Details

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

1. Preparation

I recommend starting the visa preparation as early as possible. After receiving the nomination from WU, I contacted the Brazilian Embassy to find out which documents were required for the student visa. Although the application can only be submitted after receiving the acceptance letter from FGV, I used the waiting time to gather all the other necessary documents. As I am not an Austrian citizen, I also needed documents from my home country, such as my birth certificate. Once I had everything ready, the visa process itself was straightforward and took only about one week. For the flight, I recommend booking a flexible return ticket if possible. Many exchange students decided to extend their stay after the semester to travel around Brazil or South America.

2. Accommodation

Most exchange students choose between renting an Airbnb or staying in a student residence. Airbnbs often offer great amenities such as a pool, gym, or rooftop terrace, but they are usually more expensive. All WU bachelor exchange students in my semester stayed at Uliving Paulista, which is also one of the most popular accommodations among exchange students from other universities. It offers different room types, ranging from a small room without a kitchen to a private studio. While the rooms are relatively small, this was not an issue for me since I spent most of my time outside. I would not recommend paying extra for a room with a private kitchen. It takes up a considerable amount of space, and you have to buy your own cooking utensils. Instead, each floor has a fully equipped communal kitchen with everything you need. The location of Uliving Paulista was another major advantage. It is within walking distance of FGV and right next to Shopping Pátio Paulista, where you can find everything you need for daily life. It is also only a short walk from Avenida Paulista, one of the city's main avenues with countless restaurants, cafés, shops, and cultural attractions. Uliving is a great choice because you live with both Brazilian and international students, making it easy to meet new people. The residence also offers a co-working space, a rooftop terrace, a volleyball court, and regularly organizes social events.

3. Academic life at host university

FGV has a city campus that is much smaller than WU Vienna, but it is modern and easily accessible. The campus offers several cafeterias, a small convenience store, a library, and outdoor seating areas that are great for studying or spending time with friends between classes. Overall, I found the courses to be less demanding than those at WU. However, I recommend checking previous exchange reports, as some courses are known to be more challenging than others. The academic year is divided into Module 1 and Module 2, with some courses lasting only half a semester while others run throughout the entire semester. When selecting your courses, I recommend balancing your workload across both modules instead of concentrating too many courses in one half of the semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

I really enjoyed living in São Paulo. As one of the largest cities in the world, it has so much to offer that it never gets boring. There are countless museums, cultural events, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife, so there is always something to do. Although Uber is much cheaper than in Vienna, the costs can add up over the course of a semester. Therefore, I recommend applying for the local student transportation card. The application process can be a bit complicated, but once you have it, a bus or metro ride costs less than €0.50. São Paulo's public transport network is clean and efficient, making it easy to get around the city. Brazilians are also very active, and sports play an important role in everyday life. One of my favorite places was Ibirapuera Park, which is perfect for running, walking, or simply relaxing.

6. Testimonial

I really enjoyed my exchange semester in São Paulo. The city is not only a great place to live but also an excellent base for exploring the rest of Brazil and South America. My favorite part was experiencing the Brazilian culture (especially during the World Cup), while meeting people from Brazil and all over the world. It was truly an unforgettable experience.