Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Looking back at the application process it is important to be aware of the academic requirements (e.g. GPA for some unis). Another tip is to research the interviewer you were allocated to. Every interviewer has a slightly different approach, and hearing from other students about their interview experiences might help. Some interviewers focus more on academic fit, while others care more about motivation or cultural awareness. Try to be well informed about all the universities that you listed. When preparing for the semester abroad itself, my biggest advice is to start early with all visa-related steps. Especially for destinations like the United States, the process can be time-consuming and sometimes unpredictable. Also make sure your passport is valid for long enough, check which documents you need and also plan for possible delays.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation turned out to be one of the more challenging parts of the preparation, especially when looking for something affordable. I initially decided against living on campus because I hadn’t heard many positive experiences. Looking back, though, friends who stayed there actually enjoyed it, so it might be a better option than I originally thought. I ended up renting an Airbnb for the entire semester. It was a shared house, but I had my own floor with a private bathroom, and only the kitchen was shared. I was really happy there, since the room was spacious, comfortable, and overall a great living situation. The only downside was the price, which was definitely on the higher side. Another good option in Pittsburgh that I heard of from friends is Skyvue Apartments, which are very nice but also quite expensive. I lived in South Oakland, which turned out to be a great location. It’s about a 15–20 minute walk to the university, making it very convenient. Even though the neighborhood doesn’t look particularly fancy, I always felt completely safe. It’s a mix of students and families, and I never had a single situation where I felt uncomfortable or unsafe. It’s really important to start your accommodation search early. If you apply for on-campus housing, be aware that it can take a very long time to get a response. This can be stressful because if you end up not getting a spot, many of the good Airbnb or rental options may already be gone. That said, almost all of my friends who applied for on-campus housing did eventually receive a place, so the university seems to try to accommodate everyone. Another possible route is checking Facebook groups for housing, but personally, I avoided it because I was worried about scams.

3. Academic life at host university

The University of Pittsburgh has a very large and spread-out campus in the Oakland area. Different academic fields are housed in different buildings, so you’ll likely have classes in several locations. The overall infrastructure is excellent. With the Pitt ID, students can use the city buses for free, and there are also other services included (e.g. free entry to museums). There are plenty of places to eat, free printers available across campus, and the library is modern, comfortable, and full of great study spaces. The academic culture differs quite a bit from WU Vienna. Overall, I found the courses less difficult in terms of content, but much more effort-intensive. Instead of relying heavily on one or two big exams, the grading is made up of many smaller components: essays, quizzes, weekly assignments, papers, participation etc. Even though some of these tasks may only contribute a small percentage to the grade, you still have to complete them to maintain a good overall score. The atmosphere in class is also more relaxed than what I was used to at WU. Students sometimes show up in sweatpants or pyjamas, and the general vibe is very casual. Teaching feels a bit more personal, especially because many courses are smaller. Most of my classes had around 30 students, which is comparable to a VUE at WU and gives you more direct interaction with the professor. Overall, while the academic difficulty might not be as high as at WU, the constant assignments make the workload quite intense. Still, studying in Pittsburgh was one of the best decisions I ever made. Also don't miss out on events like Homecoming or the Football games. The spirit and vibe there are crazy.

5. Every day life in the host country

Daily life in Pittsburgh was overall very convenient and enjoyable. Public transport is included with the Pitt ID, which makes getting around the different neighborhoods extremely easy. The bus system works well for most areas of the city, especially around Oakland, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside. In these neighborhoods, I always felt completely safe. The only places where I would recommend being more cautious are the South Side and downtown, especially at night. When it comes to social and leisure activities, Pittsburgh offers a surprising amount. Many museums are free with the Pitt ID and the Duquesne Incline is definitely worth a visit for its amazing view over the city. In summer, you can even go jet skiing on the river. Sports are a huge part of life in Pittsburgh. Attending University of Pittsburgh games is highly recommended - whether it’s football, basketball, volleyball, or soccer. The season pass for football is only around $40 and gives you access to all home games, which is a great deal. Beyond university sports, going to a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game is one of my top recommendations, and visiting a Pirates baseball game is also a nice experience. If you have some free weekends, it’s worth exploring areas outside the city as well. You can rent a car for a good price at Pittsburgh International Airport, which also has good connections to many U.S. cities, so longer trips are very doable, although flight prices can vary. The nightlife in Pittsburgh, especially in Oakland and the South Side, is very lively. There are many bars, student parties, and events going on throughout the week, so going out is a big part of student life here. During the holiday season, the city also sets up an ice rink and a small Christmas market in downtown.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Pittsburgh was one of the best experiences of my studies. I met amazing people, discovered a completely new academic culture, and learned a lot about myself while exploring a city I quickly grew to love. The combination of travel (which I did a lot), university life, and new friendships made this semester truly unforgettable.