Details

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

1. Preparation

For the preparation of your exchange semester, it is very important to keep an eye on all deadlines. You should take care of the Online Learning Agreement, the Erasmus funding application and all other administrative steps as early as possible. This makes the whole process much less stressful. I would also recommend choosing your courses in advance and thinking carefully about which ones you really want to take. At the University of Valencia, course registration works on a first come, first served basis, so you have to be quick once registration opens. Therefore, it is helpful to already know your preferred courses beforehand. Another useful tip is to learn at least some basic words and phrases in the local language before your stay. In Valencia, not everyone speaks English, especially in everyday situations. Even basic Spanish skills can make it much easier to ask for help, understand information and feel more comfortable in daily life.

2. Accommodation

During my exchange semester, I lived in a shared flat with two other students from WU Vienna in the district of Ayora. I can definitely recommend this area, especially if your daily life mainly takes place around the university campus and Blasco Ibáñez. From Ayora, it is very easy and quick to get there by bike or even on foot. I also felt very safe in this area. The public transport connections are very good, with metro and bus options nearby, and getting around by bike is also very convenient. Another advantage is that you can reach both the beach and the city centre quite easily. In other exchange reports, districts such as Benimaclet or Russafa are often mentioned. Personally, I would not necessarily recommend them as much, because they are a bit further away from the university and from many Erasmus events. This means that you may spend more time commuting. For me, Ayora was a very good choice because it was practical, safe and well connected.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of the University of Valencia has a very good location and is easy to reach. I also liked the cafeteria, as the food was good and quite affordable. Another helpful aspect is that there is a doctor directly on campus, which can be very useful if you have any health issues during your stay. The structure of the courses is different from WU Vienna. Many courses are divided into a theoretical part and a practical part, so you should be prepared for a different teaching style and course organization. In terms of course recommendations, I can recommend the course Financial Management. On the other hand, I would personally not recommend Macroeconomics, as it was quite difficult to achieve good grades in this course.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Valencia was very enjoyable, and I felt very safe throughout my stay. I personally did not hear of anyone having serious difficulties or safety issues during the semester. Public transport in Valencia is also very good. There are buses, the metro, trams and also Valenbisi, which is a public bike-sharing system. I used the bike a lot, as it is a very convenient way to get around the city. Uber is also quite affordable compared to many other cities, so overall it is very easy to get from one place to another. I was also lucky enough to experience Las Fallas, which made my stay even more special. In general, the atmosphere in Valencia is very positive. People seemed more relaxed and cheerful than in Germany or Austria. You often see people spending time outside, talking to each other or older people meeting in the streets to play games such as boccia. This creates a very lively and welcoming atmosphere. There are also many sports opportunities in Valencia. You can find padel courts everywhere, often at quite affordable prices, as well as tennis courts, hockey facilities and many places to go swimming. Running is also great, especially because of the Turia Park, which is perfect for sports and spending time outside. All in all, everyday life in Valencia was one of the best parts of my exchange semester and made the whole experience abroad very special.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Valencia was a very special and unforgettable experience. I was able to travel to Morocco with my best friends, visit Mallorca and experience Las Fallas in Valencia, which was truly unique. Besides university, the many sports opportunities and the relaxed lifestyle made it easy to enjoy everyday life. Overall, Valencia was the perfect place for a semester abroad and I am very grateful for this time.