Details

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

1. Preparation

I travelled to Paris by train and then continued to Bordeaux, which I can highly recommend. The journey to Paris took around seven hours, followed by another three hours to Bordeaux. It was a comfortable and convenient way to travel and also a more sustainable alternative to flying.

2. Accommodation

I lived alone in a private apartment during my exchange. Finding accommodation was relatively straightforward, but the main challenge was finding a French guarantor, which was required for the rental contract. If you do not have family or friends in France who can act as a guarantor, there are platforms that offer this service for a fee. I would recommend looking into these options early, as arranging the guarantor can take some time.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is not quite as modern or attractive as WU Vienna and is located further outside the city centre. The academic culture was good, with a more sporty and relaxed atmosphere, which I found very enjoyable. Compared to WU, the teaching style was more practically oriented and focused more on applying concepts to real-world situations. For course recommendations, I particularly enjoyed International Politics, which I found very interesting and engaging. I would not recommend Luxury Marketing as much.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Bordeaux is very good and makes it easy to get around the city. Regarding safety at night, some of my female friends felt rather uncomfortable in certain situations, while I personally felt that it was generally fine. There are many bars and plenty of cool events, so there are lots of opportunities to socialise and meet other students. For sports, I particularly recommend joining the university football team, which was a great way to stay active and meet people.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Bordeaux was a very special experience, mainly because of the people I met, the city, and the French culture. I particularly enjoyed the food and the many opportunities to travel to exciting destinations nearby. Overall, it was a great combination of studying, discovering a new culture, and making unforgettable memories.