Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

1. Preparation for the Exchange Semester About Me My name is Benjamin Saletu, I am 21 years old, and I study at WU Vienna. I have long dreamed of studying in the United States, and the fall semester 2025 at UIUC was the perfect opportunity to make this dream a reality. Preparation Before Departure The Cross-Cultural Competence Course Before my departure, I completed the Cross-Cultural Competence course at WU Vienna. This course provided valuable insights into American culture, communication styles, and academic expectations. Although the course was helpful in developing a basic understanding of what to expect, the real learning came only here on-site, where I had to engage with the American university system firsthand. The Visa Process – A Challenging Experience One of the most stressful aspects of my preparation was navigating the visa process. At the time I wanted to apply for my J-1 student visa, the U.S. government introduced a temporary restriction on new visa issuances. This led to significant uncertainty—until my departure, I was unsure whether I would even be able to go to UIUC or not. This uncertainty made planning very difficult, especially regarding finding accommodation. My honest advice: Start the visa process as early as possible. The process can be lengthy, and policy changes or delays can quickly become problematic. Stay informed about current visa regulations and have a backup plan if necessary. Housing Search – Private or University Accommodation Because of the visa uncertainty, I delayed committing to any housing solution until I was sure I could travel. Ultimately, I decided to go with private accommodation instead of on-campus housing, which I would recommend to future students. My Housing Decision I found an apartment together with a friend who also studies at WU Vienna. Having a familiar person from home nearby made the transition much easier—both emotionally and practically. We signed a lease for a private apartment near the UIUC campus. The Challenge of Timing However, because we started our housing search much too late, we could only sign a 12-month lease, even though we will only be here for one semester. This creates a significant problem for the remaining months of the year—we now need to find someone to take over the apartment, which has proven to be difficult and expensive. My advice for future students: Start your housing search as early as possible—ideally three to four months before your arrival. Consider both on-campus housing and private accommodation options. If you sign a lease for a longer period than your actual stay, factor in subletting costs—you may even need to pay someone to take over the apartment. Living with roommates, whether from home or other international students, can make the transition phase much easier and less lonely. Packing – Less is More I made the mistake of packing far too much. I brought way too many clothes and items, thinking I would need more variety than I actually do. What I Learned UIUC and the surrounding area have excellent shopping options such as a large mall, second-hand stores, Target, and Walmart. Washing machines and dryers are available everywhere. American clothing sizes and styles are accessible and affordable. You can buy seasonal items after your arrival if necessary. My recommendation: Pack light. Bring only about one week's worth of clothes, necessary toiletries, and important documents. Buy what you need after your arrival. This saves luggage space, baggage fees, and unnecessary stress. Course Selection and Academic Planning Before my arrival, I had to select my courses online through the UIUC course management system. This required careful planning because course selection directly affects your workload and schedule. Important considerations: Research the difficulty level of courses before you enroll. Check the lecture times—some courses have early morning sessions, others in the evening. Consider your personal study habits and energy levels when planning your schedule. Balance difficult courses with easier ones. Check prerequisites and special requirements. My advice: Don't commit yourself too much academically. Adapting to a new country, a new university system, and a new social environment requires mental energy. A moderate workload allows you to achieve excellent academic results while also enjoying your exchange experience. Health and Vaccination Requirements Before my arrival at UIUC, I had to upload my complete vaccination record to the university health portal. This is a mandatory requirement. What you need to do: Collect all your vaccination documents, especially your COVID-19 vaccination records. Make sure your documents are in English or officially translated. Upload them to the health portal before your arrival. Check whether UIUC requires any additional vaccinations beyond what you have already received. Consider getting recommended vaccinations before departure if this is easier to arrange in Austria. My recommendation: Complete this step early. Medical records can sometimes take a long time to obtain, and you don't want this to delay your enrollment or arrival. Summary: Key Takeaways for Future Students The preparation phase is crucial. While challenges such as visa restrictions are beyond your control, proper planning in terms of housing, studies, and health requirements can significantly reduce stress and prepare you for a successful exchange semester. The visa process requires early planning and patience. Your housing search should begin at least three to four months before your arrival, and you should factor in subletting costs. Pack light and buy what you need after your arrival. Choose your courses strategically and balance difficult courses with easier ones. Submit your vaccination documents early to avoid delays.

2. Accommodation

2. Finding Accommodation On-Campus Housing vs. Private Housing When it comes to accommodation at UIUC, students have two main options: on-campus housing in dormitories or private accommodation off-campus. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice largely depends on your personal preferences and priorities. One of my best friends decided to live in a dormitory on campus. He shared a very small room with another student. While this option allows for easy access to campus facilities and a built-in social community, it requires a certain comfort level with limited personal space. Dorm living definitely isn't for everyone. If you are someone who values privacy and personal space, or if you are easily disturbed by noise and activity, I would not recommend on-campus housing. The rooms are typically quite small, and you will be sharing space with a roommate in close quarters. My own experience with private accommodation was much more positive. Living off-campus gave me more space, privacy, and independence. However, private housing comes with its own set of responsibilities, such as finding reliable roommates, handling lease agreements, and managing utilities and rent payments. Location Matters – Choose Wisely One of the most important factors in your housing decision is location. Where you choose to live will significantly impact your daily experience at UIUC. The Champaign-Urbana area offers different living environments, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Living in Champaign (Downtown Area) If you choose to live in downtown Champaign, you will find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment options. The area is vibrant and lively, with constant activity and social opportunities. However, this comes at a cost. Downtown Champaign is noisy and busy, with little green space. The constant activity and noise can make it difficult to relax and unwind after a long day of classes and studying. If you are someone who needs a quiet environment to focus on your studies or simply wants to recharge, downtown Champaign may not be the best choice for you. Living in Urbana (Quieter Alternative) In contrast, Urbana is a much quieter and more peaceful area. There is more green space, fewer crowds, and a calmer atmosphere overall. This makes it an ideal location if you prefer a quieter environment and want to minimize distractions. I chose to live in Urbana, and I found it to be an excellent choice for my studies and well-being. The downside is that Urbana is somewhat removed from the main campus and the bustling downtown area. However, the bus system is reliable and efficient, so getting around is not a major problem. You will just need to accept that travel times are longer compared to living closer to campus. The Challenge of Subleasing As I mentioned earlier, my friend and I signed a 12-month lease even though we would only be here for one semester. This created a significant challenge for us: we needed to find someone to sublet the apartment for the remaining months after we leave. Subleasing turned out to be much more difficult and expensive than we initially anticipated. Finding a reliable subletter is not easy. You need to advertise your apartment, vet potential tenants, and negotiate terms. Many subletters expect a discount on the monthly rent, which means you may end up paying money out of pocket to get someone to take over your lease. Additionally, you need to ensure that your subletter is trustworthy and will take care of the apartment in your absence. This adds stress and uncertainty during your final weeks before departure. My advice: If at all possible, try to sign a lease that matches your actual length of stay. If you must sign a longer lease, start looking for subletters very early—ideally several months in advance. Be prepared for the possibility that you may need to offer a discount or even pay someone to take over your lease. Factor these costs into your overall housing budget from the beginning. My Recommendation Think carefully about your personality and what kind of environment helps you thrive. If you are social and enjoy being in the middle of the action, downtown Champaign might appeal to you despite the noise. If you are more introverted or need a quiet space to focus on your studies, Urbana is the better choice, as it was for me. In either case, make sure you understand the trade-offs: proximity to campus and entertainment versus peace and quiet. And always plan your lease length carefully to avoid the subleasing headaches that my friend and I experienced.

3. Academic life at host university

3. Academic Life at the Host University Infrastructure and Support The academic infrastructure at UIUC is excellent. The university provides students with comprehensive support systems and resources to help them succeed in their studies. All professors are very approachable and helpful. They maintain regular office hours and are genuinely interested in supporting their students. This openness and accessibility made it easy for me to seek help whenever I needed clarification on course material or had questions about assignments. The university uses Canvas as its learning management system, just like WU Vienna does. This meant that there was no major adjustment needed in terms of how courses are organized and how materials are distributed. Canvas makes it easy to access lecture notes, submit assignments, and check grades all in one place. Teaching Style and Course Structure The teaching style at UIUC is very different from what I was used to in Vienna, and I found it much more appealing. Rather than traditional lecture-based courses, most classes at UIUC are highly interactive and discussion-based. Everything is very personal, and there is a strong emphasis on active participation and engagement from students. Quizzes are a regular part of the coursework. Many of my professors gave frequent quizzes throughout the semester to keep students on track and ensure they were staying up to date with the material. This system actually works well because it forces you to study consistently rather than cramming everything at the last minute before an exam. The quiz-based approach helped me maintain steady progress through my courses. Difficulty Level and Workload The difficulty level of courses at UIUC varies significantly. Some of my courses were quite easy and straightforward, while others were significantly more challenging and demanding. However, overall, I found the courses at UIUC to be somewhat easier than what I experienced at WU Vienna. This might be due to differences in how grades are calculated and how much credit is given for continuous work throughout the semester. There are many homework assignments and problem sets. Additionally, class participation and continuous work count significantly toward your final grade in most courses. This is very different from the WU system, where your final grade is often determined almost entirely by a single exam at the end of the semester. At UIUC, professors reward consistent effort and engagement throughout the course. Teaching Format: Discussion-Based, Not Lectures All of my courses were taught in a discussion and exercise-based format rather than traditional lectures. This means there is no sitting passively in large lecture halls listening to professors talk for hours. Instead, classes are interactive, with students actively participating in discussions, solving problems together, and asking questions. This format keeps you engaged and makes learning more dynamic and interesting. Attendance is mandatory or at least strongly encouraged in most classes. Professors take attendance seriously, and missing classes can negatively affect your grade through participation points. This is very different from some European universities where attendance is optional. Presentations and Group Work Presentations are a major component of almost every course at UIUC. You will likely have to give multiple presentations throughout the semester, either individually or as part of a group project. This emphasis on presentations helps develop your communication and public speaking skills, which are valuable in any career. Group work is also very common. Many assignments and projects are designed to be completed in teams. While group work can sometimes be challenging—especially when coordinating schedules with other students—it does mirror real-world work environments where collaboration is essential. Group work also helped me build relationships with other students and made the learning experience more social and enjoyable. My Overall Assessment The academic experience at UIUC was very positive. The combination of interactive teaching, regular quizzes, homework assignments, and group work creates an engaging and dynamic learning environment. The approachable professors and excellent infrastructure make it easy to succeed. While the courses are somewhat easier than at WU Vienna, the emphasis on continuous work and active participation means you still need to put in consistent effort throughout the semester. The teaching style and course structure were one of the highlights of my exchange experience, and I would encourage future students to embrace this more interactive and discussion-based approach to learning.

5. Every day life in the host country

5. Everyday Life in the Host Country Sports and Recreation Opportunities One of the most amazing aspects of studying at UIUC is the incredible variety of sports and recreational opportunities available to students. The university and the surrounding Champaign-Urbana area offer facilities and programs that far exceed what I was used to in Vienna. The recreational sports facilities at UIUC are absolutely massive. The main recreation center has thousands of basketball courts, a large swimming pool, an outdoor pool, and countless other facilities. I spent a significant amount of time there throughout the semester, taking advantage of everything the university had to offer. My Sports Journey During the summer months and into October, I played golf and tennis almost every week. The weather was perfect for outdoor sports, and the courses and courts in the area are excellent. I also discovered pickleball during my time here, which became one of my favorite activities. It is an easy sport to learn but surprisingly fun and competitive, and I found the pickleball community at UIUC to be very welcoming. I went to the gym regularly and found it to be an exceptional facility with modern equipment and plenty of space. Beyond the main gym activities, I also enjoyed using the massage chairs, which helped me relax and recover after intense workouts or long days of studying. Balancing Sports with Academics My schedule allowed me to dedicate significant time to sports and recreation. I had classes from Monday to Thursday, which meant I had some flexibility in when I could exercise. However, on Tuesday and Thursday, I only had one class, which made it challenging to schedule sports around my limited class time. On Monday and Wednesday, I had four classes, which made the schedule quite tight. Despite these scheduling constraints, I still managed to find plenty of time to pursue my sports interests and stay active. Social Activities and Nightlife Beyond sports, I made the most of my time in Champaign-Urbana by spending time with friends and exploring the social scene. The city has an excellent nightlife with many cool bars and clubs to explore. Going out to bars with friends became a regular weekend activity, and there is always something happening on the weekend. I also went out to eat frequently. Champaign-Urbana has a diverse food scene with restaurants offering cuisines from all around the world. Whether it was casual dining or nicer restaurants, there were always plenty of options to choose from. Travel and Exploration One of my main goals during my exchange semester was to see as much of America as possible. I took advantage of my semester breaks and weekends to travel to different parts of the country. Traveling around the United States gave me a much deeper understanding of American culture, geography, and the incredible diversity of different regions. Other Activities and Entertainment Beyond sports and eating out, there were many other fun activities to enjoy. Bowling, beach volleyball, and soccer were all available and fun to do with friends. I tried as many different activities as possible and found that the Champaign-Urbana area and the broader Midwest region offer a surprising variety of entertainment options. University Sports Events One of the highlights of my exchange experience was attending university sports events. UIUC has a strong sports culture, and attending football, basketball, volleyball, and ice hockey games became a regular part of my social life. The atmosphere at these events is absolutely incredible. The stadiums are packed with passionate fans, the energy is electric, and the experience of being part of such a large crowd cheering for the home team is something I will never forget. These events are massive, and attending them gave me a real sense of what American college sports culture is all about. Summary Everyday life in Champaign-Urbana was filled with countless opportunities for sports, socializing, and exploration. The combination of excellent recreational facilities, a vibrant social scene, and access to travel opportunities made my exchange semester incredibly fulfilling. Whether it was staying active through sports, enjoying time with friends, or exploring different parts of America, there was never a dull moment. The experiences I had outside the classroom were just as valuable as my academic learning, and I would encourage future exchange students to take full advantage of everything the UIUC community and the surrounding region have to offer.

6. Testimonial

My semester at UIUC has been an incredible experience that exceeded all my expectations. The outstanding sports facilities, amazing new friendships, and unforgettable memories from traveling across America are things that no one can ever take away from me. I have always wanted to experience true American college life, and I can honestly say that it is not that different from what you see in the movies—the energy, the passion at sports events, the vibrant social scene, and the sense of community are all exactly as I imagined. From playing golf and tennis in the summer, to attending massive football and basketball games with thousands of passionate fans, to exploring different parts of the United States with friends, every moment has been special and meaningful. The combination of excellent academics, world-class recreational facilities, and an incredibly welcoming community made this semester truly unforgettable. I came to UIUC to pursue a dream, and I am leaving with so much more than I expected—lifelong friendships, incredible memories, and a deeper appreciation for American culture. I would absolutely recommend this exchange experience to any student considering studying abroad. It has been one of the best decisions of my life.