Details

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

1. Preparation

First choose your country, then look at all the possible universities you could go to. Pay attention to the universities that aren't the most popular ones, since these are also extremely good and more likely to get into. Make your own list with potential universities and get familiar with the area around it. Know what it is important to you, for example if you want to travel a lot, don't pick a university in the middle of nowhere but one closer to the airport, it will be less expensive. Know what kind of vibe you want your university to have, watch YouTube videos, TikToks and look at pictures to see if you can actually see yourself there. Fill out the application form earlier and let other people read over it, since you obviously know your credentials but for others to might be unclear.

2. Accommodation

To preface this, I was looking for housing together with a friend of mine. The search was difficult. You can stay on campus, which we initially opted for, but you don’t receive any feedback until about a month before the start of the semester. We wanted to live in an apartment building (Wolf Ridge or Wolf Village), but we did not get in. They offered us Alexander Hall, which consists of dorm rooms, and we were informed less than a month before the semester started. However, we did not want to share a room and a bathroom with the entire floor. So we started looking on Facebook Marketplace and in various housing groups on Facebook, and we found an apartment there. We got the apartment, it had four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and walk-in closet, plus a shared living room and kitchen. The housing was approved by the university and was only half an hour away by bus, which went directly to campus. It was located next to a lake, which was really nice for walks. There were a lot of other students living there, but also some sketchy-looking people. However, nothing ever happened. Moreover, right next to the bus stop there was a Food Lion and some other stores, which was very convenient, and in hindsight, better than what we would have had on campus. Tips: Figure out whether you want to live on campus and whether you are okay with staying in dorms. Be aware that there is the possibility of getting an apartment, but we didn’t fully understand the system behind the allocation process. Look on Facebook Marketplace for off-campus housing, but make sure you can reach the university using the “Wolfline” (the university bus line). Also, make sure to get a semester long contract, otherwise, you will have to find a sublease, which can be quite annoying.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus & Academic Culture: The campus is huge, and you will walk around quite a lot. So definitely bring a backpack, otherwise your back will start to hurt after a while (and everyone wears one, so it’s completely normal). Classes are usually smaller, except for introductory courses, so most of my professors actually knew my name. In general, the teaching style is much more interactive and personal. Professors expect you to participate and often encourage you to share personal experiences. Additionally, you have quizzes, tests, papers, and homework spread throughout the entire semester. This means you are required to study continuously instead of just at the end. However, it is honestly not that difficult, and most assignments can be completed relatively quickly. Courses: When studying abroad, you can usually choose from a wide range of business-related courses. My favorite class was “Personal Selling.” I cannot recommend this course enough. The professor was amazing, and I learned so much about sales, presentation skills, and the psychology behind selling. This is a class that we simply do not have at WU, and the U.S. is particularly strong when it comes to teaching sales-related subjects. In general, I would recommend choosing a mix of easier courses (100- or 200-level classes) and more advanced, specialized courses (300- or 400-level classes), as the latter focus more deeply on specific topics. Most importantly, choose classes that genuinely interest you , you want to enjoy your time abroad and make the most of the experience!

5. Every day life in the host country

I used the “Wolfline” every day, which was free and therefore very convenient. It was reliable most of the time and felt very safe, as it is mainly used by students. On campus, I always felt very safe and was never scared. Outside of campus, however, I did not enjoy walking alone at night, as there were sometimes sketchy people around. Activities: The university has a three-story gym with everything you could possibly need, from weight rooms and basketball courts to tennis courts and a wide variety of gym classes. You can sign up for all gym classes for free and try out anything you like. I especially loved the dance classes, Line Dancing was great, but I also enjoyed Pilates and Super Cycling. I would definitely recommend checking that out! Moreover, there are many clubs you can join, which is a great way to meet new people. Sport Events: Football is obviously a big deal, and the games are always packed (literally, they are the Wolfpack, haha). Tailgating before the games is super fun, and the games themselves are a great experience. You can get free student tickets by signing up and then “winning” them in a lottery system. The stadium is not located directly on campus, but there are free shuttle buses going back and forth called the “Red Terror.” Basketball works in a similar way, just without tailgating, but it is

6. Testimonial

I learned a lot about myself and about the kind of career I could see myself pursuing. I loved my classes and truly enjoyed going to university every day.I met some of my closest friends and built very special connections that have changed me. I traveled along the East Coast and visited many different destinations.This experience made me realize how different cultures can be, but also how beautiful each and every one of them is. You can learn so much from every person you meet in your life. -> I cannot upload pictures, so please reach out to me and I will happily send them to you.