Details

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

1. Preparation

### Preparation for the exchange Overall, I felt that both WU and LUISS provided as much support as possible throughout the preparation process. However, there were still some uncertainties that only became clear closer to the start of the semester. For example, I was unsure whether I would get into my preferred courses and how the course registration process would work. The application process itself was straightforward. I attended the information sessions organized by WU and two by Luiss , which answered most of my questions and made the application easy to complete. Course registration at LUISS is based on a first come, first served system. In my experience, it is generally easier to get into courses than at WU, but I would still recommend registering as soon as the system opens, especially if you are interested in popular courses. It is also a good idea to have one or two alternative course options prepared. I wish I had known in advance about the exam period. LUISS offers two exam sessions. It is possible to complete all exams during the first session—I took all four of my exams in the first week without any problems. However, if you spread your exams across both sessions, taking five or even six courses is definitely manageable. Knowing this earlier would have helped me plan my semester differently.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was probably one of the most challenging parts of preparing for my exchange. I found my apartment through Spotahome. Although you have to pay a one-time service fee, I found it to be a safe and reliable platform, and the whole process worked well for me. I would strongly recommend starting your accommodation search as early as possible. Good apartments close to the university are in high demand, and waiting until the last minute can make the search much more stressful. It is also worth thinking in advance about how long you want to stay, especially since LUISS has two exam sessions. Many exchange students leave after the first exam session at the end of May, but there are still plenty of students who stay for the second session, so there is still a good social atmosphere. I shared my apartment with a friend. Rent was definitely more expensive than what I was used to paying in Vienna, but living very close to the university was absolutely worth it. Public buses in Rome can be unreliable and commuting often takes much longer than expected. Being able to walk to campus made everyday life much easier. In terms of location, I would highly recommend looking for accommodation close to the university, especially in the areas around Villa Borghese or Villa Ada. These neighborhoods felt safe, and I was comfortable walking home alone even at night. On the other hand, I would not recommend staying near Termini, particularly if you expect to be out in the evenings.

3. Academic life at host university

The LUISS campus is very modern and offers a great atmosphere. During the warmer months, I especially enjoyed studying or spending breaks outside, as there are many outdoor seating areas. One downside is that there are relatively few comfortable indoor study spaces at the main campus. During winter, I often preferred studying at home because the indoor areas were quite crowded and noisy. LUISS has several campuses, but if you study business, most of your classes will take place at the main campus. Compared to WU, there is a much stronger focus on continuous assessment. Most courses include group projects, presentations, class participation, and midterm assignments, meaning your final grade often depends on several components rather than just one final exam. Group work plays a significant role, and in many cases, your grade depends on the performance of the entire group. One thing I really appreciated was how welcoming the local students were. Although many of them already knew each other, I found it easy to integrate. For one of my group projects, I simply asked three Italian students if I could join their group, and they immediately included me and made me feel welcome. Of course, group work always depends on the people you are assigned to. I had one group that worked very well together and another where the collaboration was more challenging. The professors were approachable, supportive, and encouraged participation in class. The teaching style was generally more interactive than at WU. One difference I noticed is that LUISS is less transparent and organized than WU. At WU, course requirements, grading criteria, and expectations are usually communicated very clearly from the beginning. At LUISS, I sometimes found it difficult to know exactly what to expect, and information was occasionally communicated at short notice. However, this did not significantly affect my overall experience, and I believe both universities have their own strengths and weaknesses. Overall, I really enjoyed studying at LUISS and would recommend it to future exchange students, especially if they are looking for a more interactive learning environment and the opportunity to work closely with both international and local students.

5. Every day life in the host country

One of the biggest challenges of everyday life in Rome was the public transportation system. Buses are often delayed, and waiting 30–40 minutes is not unusual. Sometimes buses do not arrive at all, which makes getting around the city quite unpredictable. Especially in the evenings, public transport can be inconvenient, so I often relied on Uber or taxis, which can become expensive over time. I always felt safe in the neighborhood where I lived, especially since I chose accommodation close to the university. I was comfortable walking home alone at night in that area. However, as in any large city, I would recommend being more cautious in other parts of Rome, particularly around Termini late in the evening. There are many social activities for international students. Several organizations offer Erasmus events, especially at the beginning of the semester, which can be a great way to meet people during your first weeks in Rome. Personally, these events were not really my style, and after the first weeks I preferred spending time with the friends I had already met. I also found that many participants already knew each other, so the events became less relevant for me as the semester progressed. However, I know that other exchange students really enjoyed them, so I would still recommend attending a few events at the beginning to build your network. In my free time, I especially enjoyed going for runs, as Rome offers many beautiful parks and scenic routes. Many students also joined local gyms, making it easy to stay active during the semester.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at LUISS was one of the most rewarding experiences of my studies. I not only gained valuable academic insights but also met amazing people from all over the world and experienced the unique lifestyle of Rome. Living in such a vibrant city while studying at an international university made this semester truly unforgettable.