Details

• United States of America
• MASCM-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

For an exchange in the US, the visa process (usually J-1) takes time and involves several steps (DS-2019, SEVIS fee, embassy appointment). Start preparing documents early and regularly check deadlines to avoid unnecessary stress. US universities often have continuous assessment (midterms, quizzes, homework, participation). Make sure the workload fits your semester abroad goals.

2. Accommodation

All exchange students at UT Dallas live in on-campus student housing, which makes the accommodation process very easy and stress-free, as no private housing search is required. Living on campus is very safe and convenient, with all university facilities within walking distance. However, there is not much to do around campus on foot, and most activities outside the university require a car or the bus. A useful tip is to visit the move-in market during the first week, where donated essentials are available for free. This is a great way to pick up items such as kitchen equipment, a coffee machine, or a hair dryer.

3. Academic life at host university

UT Dallas offers a modern campus with well-equipped classrooms, libraries, and study spaces. The teaching style is interactive and supportive, and both professors and TAs are very approachable and respond to emails quickly. There are frequent assignments, quizzes, and midterms throughout the semester. Therefore, final exams usually account for a smaller share of the overall grade, reducing end-of-semester pressure. In terms of content, much of the material covered overlapped with topics already taught in the first two semesters at WU Vienna.

5. Every day life in the host country

During the week, we participated in numerous free sports classes offered on campus. Many were really enjoyable, especially because they were free and a great way to meet new people. Aside from that, weekdays were mostly spent on university work, with occasional trips to the nearby Target simply to get out and move around, since there was not much else within walking distance. Weekends were busier, as we often traveled to different cities in the US or visited the Stockyards, a western-style area in the Dallas region, which gave a classic Texas experience. Having access to a car or rideshare services is essential. Overall, the campus and surrounding area are safe, and there are good opportunities for social and leisure activities, especially through organized campus events.

6. Testimonial

Even though everyday life at the university wasn’t the most exciting, the travels really made this semester special. During the exchange, I visited Seattle, New York, Florida, several cities in Texas..... So, this semester was a great chance to see a lot of the US.