Details

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

1. Preparation

One important requirement for students going on exchange from WU is the course "Cross-Cultural Competence", which has to be completed one semester before your stay abroad. I would definitely recommend planning this early, as it is mandatory and part of the preparation process for studying abroad. In addition, students need to apply for a visa in order to study in the United States. In my opinion, it is crucial to start the visa process as early as possible. Before applying for the J-1 visa, students first need to receive the DS-2019 document from the partner university. This document requires several supporting materials, including a financial statement or proof of sufficient funds from a bank. Since collecting and submitting all required documents can take a considerable amount of time, starting the visa process early helps to avoid unnecessary stress and delays.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was quite challenging, as most off-campus housing complexes only offer leases for a full year rather than for one semester. Since I did not want to sublease, I decided to live at "The Nine", an off-campus student housing complex. On-campus housing was not an option for exchange students, which further limited the available choices. The leasing process itself was, in my experience, rather exhausting and time-consuming. There were many steps involved, and the communication sometimes required patience. In addition, the student residence required a security deposit equivalent to two months’ rent. This deposit could only be refunded by check and had to be sent to a U.S. address, which required additional planning after the end of the stay. In terms of location and safety, I felt very comfortable and safe throughout my stay. The student residence was well located, and there was a shuttle bus running directly from the complex to the university campus every 15 minutes. This was extremely convenient, especially since I did not have a car. By car, the commute to campus took around 7 minutes, while the shuttle ride took approximately 20 minutes due to multiple stops along the way.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at the University of Central Florida is extremely large. Due to its size, many students use e-scooters to get from one building to another, which highlights how expansive the campus is. There are two different business buildings; however, all of my courses took place in the Business Administration I building, which I found to be very modern, well-organized, and pleasant to study in. Only one of my courses was located in a different, non-business building. The business buildings are located very close to the shuttle bus station, which made them easy and convenient to access. In comparison to courses at WU Vienna, the academic structure at UCF is quite different. Most courses include a high level of continuous assessment, such as presentations, quizzes, tests, and class participation. The final grade is usually spread across multiple components rather than depending mainly on one large final exam, as is sometimes the case at WU. Group work played a major role in all of my courses. This made it very easy to meet new people, and over the course of the semester, several of my group members became close friends. However, it is also possible to have less motivated groups, in which case you may end up doing a large part of the work alone if you aim for a good grade, as group assignments often make up a significant portion of the final grade. The professors were very approachable and personal, and they genuinely cared about their students. It was always possible to talk to them openly, which created a supportive and motivating learning environment.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation in the area was, in my experience, quite poor. Although there are buses available and they are free with a UCF student ID, they were often unreliable and very limited in terms of routes and frequency. For this reason, everyday mobility without a car can be challenging. The area around UCF felt very safe, and I never felt uncomfortable walking around. The campus also has its own police department, which can be contacted at any time if you feel unsafe, although I personally never had to use this service. UCF’s campus offers many options for leisure and social activities. There is a swimming pool, a large fitness center, and numerous fast food spots directly on campus. The library is extremely modern and provides a wide range of study spaces as well as study rooms, which can be reserved free of charge with a student ID. During the fall semester, football games are a major highlight and play an important role in campus life and student culture.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at the University of Central Florida was an incredibly enriching and unforgettable experience. It was surprisingly easy to meet new people, as the culture was very different from what I was used to. Students and locals alike were extremely friendly, open, and respectful. I truly believe that an exchange semester is a unique opportunity to make friends for life. Academically, it was very interesting to experience a different teaching style, with a strong focus on interactive learning, presentations, and group work. Seeing familiar topics from a new perspective made studying both engaging and rewarding. While the administrative paperwork can be quite time-consuming and stressful, it is absolutely worth it in the end. Overall, I had an amazing time and would highly recommend an exchange semester to other students. In addition, UCF regularly organized events and competitions where students could participate and connect with entrepreneurs, which made the experience even more valuable beyond the classroom.