Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Application is relatively straightforward. Read all emails WU and UIUC sends you and submit all documents on time. We had an in-person session on the grants, attend that! Make sure to arrange visa, flights, and housing soon after you get accepted.

2. Accommodation

You can choose to stay in a dorm, you get a meal plan. College dorms are pretty expensive and you usually have a roommate. You can also choose a private dorm operated by a company. These are typically better quality and more private, but you might have to sign a lease for a year and sublease in the second semester if you don't stay. Or you can also find an accommodation off campus (e.g. renting a room or a house with other exchanges), which is the usually the cheapest, but you have to take the distance, bus schedule, and other occasional transport costs (Uber, e-bike etc).

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is well organized, large, and relatively well-equipped. The academic culture is relaxed, I didn't experience any more pressure than there is at WU. The teachers in Gies Business are great and very social. My biggest tip would be to get to know your profs personally, they are very welcoming and love to get to know their students! The courses are usually easier than at WU in my opinion, at least in business-related fields. I did not take any Econ classes, but I heard they are a bit more challenging.

5. Every day life in the host country

The campus is walkable and the public transport is safe and great on campus and runs till late night. You will rarely need to go outside campus unless you choose to live off-campus. Off campus buses are also good and safe but don't always run until late night. The town itself is safe, pretty great for jogging. If you have basic street smarts you won't have any problems. Keep an eye out on your belongings though and don't wander aimlessly in Downtown Champaign late at night alone. UIUC offers a LOT of great clubs, I recommend joining those that interest you, they are very low commitment and you meet a lot of interesting people. Try to meet and talk to as many Americans as possible instead of just staying within the exchange students' bubble. I specifically recommend joining the Outdoor Adventure Club as they organize free trips around the Midwest and occasionally beyond. The uni has it's own, large, well-equipped gym that you have access to with sauna, running tracks, swimming pool, and many lifting areas. It's "free". Membership fee is included in the ~USD 1k fees you have to pay for gym, insurance, and other stuff. There are great bars and clubs on campus, most are 19+ to enter, 21+ to drink, largely aimed at undergrads. There are more "serious" bars in Downtown Champaign, but those are 21+ to enter.

6. Testimonial

I loved my exchange. I learned lot and could meet a lot of new people. We also had plenty of time to travel. Chicago is close and O'Hare airport is extremely well connected, so I definitely recommend traveling around the US if you can afford to do so.