Details

• United States of America
• MAECO-22
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process is relatively straightforward. At WU, you submit a single motivation letter that applies to all the exchange universities you select. Once you receive your offer from WU, you will soon be contacted by Kiara, who will be your coordinator as a master’s student in economics. This is because exchange students at UIUC are typically affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Afterward, you can select your courses at UIUC. It is important to plan ahead and register early, as courses at UIUC tend to fill up quickly. Additionally, careful financial planning is essential, as an exchange semester in the United States is significantly more expensive than other options such as Erasmus. Booking your flight tickets early can help reduce costs. Keep in mind that you will also need to apply for a J-1 visa, which requires additional time, so be sure to factor this into your planning.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Champaign was the most challenging aspect of my exchange semester at UIUC. I applied for university housing, however, WU students typically receive their acceptance from UIUC too late to have a realistic chance of securing a place in on-campus housing. In addition, based on reports from other students, university housing rooms are often described as very small and in poor condition, with issues such as dirtiness or even mold. Most accommodation options in Champaign require leases for a full year, which is particularly inconvenient for exchange students. Eventually, I found off-campus university housing at Maywood Apartments, where it was possible to sign a lease for one semester only. However, this option was very expensive: I had to pay for five months despite staying only four, and in addition, a monthly short-term lease premium applied. It is also important to note that many housing providers require a U.S.-based guarantor. If no such guarantor is available, an additional fee usually applies. I would strongly recommend searching exclusively for accommodation in Campustown. Public transportation in Champaign is not very reliable and can make daily life considerably more difficult, especially since most academic and social activities take place in Campustown. Bus services typically stop after 11 pm, which can significantly limit participation in nightlife if you live further away. Living in Campustown allowed me to reach all my classes on foot within 20 minutes and to participate easily in social and extracurricular activities at any time. Additionally, Campustown is generally the safest area of Champaign. During my four months there, I heard of only one shooting incident in Campustown, which appeared to be an exception, in areas further away, such incidents are reportedly more common.

3. Academic life at host university

The UIUC campus is enormous and offers virtually everything one could imagine. Campus life strongly resembles what is often portrayed in American college movies. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the on-campus sports facilities, which are far more extensive than what is typically available at European universities. UIUC features a large football stadium that is well worth a visit, as well as an ice arena that offers public skating. In addition, there are numerous grass and turf playing fields that allow students to participate in a wide range of sporting activities. The campus also houses the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), which includes a fully equipped gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a sauna. These facilities are free for students and provide excellent opportunities for both fitness training and recreation. Academically, the campus is organized into different colleges and faculties. As economics students, most of our classes took place in David Kinley Hall. While the building is centrally located, the classrooms themselves are not particularly well designed. The seating resembles cinema-style chairs, and the small fold-out desks make it uncomfortable to write exams, especially longer ones. The academic culture at UIUC is quite similar to that at WU. Courses typically include several midterm exams and various assignments throughout the semester. At the end of the term, students usually sit one comprehensive final exam per course, often lasting up to three hours and covering the entire semester’s material. As master’s students in economics, we were generally required to enroll in four-credit courses, which entails an additional workload, usually in the form of a research paper, on top of regular assignments and exams. Attendance at lectures is usually not mandatory at UIUC, however, it is strongly recommended. Regular attendance tends to have a positive impact on academic performance, and in many courses, active participation is rewarded with additional points. Some professors also incorporate graded in-class discussions based on assigned readings. Prior to my exchange, I expected the academic level at UIUC to be significantly lower than at WU. While courses often begin at a relatively introductory level, the pace increases quickly, and most classes reach a solid academic standard. Due to the substantial workload, achieving good grades ultimately requires a time investment comparable to that at WU.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation in Champaign largely corresponds to what one might expect in a small town in the United States. The city offers the MTD bus service, which covers most of Campustown and allows students to reach many destinations in the area. However, buses run relatively infrequently, are often unreliable, and travel times can be quite long. For example, the nearest affordable grocery store, Walmart, is only about a ten-minute drive from Campustown by car, but reaching it by bus can take up to an hour. A positive aspect is that all MTD services are free with the student I-Card, which should be picked up during orientation week. It is also extremely helpful to make friends with American students who own a car, as this is quite common and makes everyday life significantly easier. For travel to the airport, I would strongly recommend booking a seat with the Peoria Charter. The fare is usually around $45, and the bus drops you off directly at O’Hare Airport, Terminal 2. Champaign also has an Amtrak train station, with trains running directly to Chicago within a few hours. Prices vary and can sometimes be cheaper than the bus, however, my personal experience with Amtrak was rather negative, as one trip was delayed by three hours. In contrast, I never encountered similar issues with the Peoria Charter. Safety in Champaign is somewhat ambiguous. Personally, I usually felt very safe, even at night, but I also spent most of my time in Campustown. Outside of Campustown, the situation can be different, and some areas feel noticeably less safe. For this reason, I would recommend living and spending most of your time close to campus. UIUC offers an enormous variety of social and leisure activities, making it easy to find something that suits your interests. Personally, I joined both the lacrosse and ice hockey teams, which was one of the best decisions of my exchange. I had played lacrosse in Vienna before, so being able to play in the United States, where the sport is much more popular, was a great opportunity. Ice hockey, on the other hand, I learned from scratch, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. While participating in both sports required a significant time commitment, with four practices per week and games on weekends, the experience was absolutely worth it for me, even though it limited my ability to travel during the semester. An additional benefit of joining sports teams was that it allowed me to interact much more with American students than many other exchange students. I also spent a considerable amount of my free time at the ice arena, which offers various public skating sessions as well as “stick and puck” times, all of which were very enjoyable. Given the strong sports culture in the United States, I would highly recommend attending at least one football game and participating in a tailgate. Even though I personally do not particularly enjoy watching football, the overall atmosphere is a unique experience. I personally preferred attending ice hockey games at the ice arena. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) regularly organizes activities specifically for exchange students, providing great opportunities to meet students from all over the world. All of these activities are free of charge. One of my personal highlights was a trip to Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch nearby, which I would highly recommend. There are also a few experiences that every UIUC student should have at least once, most notably a barn dance. This is essentially a party held in the middle of cornfields, where everyone dresses up like a cowboy and country music is played. At the end of November, there is a one-week fall break for Thanksgiving, which provides a good opportunity to travel. Personally, I used this time to visit California to enjoy some sunshine and warmer temperatures, as winters in Illinois can get very cold. If flights are booked early, Thanksgiving break is a great chance to explore other parts of the United States during the exchange.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at UIUC was an incredibly enriching experience, both academically and personally, and I consider it a true privilege to have spent a semester studying in the United States. I thoroughly enjoyed my courses, learned a great deal, and was inspired by highly engaging and dedicated professors who made the academic experience both challenging and rewarding. Beyond academics, joining the lacrosse team and the ice hockey team was the highlight of my exchange, as it allowed me to fully immerse myself in American school spirit and build meaningful connections with American students. Overall, if one has the opportunity and financial means, I would highly recommend an exchange semester in the United States, as it offers an exceptional and unforgettable experience.