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

So, in terms of housing I prepared best to look at the Facebook group, bc particularly in the spring term, there are many offers for off-campus housing and many people want to get rid of their apartment and you can negotiate prices. On-Campus is more expensive then. In terms of classes and all the preparation was more difficult, because the class registration did not work at 2am and I had to write my advisor in Oregon many times for that. Also, you cannot do any classes, you have to look it up on the system or ask your advisor in Oregon, if you have to submit some prior knowledge or something else I chose Oregon for 5th place and im glad I got there, it's very similar to Austria (climate, size, landscape) and I felt welcome the same day I arrived. Furthermore, in my preparation, I fill out the Pre-Recognition Notice, but this was also not easy, as you dont know beforehand, in which classes you will come into, since its not easy to get into all classes you want, there are limited places. But you can adjust that afterwards, by writing to their email.

2. Accommodation

Accommodation: For accommodation, I strongly recommend to search on the Facebook page they have, because many students there want to get rid of their apartment especially in spring term, so you can negotiate prices, it's very easy to get a place then. Accommodation type: I had a student residence, but off-campus. I strongly recommend off-campus, because it's way cheaper and you get good value for that. A student residence is a nice choice, bc there are many other students you can easily connect with and they show you everything there. I was at Yugo Easton. The management there is not good, as they would not let me check in without the Third Party Credit Score provider, but I talked to them as long as I had to so they let me check in, just promise them you pay some of your rent beforehand. The property itself though is very nice you have a whirlpool and a pool there its very cool you can even make a barbecue there. Also the Whirlpool is quite nice. The room was okay and the kitchen too, but it also depends in which house you are they can be a bit different. I was in a 4 people apartment and it was fine. The ventilator outside of the room can be a little noisy if you have the bad room of the 4, like I had. Location, safety and proximity to the university: It's not the nearest to campus, but the Beaver Bus takes you there easily and the normal bus station is also not very far. To the party locations though and the city itself it's very far. I often took these electric bikes to get home or go by foot, but it takes almost an hour from the city. So if you want one with a perfect location choose Sierra or the one on Madison Av/11th Street, it's near to everything, but the pool is nicer at Yugo Easton and also the local community there is very great. The best party though is on Monroe Av., I can recommend Summit, Clodfelter's, The Downward Dog and also in Downtown: Peacock and Squirrels. But nothing beats Summit, it's the best place.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus facilities and academic culture is way better than in Austria, there's happening so much on Campus, compared to Austria and people will be very friendly. The tests there are not so hard and you will have multiple choice tests. The teaching style is not fast and they explain everything good and slowly. They have a very good gym on the Campus, but it can be very crowded at times. I recommend doing Micro and Macro economics, like most exchange students do.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport: bad. only busses which run only every 30min. So completely normal in the US, you go everywhere by car. My recommendation, do it better than me and get a bike. Safety: its fine. Once we were at a Beaver Lodge party and one American had a gun, but the police came with 5 cars and arrested him. In such cases leave the party like we did and take care of you. Social/leisure: Bars: The Downward Dog, Clodfelter's, Summit, Peacock, Squirrels, Harrisons Sport: Dixon Recreation Center or the Yugo Easton Gym, Volleyball Places, etc. Events: Many different on campus, like flea markets and events to get to know clubs and things like that You can also join clubs, but I dont know if it really pays off for only 2 1/2 months, so better do pac courses

6. Testimonial

The most important thing is: Be everywhere. Be interested. Take part in as many activities as possible. What really makes your exchange feel special are the people you gonna meet. If you visit only some, make sure to visit the first events organized by the advisor, you will meet all your exchange students from Austria there, too. Talk to as many students as possible and enjoy your time.