Details

• Italy
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

When preparing for the exchange semester, it is important not to stress too much if the first course registration at LUISS does not work out perfectly. There is enough flexibility to switch courses once you are on site, and the Learning Agreement can also be adjusted and finalized afterwards. It is, however, important to keep track of the Erasmus+ deadlines and organize the journey in advance. I personally travelled by plane, which was very convenient, but many students also took the train. Both options were relatively affordable and easy to manage.

2. Accommodation

I shared a private apartment with two friends from WU, and we found our flat around six months in advance via Spotahome. Housing in Rome is generally quite expensive, and we paid between €900 and €1,200 per month for a room in a shared apartment. I personally lived in Parioli, only about 10 minutes away from the university, which I would highly recommend. It is a quiet and affluent neighborhood where I always felt very safe. In general, it makes sense to look for accommodation close to the university, either in Parioli or near the other LUISS campus in Trieste, as public transportation in Rome is not always reliable. Most exchange students lived in these areas, which are both pleasant to live in, non-touristic, and safe. My main tip would be to start the accommodation search early. Some friends also found apartments through Airbnb by directly contacting hosts and asking for long-term rentals, which can be a good alternative.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at LUISS strongly depends on the course and the respective professor, as teaching styles varied significantly. One positive aspect was that many professors also work in their respective industries, which made the courses more practice-oriented and relevant. I took both Master’s and Bachelor’s level courses, and I generally preferred the Master’s courses. This was partly because they were more specific and allowed for a deeper engagement with the topics. The overall course structure was similar to WU Vienna, as most courses included a final exam as well as group work or midterms. The campuses themselves are quite nice, and there are several options nearby to get lunch or coffee. However, study spaces on campus are very limited, and especially during exam periods it can be difficult to find a place unless you arrive early. Attendance was mandatory and tracked via an app, with the level of strictness depending on the professor. Overall, the academic level varied by course, but with good preparation it is definitely manageable to achieve good grades.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation in Rome can be challenging and strongly depends on the line. The metro generally works well, but there are only a few lines. Trams are mostly reliable and frequent, while buses can vary a lot in terms of punctuality. Because of this, many of us used e-scooters and got monthly subscriptions, which worked very well for everyday mobility. Overall, I felt very safe in Rome. As in any big city, there are neighborhoods that are less pleasant than others, but the areas around LUISS are generally safe. The ESN LUISS team is very engaged and puts a lot of effort into organizing activities. I would strongly recommend participating in the Orientation Week, as it is a great way to meet people and form first social groups. The weekend trips were also a lot of fun and felt a bit like a class trip. ESN also organizes club nights every week, with free entry for exchange students. For sports, many gyms near the university are relatively expensive, small, or not very well equipped. I personally didn’t go to the gyms and preferred running, which works really well in Villa Borghese Park or along the Tiber. ERA Roma also offers activities like Pilates and yoga, which I personally enjoyed a lot. There are also running, padel, and many other sports communities, so there is something for everyone.

6. Testimonial

I had an amazing time during my exchange at LUISS and met so many people from all over the world. Orientation Week was a fantastic start, full of activities, new friendships, and plenty of fun. We went on several weekend trips, including to Apulia and the Amalfi Coast, which were absolutely beautiful. The beach wasn’t far away either! ESN events were always fun, and Rome itself is incredible: culinarily, you can never get enough of pizza, pasta, gelato, and more, and eating out is relatively affordable compared to Vienna. The city is full of history and culture, and even now I haven’t seen everything I wanted to. One of our favorite sunset spots was the Vittorio Emanuele monument with a view of the Colosseum. I am truly grateful for this unforgettable experience.