Details

• United States of America
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

The application process was quite straightforward. I mainly prioritized reading experience reports from other students and checking the university’s website to get a good overview of UNC and the exchange program. If specific questions come up, future students are welcome to contact me via my WU student email (h12436347@s.wu.ac.at). After being accepted for the exchange, the organization on the home university side worked very well. I received all relevant information from the exchange coordinator, Patricia Collins, especially regarding administrative topics such as health insurance. Overall, the preparation process was clear and easy to manage.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation at UNC was overall a positive experience. There is a limited amount of on campus housing, but almost all exchange students in my group received a place. We stayed at Baity Hill on Mason Farm Road. Everyone had their own room and shared a kitchen and bathroom with one other person. The apartments were spacious and offered more than enough room for everyday student life. The location is very close to the MBA campus and only about a five minute walk to the Business School. Shops and bars are a bit further away, but Chapel Hill has free buses running almost all night, so getting around was never an issue. The area felt very safe and I never had any problems regarding security. The apartments are partly furnished and include all basic necessities. In some cases, previous students leave items behind. One tip I wish I had known earlier is to ask the exchange coordinator, Patricia Collins, whether she can connect you with former residents. They sometimes leave things for free or sell them at a low price, which makes settling in much easier.

3. Academic life at host university

There are free buses running day and night within Chapel Hill, which makes getting around campus and the surrounding areas easy. For short distances, ride sharing services usually replace public transport. However, if you want to travel outside of Chapel Hill, the overall infrastructure becomes less convenient compared to European standards. The academic culture is more interactive and discussion focused. Many classes follow a flat device policy, meaning laptops and tablets are only allowed if they are kept flat on the desk and used strictly for note taking. In general, writing with pen and paper is preferred. Participation plays a major role, and open discussions are strongly encouraged. Cold calling is common in many courses, so students are expected to be well prepared and actively engaged. There are fewer traditional written exams than at WU Vienna. Grades are usually based on attendance, class participation, presentations, essays, and take home exams. In terms of academic difficulty, I would say the overall level felt slightly lower than at WU. That said, the emphasis on discussion, communication skills, and active involvement in class is much stronger and shapes the learning experience in a different way.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Chapel Hill was easy to manage and very enjoyable. Public transportation within Chapel Hill is free, which makes daily life much more convenient. For longer distances or trips outside the town, public transport is more limited, so services like Uber or Lyft are very common and relatively affordable. Chapel Hill itself felt very safe. During trips to other cities, the safety situation depended more on the area, which is something to be aware of in the US in general. Around Baity Hill, there are many sports facilities such as tennis, basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts, as well as a golf course. In general, there are plenty of opportunities for sports, leisure activities, and events. One highlight was “Carolina Casual,” a weekly Thursday event organized by a student club, where exchange and local students met either on campus or in bars. There was often free food and sometimes activities like karaoke, which made it easy to meet new people. Sports also play a big role at UNC. Football season starts in the fall, followed by basketball season later on. It is also possible to join university sports clubs such as rugby or volleyball, and some of us even participated in tournaments. Overall, the wide range of sports options was a major advantage of studying at UNC.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at UNC Chapel Hill was a very special experience, mainly because of the open and welcoming culture. People were incredibly friendly and approachable, whether on campus, on the bus, or in bars, which made it easy to feel comfortable from the beginning. The range of sports and extracurricular activities was impressive, and I had a lot of contact not only with other exchange students but also with local students. What also made the exchange unique was the international environment. I met people from all over the world, literally from every continent. Another big advantage was the flexibility in choosing courses. Depending on the classes, it is possible to structure your schedule quite freely. In my case, I had classes only three days per week in the first module and two days per week in the second, which gave me plenty of time to travel and explore.