Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Before starting my exchange, I made sure to actively prepare myself rather than just wait for things to fall into place. I reached out to fellow students who had already done an exchange in London to get first-hand insights into what to expect, both academically and in terms of everyday life. This helped me get a realistic picture in advance and avoid some common surprises. I would strongly recommend future outgoing students to do the same, since talking to people who have already been at your host university (or even the same city) is one of the most valuable ways to prepare, as official information often doesn't cover the practical, day-to-day details. Beyond that, I made it a point to actively plan things ahead of time, from organizing key documents to thinking through logistics, instead of leaving everything until shortly before departure. My advice: start early, be proactive, and don't underestimate how much smoother the transition goes if you've already sorted out the basics before arriving.

2. Accommodation

The accommodation search wasn't easy at first, as the university's own student residences were already full by the time I applied, and finding a place in an unfamiliar city within a roughly three-month window was quite stressful. In the end, together with other students from Vienna, I found accommodation through reputable websites that list verified student residences, which made the process considerably easier and gave me more confidence in the offer. Accommodation type: Private student residence (found via a third-party platform, not the university's own halls) Location, safety, and proximity to the university: I lived in Elephant and Castle, about a 20-minute commute to the university by public transport. The location was good, though not excellent, and I felt safe in the area throughout my stay. Tips I wish I'd known beforehand: Apply for the university's own student residences as early as possible, since spots fill up quickly. If you don't get one, stick to well-known, reputable platforms for private student accommodation rather than random listings, and try to team up with other exchange students during the search, both for support and to split viewings/logistics.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus facilities at City St George's were good overall, though noticeably smaller and quieter compared to WU Vienna. Simply due to WU's size, there is much more going on there, more student life, more events, and generally a livelier campus atmosphere. In terms of academic culture, I found students at City to be less actively engaged than at WU, both in class discussions and in general campus life outside of lectures. Because of this, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the specific courses I took, as I felt the overall level of engagement and interaction didn't quite match what I was used to from Vienna.

5. Every day life in the host country

London is an incredibly vibrant city with an almost overwhelming number of things to do, from cultural events and sports to nightlife and leisure activities of every kind. Public transport is extensive and reliable, making it easy to get around and explore different parts of the city. In terms of safety, I personally always felt safe during my time there, though London obviously has areas that are less safe than others, so it's worth doing a bit of research on neighborhoods beforehand, especially when choosing where to live.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in London was a mix of exciting city life and valuable personal growth. While academic life at City St George's didn't fully match the vibrant atmosphere I was used to at WU, living in such a dynamic, opportunity-rich city more than made up for it. The biggest highlight was discovering how much a global city like London has to offer, and learning, sometimes the hard way, how important it is to proactively build connections rather than wait for them to happen. I'm returning with a stronger sense of independence and a clearer idea of how to make the most of new environments in the future.