Details

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

1. Preparation

Of course, you should prepare thoroughly for the interviews at WU and be able to explain your interest in the United States in a clear, simple, and authentic way. After receiving admission from WU, it is highly recommended to start preparing early by gathering all required documents for the application to the University of Central Florida and for the visa process. Beginning this process early is crucial, as the various online systems and access credentials can be confusing, and certain documents, such as immunization records or financial confirmation, may take a considerable amount of time to obtain

2. Accommodation

I contacted approximately thirty accommodation providers in the Orlando area. Most of them did not offer short term leases, which made the search challenging. If you are going abroad in January, I strongly recommend contacting students from the previous year, as they often know about available short term options. Otherwise, it is advisable to specifically look for short term leases in order to avoid the stress of having to sublease the apartment after half a year. Many accommodations also charge high subleasing fees, usually between 700 and 1,100 US dollars. I stayed at The 9 at UCF and can highly recommend it. The complex is very modern and was built only three years ago. It offers a nice pool area, a pool table, and several comfortable lounge spaces. The rooms were clean, well maintained, and all facilities worked without issues. In general, most accommodation providers try to charge additional fees or include unfavorable conditions. Therefore, it is important to ask all questions in advance and to clarify details such as the exact rental period and payment obligations before signing a contract. As alternatives, I can recommend The Verge or other accommodations located around The Verge and The 9. In our experience, this area was where most social activities and student events took place. Location is especially important if you do not have a car, so staying close to this area is highly recommended. Overall, the campus and the surrounding university area are very safe. You can easily walk around the university at night without concerns. Downtown Orlando can feel slightly unsafe at night, although I never personally heard of any serious incidents. I strongly recommend starting the accommodation search very early, even earlier than booking flights. Take sufficient time to compare different offers, as conditions and prices seem to change every year and students often receive different deals. Online ratings can be misleading, but checking locations on Google Maps is still useful for orientation.

3. Academic life at host university

The University of Central Florida has a very large, modern, and well maintained campus with several shuttle services operating on and around the university. While the shuttle system is useful, I decided to buy a car, which made daily life significantly more convenient, especially for activities outside the campus area. The teaching style at UCF is interactive and practice oriented, with a strong emphasis on continuous assessment and group work. I had very positive experiences with group projects, as they encouraged collaboration and made it easier to connect with other students. Compared to courses at WU Vienna, the academic difficulty level is generally lower, but the workload should not be underestimated. Most courses include multiple graded assignments each week, which requires consistent effort throughout the semester. I recommend investing more effort at the beginning of the semester in order to understand the grading system and the actual workload early on. I also advise choosing relatively easy courses. There will be enough time to focus intensively on studying after returning to Vienna, while the exchange semester offers many social and cultural opportunities that should be enjoyed without unnecessary academic stress.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport to the university is reliable and convenient, but it stops relatively early in the evening. For this reason, I decided to buy a car together with a friend in New York and drive to Orlando as part of a road trip. Having a car allowed me to experience everyday life in the United States much more freely and made it possible to explore a wide range of activities and destinations. If it is financially feasible, I can strongly recommend this option. Public transport to places other than the university is almost nonexistent, and most students rely heavily on carpooling or ride sharing services. I never experienced any unsafe or uncomfortable situations during my stay, and neither did other students I spoke to. Although Florida is an open carry state, I never saw openly carried firearms. European media coverage about safety issues can be misleading, and daily life felt very safe, especially in and around the university area. Social life at UCF is strongly shaped by campus activities, sports, and student organizations. I recommend joining student clubs or, if possible, a fraternity, although the application process can be challenging. Attending football games and tailgating events is an essential part of the student experience and should not be missed. Thanks to having a car, we were able to travel frequently. I can recommend visiting Cocoa Beach for surfing and relaxing, Daytona Beach for a day trip, and Winter Park, which is one of the nicest areas of Orlando. Trips to Tampa and Clearwater are also worthwhile. If time allows, visiting Miami and possibly the Florida Keys is highly recommended. I also suggest traveling to Gainesville to attend a University of Florida football game in order to experience their tailgating culture.

6. Testimonial

This exchange semester was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. In just a few months, I experienced more than during several years of studying in Vienna and grew to a whole different person. What made it truly special was not feeling like a tourist, but actually living in another country, building friendships, and becoming part of everyday life there. Although I initially had a rather critical view of the United States, my perspective changed completely within the first two months. Daily life was shaped far more by international friendships and their sometimes crazy different perspectives, shared experiences, and meaningful deep talks than by political or societal debates. Instead of worrying about presidents or health care systems, I found myself thinking about where to eat BBQ next, how to plan the next tailgate, or how to plan the next pool hangout. This exchange semester was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. In just a few months, I experienced more than during several years of studying in Vienna. What made it truly special was not feeling like a tourist, but actually living in another country, building friendships, and becoming part of everyday life there. Although I initially had a rather critical view of the United States, my perspective changed completely within the first two months. Daily life was shaped far more by international friendships, shared experiences, and meaningful conversations than by political or societal debates. Instead of worrying about stereotypes, I found myself thinking about where to eat next, how to plan the next tailgate, or how to make the most of the time together with friends from all over the world. And never forget how much palm trees, sunshine, and a flexible schedule can change your entire outlook on life. Welcome to the Sunshine State!