Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I searched for flights on Opodo because it gave me a broad overview of the available options. I booked my flights about four to five months in advance, which allowed me to find reasonably priced flights with only one stop each way. In total, my round-trip flights cost approximately €650. After arriving in Portland, I recommend taking a FlixBus to Corvallis. Depending on your flight schedule, it may also be worth spending one night in a hotel in Portland before continuing your journey. Sometimes flights that arrive at less convenient times are significantly cheaper, and the savings can easily outweigh the cost of a hotel stay.

2. Accommodation

I lived at the iHouse during my exchange. If I were to do it all over again, I would probably choose a cheaper place to stay and look for a townhouse or apartment during my first or second week in Corvallis. I would not recommend living on campus, especially not at the iHouse. It is quite expensive, and there is not much going on compared to living off campus. Most OSU students try to move out of the campus residence halls after their first year, which says a lot about the housing options. Instead, I recommend checking Facebook Marketplace for available townhouses and apartments. Many rooms become available shortly before the start of the term or even during the first weeks. A good strategy is to book accommodation for your first week or two—whether at the iHouse or another place in Corvallis—and then search for a townhouse or apartment to share with other students once you arrive. This gives you the opportunity to see the different options in person, meet potential roommates, and usually save a considerable amount of money.

3. Academic life at host university

The teaching style at Oregon State University is much more interactive than what I was used to. Throughout the term, you complete various assignments, projects, and quizzes that often contribute just as much to your final grade as the exams. This continuous assessment encourages you to stay engaged with the material and helps reduce the pressure of relying on a single final exam. I particularly enjoyed how the courses encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and active participation rather than simply memorizing textbook content. The focus is on understanding concepts and applying them to real-world situations, making the learning experience much more engaging. I would especially recommend taking Microeconomics and Macroeconomics during your exchange, as well as choosing courses that genuinely interest you. Studying subjects you are passionate about makes the experience even more rewarding and allows you to benefit the most from the different teaching approach.

5. Every day life in the host country

You will probably not need to rely on public transportation very much if you connect with other students. The international student community is very active, and people are usually eager to go on weekend trips and explore Oregon together. Some exchange students stay for multiple terms and have access to a car and a driver's license, making it easy to organize trips to places such as the coast, national parks, or nearby cities. I highly recommend participating in the Welcome Days at the beginning of the term. They are a great opportunity to meet other exchange students, make friends quickly, and find people to travel and spend time with throughout the semester. For sports and recreational activities, Oregon State University offers an excellent range of options. Many of the Physical Activity Courses (PAC classes) even award ECTS credits, making them a great addition to your study plan. While some courses require a small one-time fee, the variety is impressive—you can choose from activities such as surfing, horseback riding, mountain climbing, and many more. I would definitely recommend signing up for at least one PAC class, as they are a fun way to stay active, try something new, and meet students with similar interests.

6. Testimonial

Overall, my exchange semester was an incredible learning experience. It gave me the opportunity to improve my English skills, gain confidence in an international environment, and grow both academically and personally. Living and studying in such a different setting pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to meet people from all over the world. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone considering studying abroad.