Details

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

1. Preparation

One of the first and most important steps is preparing for the interview. Everyone approaches this differently, but overall it really helps to know why you specifically want to go to Boston College. Things like the university’s rankings, the city of Boston itself, or the strong sports culture on campus are all good points you can mention and reflect on. After getting accepted, you should sign up for an English test as soon as possible, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, since there is a deadline that is not very far away. However, the test is definitely doable if you prepare properly for the different task formats. Once that is done, the next step is the visa process. This should also be taken care of early on. Booking an early appointment helps avoid unnecessary stress or delays later. Another topic that is worth thinking about in advance is course selection. Getting into courses that can be credited at WU is not always easy. You have to submit a list of your top 10 course preferences, but from experience, you often do not get into all the courses you want at first and may need to adjust your schedule once you are already there. So, it really helps to think beforehand about alternative courses you would like to take, as this makes the start of the semester much less stressful.

2. Accommodation

Boston College offers on-campus housing, but since there are not enough spots for all exchange students, places are assigned through a lottery system. You can either apply for this lottery or decide early on to look for off-campus housing. The tricky part is that the lottery results are announced quite close to the start of the semester, so you have to decide whether to wait and hope for an on-campus spot or already search for alternatives off-campus. I personally got a place on campus through the lottery and would definitely recommend it if possible. Even though on-campus housing is quite expensive and usually involves shared rooms and bathrooms as well as a mandatory meal plan, it is a great experience. Living on campus makes it much easier to meet people and be part of campus life from the very beginning. In terms of safety, I always felt very comfortable on campus. Boston College has its own campus police, who are present around the clock, which definitely adds to a strong feeling of security.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at Boston College is extremely beautiful and definitely larger than the WU campus, but still quite manageable. It is a 20 minute walk from one end to the other. The academic culture is very different from WU. Classes are highly interactive, participation is expected, and three out of four of my courses used a curved grading system. Every professor I had was very supportive, offered office hours, and encouraged close interaction with students. At the same time, the courses were definitely challenging. Especially in the Business Department, curved grading makes it harder for exchange students to achieve top grades. Boston College is not a university where good grades come easily. You need to put in continuous effort to keep up with classmates, particularly as a non-native English speaker. However, with consistent work and engagement, it is still very possible to get good grades. Most courses are assessed through midterms, finals, and smaller assignments or presentations during the semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation in Boston is quite good for US standards, even though it is not comparable to Vienna. You can reach downtown directly via the Green Line in about 45 minutes, as the campus is not located right in the city center. In terms of safety, I always felt very comfortable. There is a Boston College Police Department, which makes the area around campus very safe, and I also felt safe throughout Boston in general. The city is clean and well organized as well. There are plenty of options for leisure activities. On campus, there is a large gym with many different sports options, and you can also join sports teams or intramural leagues. There are sports events almost every week, especially football, basketball, and hockey. Football games are a big part of campus life, with tailgating beforehand. For sports fans, it is worth getting the Gold Pass (around $200), which gives access to almost all sports events on campus. Apart from that, Boston offers many museums, cafés, and other activities. I also traveled a lot during my stay, and places like Cape Cod are great and not too far away. The airport is easy to reach, which makes traveling to other destinations also very convenient. Regarding nightlife, Boston College is not a major party school. Rules are strictly enforced for students under 21, and there is no Greek life. However, there are still social options such as house parties or you can join frat parties at MIT or Harvard if you get in.

6. Testimonial

Overall, my exchange semester was an unforgettable experience that will always remain very special to me. Experiencing the typical American college life had always been a dream of mine, and Boston College truly delivers that feeling. One of the highlights was traveling within the US, including trips to places like California, Chicago, and Puerto Rico, which are experiences I am extremely grateful for. The exchange gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and connect with American students as well. Even though the academic life was challenging at some points, it helped me grow both academically and personally. Studying at Boston College is a privilege, and I can highly recommend it as an exchange destination.