Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Course planning: Check course equivalencies early, Talk to: 1.WU International Office 2.Your study program coordinator 3.Always have backup courses Housing: Apply as soon as possible (on-campus fills up fast) maybe consider University residences, Shared apartments (Facebook groups, student platforms) I can recommend my student housing which is called ALMA at Byward Market. It was great! Visa & entry to Canada: Apply early for eTA, usually you don't need a real study preit the eTA should be enough: Check official Canadian immigration websites only it. should only cost like 7$ Finances: Plan a realistic budget: Rent Food Transport Leisure Inform your bank (my credit card got locker becuase they thought something suspicious went on because of all the Canadian transactions in Supermarktes and so on) Health & insurance: you need to pay a mandatory health Insurance from the university Academic preparation: More continuous assessment More group work Be ready to participate actively Practical Tips: Bring: Adaptors, Important documents (digital + printed) Download University apps

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Ottawa was more stressful than expected, mainly because many places are advertised very late and landlords often prefer long-term tenants. I started my search early, but in reality most serious offers only appeared 1–2 months before the semester started. At first, I tried to secure housing from abroad, which was challenging because: Viewings were often in person only Some online offers turned out to be scams Responses from landlords were sometimes slow or unreliable In the end I eventually found a suitable place, only because it was recommended by another WU student, so go check out ALMA. Accommodation type (student residence / private) I lived in private student housing accommodation rather than a student residence. (Mine was not oparated by the uinversity) Student residences: Very convenient and safe Close to campus Easy social integration at the beginning However: They are quite expensive Places fill up extremely fast Less flexibility in terms of contract length Overall, I was happy with private accommodation, for students who prefer security and simplicity, a residence can be a very good option. Location matters a lot in Ottawa, especially in winter. I would highly recommend living: Within walking distance to University of Ottawa. You do not want to take the bus !! In areas like Sandy Hill or near downtown like Byward market Safety-wise, I generally felt ok-isch safe, especially in student-populated neighborhoods it was pretty Safe. However, some areas farther away from campus felt less comfortable at night, particularly in winter when it gets dark early. Being close to the university saved a lot of time and stress, especially during cold days and exam periods. Tips I wish I’d known beforehand: Don’t panic if you haven’t found a place months in advance – this is normal in Ottawa Never send money without a contract or proof of legitimacy!! Ask for a video call or virtual tour if you can’t visit in person Winter is serious in Canada – proximity to campus really matters Budget more than expected: rent, utilities, and groceries are expensive Living with other students makes the exchange experience much richer

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of University of Ottawa is quite old, but well-organized, and very student-friendly. Most academic buildings, libraries, cafés, and study spaces are located close to each other, which makes everyday life on campus very convenient. There are many places to study: Large libraries with long opening hours Quiet study rooms as well as group work areas Plenty of seating areas across campus Compared to WU Vienna, the infrastructure felt slightly less architecturally impressive, but more practical and accessible for daily student use I would say. Teaching at the University of Ottawa focuses strongly on continuous assessment rather than one final exam. Typical elements included: Midterms Group projects Presentations Quizzes Participation This was a big difference compared to WU Vienna, where many courses rely heavily on a single final exam. While this meant more work throughout the semester, it also reduced exam stress and helped me stay consistently engaged with the material.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Ottawa is mainly based on buses and the O-Train (LRT). As a student at the University of Ottawa, I received a student transit pass, which would have made daily commuting very affordable and easy, but I never used public Transport and I would advise to do the same. If you don't live near campus, public transport is especially important due to the cold weather Compared to Vienna, public transport in Ottawa felt less extensive, but it was sufficient for everyday student life, especially if you don't live close to campus or downtown. Safety situation Overall, I felt not so safe living in Ottawa, but particularly in student areas such as Sandy Hill and around the university campus it was quite Safe. During the day, there were extremly many drug addicts and homeless people. Some areas felt less comfortable late at night In winter, streets can feel very empty after dark Basic awareness is important, especially when walking alone at night Compared to Vienna, Ottawa felt slightly quieter and less busy. However I never experienced any serious safety issues during my stay. Social life in Ottawa is very student-oriented, especially on campus. Meeting friends for coffee or food on campus Studying together in libraries or cafés Game nights and small gatherings in shared apartments The university offers many clubs and student associations, which made it easy to meet people from different countries and backgrounds. Joining activities early helped a lot with social integration. Ottawa may be smaller than cities like Toronto or Montreal, but it still offers a variety of events throughout the year. Highlights included: Winter festivals (e.g. skating events, winter markets) Cultural and national events Free or low-cost student events organized by the university

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Ottawa was a truly enriching experience, both academically and personally. Studying at the University of Ottawa allowed me to experience a different teaching style with more interaction, continuous assessment, and close contact with professors. Beyond academics, living in Canada, meeting people from all over the world, and adapting to a new culture made the exchange especially memorable and helped me grow far beyond the classroom.