Details

• United States of America
• MAECO-22
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Before applying, I would recommend doing some research about the university and browsing through the courses you might want to take. You can mention any advanced knowledge you have in your letter of motivation. After getting accepted, it is important to start with the basics as soon as possible, like applying for a visa, looking for housing, and figuring out how to register for your classes. It also helps to send emails to the people responsible for exchange students if you have questions. I started looking for housing too late and could only find more expensive off-campus options. Since WU usually gives you the names and emails of other students going there, you can ask if anyone wants to share an apartment. This can make it much easier to find cheaper places to stay.

2. Accommodation

I was a bit nervous about the political situation at the time, so I waited a while before starting to look for housing. University housing is a good option if you start early, but if you begin late like I did, most places are already taken. Then you have to search for private options, for example on Facebook groups or through private companies. Private companies are usually very expensive if you only want to rent for one semester. I found a private housing place through a Facebook group that was relatively affordable, but I regret choosing one further from campus. Public transport is not as convenient as in many European cities, so it took a lot of time to get to and from the university, and buses have strange schedules. The area itself was nice, quiet, and safe. My tip is to start looking for on-campus housing as soon as possible. If you coordinate with other students from Vienna going there, you might even find cheaper options and more choices.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is huge and has many libraries to study in. I mostly studied in the main library and the Granger Library, because they have the most space. There is free access to the gym, and Wi-Fi is available across the whole campus. Most eating places are on Green Street, where I usually went to restaurants. I didn’t go to the student mensas much, but there are some dining halls connected to housing. Academically, there are many small assignments, homework, midterms, and projects to submit. The work is mostly manageable and not harder than at WU Vienna, but the workload is still high because of the number of tasks. Most students study alone or in small groups, and large study groups don’t usually form during lectures. Professors hold office hours, which are very popular in the US. This is a great chance to discuss course topics or other interests and to network with professors and other students. The teaching style is mostly lectures, combined with 2–3 midterms and a final exam covering all course material. There are also homework assignments, smaller quizzes, and for some master’s courses, an extra project, paper discussion, or group paper for extra credit. Overall, I would say the classes are generally easier than at WU, but the workload is similar. At WU, you need more time to understand and review the material, while at UIUC you spend more time completing assignments and preparing for midterms.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is not as good as in Europe. The city has a bus system that is free for students, but it only runs until 11 PM on weekdays and until 6 PM on Sundays. There are about 4–8 buses per hour on weekdays and 2 buses per hour on weekends. The buses are not always punctual, but if you plan enough time, they will get you to your destination. There is also an app that shows live bus locations, which is very helpful. Campus is generally safe. The university has a police warning system that sends alerts in case of dangerous situations. This semester, there was one shooting incident on Green Street, and the alerts gave live updates about the situation. There are many sports options on campus. Joining clubs gives access to various activities, and the university fields are open for pick-up sports. The gym is also free for students. For cultural and social activities, there are tea ceremonies, music festivals, religious events, and more. If you like going out, there are plenty of parties and social events available.

6. Testimonial

It was really nice to experience the American college culture, just like you see in movies. Living in a city full of students is a lot of fun. Sports events are always a highlight in the US because they are very different from Europe. Academically, you get a different perspective on the same topics, influenced by the country’s history. In general, it was my first longer stay outside of Austria, and I really enjoyed the change in everyday life. It was exciting to get along in a new country with a new language and new surroundings. All the food was great, but in the end, I really missed Austrian cuisine. The new culture, new country, and many new impressions made the semester unforgettable. There isn’t one single best moment. The whole semester as a whole was a unique experience. Overall, the experience is much like what you see in movies, and I would highly recommend it to anyone if they have the opportunity.