Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

selected partner universities. This means that applicants are not required to prepare a highly detailed, destination-specific motivation, such as a perfectly tailored case for SDSU. Nevertheless, it is still strongly recommended to articulate a clear motivation for studying abroad. Having a general academic and personal rationale, as well as reviewing potential courses offered at the host university, helps demonstrate genuine interest and preparedness. In addition, students should make sure to complete all formal requirements early enough. This includes taking the required English language test, arranging necessary vaccinations, applying for the visa, and preparing the financial statement. Early planning helps avoid unnecessary stress and delays during the application and pre-departure phase.

2. Accommodation

The accommodation search in San Diego was quite stressful, especially at the beginning. Similar to most exchange cohorts before us, we relied on a well-known local realtor who can be contacted via Facebook and typically rents out houses for a five-month period. Unfortunately, communication with him was difficult at first, and up until June, we did not know whether we would secure a house. To be on the safe side, we also booked a backup Airbnb in case the long-term accommodation fell through. Fortunately, we eventually did get the house. We shared it with three additional students who were not from WU, which turned out to be a very positive experience and contributed to a great social atmosphere. The house was located in the College Area, approximately a 10-minute walk from campus. The neighborhood felt very safe—many residents do not even lock their doors. Rent was around USD 1,000 per person for a shared room and approximately USD 1,300 for a single room, which is relatively standard for the area

3. Academic life at host university

The SDSU campus is extremely large and not comparable to WU in size or structure. With approximately 50,000 students, the campus offers extensive facilities, including tennis courts, a large gym, a basketball stadium, and multiple football fields, which contribute to a very active campus life. SDSU is widely known as a “party school,” which is also reflected in its academic culture. Despite completing 28 ECTS, the overall workload was manageable. We typically only studied one day before each exam and still achieved mostly A grades and two A- grades. The teaching style differs significantly from WU and is closer to a high-school–like structure, with many smaller, homework-style assignments throughout the semester. Overall, the courses were considerably easier than at WU, especially in terms of exam difficulty and continuous assessment.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation was rarely used, as most daily activities were within walking distance. The trolley system is functional and reliable, but overall mobility in San Diego is much easier with a car. We therefore rented a car from Dirt Cheap Car Rentals, which offers some of the lowest prices available and was a cost-effective solution for longer distances and weekend trips. In terms of safety, most areas—especially around SDSU and the College Area—felt very safe. However, downtown San Diego can feel somewhat sketchy in certain areas, particularly at night, so general caution is advised. San Diego offers a wide range of leisure and sports activities. We participated in a surfing class, went running, attended regular gym sessions, and took advantage of the free sports classes offered at the campus gym, such as Pilates. The strong focus on sports and outdoor activities greatly contributed to the overall exchange experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in San Diego was defined by the Californian lifestyle—outdoorsy, open, and welcoming. I met many new friends from different backgrounds and experienced American culture from the ground up, both on and off campus. The combination of a good academic environment, strong campus life, and constant outdoor activities made the exchange a truly memorable and enriching experience.