staying at the Waseda International Dorm (WID) and really enjoy it. The staff is very helpful, it is conveniently close to campus, clean, and even has a cafeteria if needed. On the downside, the rules are quite strict, visitors are barely allowed, there are fixed curfew hours, and the price is higher compared to some other accommodation options nearby. In general, the area around Waseda and Japan as a whole feels very safe, and the public transport is excellent. I would definitely recommend living in a dorm or shared house rather than a private apartment, as it is a great way to meet a lot of people!

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is really beautiful also with the park, and the facilities are pretty good. The academic culture is quite different from Vienna, in my opinion, it is considerably more relaxed, with less difficult exams. Classes tend to be more frontal lectures with less interaction overall. However, I chose courses that involve a lot of assignments, presentations, and class participation. I am really happy with the professors, as they often bring a wealth of real-world work experience to their teaching. Course recommendations: - Japanese Management - Managing People and Organization - Innovation of the new World order: Winning Strategies of Asia - Introduction to Business Analytics and Applications

5. Every day life in the host country

Tokyo is an extremely safe city. The only inconvenience is that public transport does not run between approximately 1 and 5 am. There is always plenty to do in Tokyo. Waseda University also offers over 500 clubs you can join, while some may not accept exchange students, there are always options available. I personally joined the WTC Tennis Club and the Golf Club, both of which I really enjoyed. Just keep in mind that some clubs are located quite far outside of Tokyo, so it is worth checking the location beforehand.

6. Testimonial

The exchange semester in Tokyo has been one of the best experiences of my life so far. It was filled with countless memorable moments, exciting activities, and the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from all over the world. Living in a completely different culture was an incredibly enriching experience that I will never forget and the food, I already miss it deeply. Tokyo is truly a wonderful city to live in.