Details

• Italy
• MASozÖk-10
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I think the most important thing is to familiarize yourself with the procedures of both the sending university and the partner university in good time. Universities often have different systems, so I had to register for courses relatively early, whereas I know that at many other universities this is done later. It is best to put together a schedule so that you don't overlook any important deadlines and so that the transfer of the grant and the crediting of the courses run smoothly. Another important point that you should deal with early on is accommodation. In my experience, it is very difficult to find a place in a student accommodation, so you should also look at alternative websites (e.g. Spotahome). You should also always check whether these websites and apartments are verified to avoid scams. The most important thing is to have a clear overview and start your preparations early. Unfortunately, I can't say much about the application process, as we didn't have a classic application. I think it was important for us to explain why we wanted to go abroad, what we could learn there, and why it would be an enrichment for us, simply to show interest.

2. Accommodation

As I said, it's important to start looking for accommodations early. Unfortunately, rent in Rome is very expensive, and the later you apply, the more expensive it gets and the worse the location becomes. At first, I wanted to live in a student dorm near the campus, but unfortunately I didn't manage to get a place there, so I searched on other websites such as Spotahome. It's important to build up a profile there in order to get good responses to your applications. I got accepted into a private shared apartment with seven roommates. It was a big surprise when I arrived and found out I was the only girl in this 8-person shared apartment. So that's definitely a disadvantage, not knowing who you'll be living with. Otherwise, I can highly recommend a shared apartment, as it helps you build a social network, especially in the beginning when you may not know many people from the university yet. The shared apartment was about a 35-minute walk from the university in a very quiet residential area where I also felt safe (Trieste near the Libia metro station). Unfortunately, the public transportation network in Rome is a disaster, so you never know exactly how long it will take to get to the university, which is why I often took the university shuttle or walked to the university. So overall, I think that accommodations closer to the university is a big advantage, but it will also be very expensive, as the university is located in one of the richest districts of Rome.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at the university is very beautiful, with a garden and green spaces for sitting outside. This is ideal when it's still warm outside, but seating is very limited when you have to move indoors in colder temperatures. The classroom facilities are also not comparable to those at WU, often there isn't even a good table, or only a folding table. Otherwise, I find that there are very exciting courses at the university that also differ from those at WU. The teaching styles are different as well. For example, we had a lot of guest lectures and simulations. In addition, a lot of emphasis is placed on presentations and attendance is mandatory in every course. Therefore I have to mention that some of the courses were very demanding. A lot was expected of us, and I had an assignment or presentation to prepare every week. The oral exams at the end were also challenging. They weren't extremely difficult, but I studied a lot because I wasn't familiar with this kind of exam format. Besides, I didn't want to underestimate it, since it was in English and not in my native language. You definitely have to put in more effort than at WU. But I noticed that this was mainly the case with master's courses. In contrast, the bachelor's courses seemed a lot easier and less time-consuming.

5. Every day life in the host country

As already mentioned, public transport in Rome is very poor. Nothing runs on time and some buses simply don't show up. So you can't really rely on it, which is why I liked to walk or take the metro (which is a little bit more reliable). Otherwise, Rome is a beautiful city with many leisure activities. In addition to many must-see sights such as the Colosseum, there are also many museums that are worth seeing. The university also offered some sports activities such as yoga and soccer. At the time of my stay there was also a marathon in Rome in which some exchange students participated. The Erasmus representative network at the host university also offered several parties and other activities every week to help students connect with each other. Overall, you can say that Rome has a lot to offer and is generally a very safe city, at least where I lived. Of course, it may be different in busier areas, but I would say that's the case in almost every city. The only thing I noticed is that many people in Rome's neighborhoods (including where I lived) speak little to no English. So if you want to actively talk to Roman residents, a basic knowledge of Italian would be helpful. Otherwise, you can get by very well with English, including the university.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was a very exciting experience and I can say that I learned a lot, not only at university but also about myself. Being in a different country, on your own and not knowing anyone at first is challenging, but it definitely helped me grow. You get to meet new people from all over the world and find yourself in a bubble that opens up so many possibilities, even for the future. An experience like this is unique and cannot be compared to a semester at your home university. You get to know yourself and a country/culture on a whole new level. I can recommend it to anyone who wants to learn something new about themselves and a country with lots of new people. It is challenging, but also very enriching.