Details

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

1. Preparation

For the application process, make sure to be prepared for the interview. Have good answers prepared for questions like "Why did you choose this unitersity?" // "Why do you want to make an exchange semester?" // Why did you choose that country?" // What are you expecting from your semester abroad?" etc. Make sure to get in touch with other students who will go to the same university as you do. I went to UIUC and a lot of other students from WU went there as well. We created a Whatsapp group chat to stay in touch and help each other with everything we had to organize (visa, housing, etc.)

2. Accommodation

Use Facebook Groups to search for accommodation. Especially for the USA, there are tons of Facebook Groups for subleasing and housing options at campus. Sometimes it might be a bit hard to find housing for just 6 months. I recommend to not rush yourself and dont get nervous. You will always find something, also if its just a few weeks left until your exchange starts. So dont rush yourself into a one-year housing contract. I was living in a private student living at Campus called "309 Green". I paid around 1.100 dollar a month for a 4 bed 2 bath penthouse apartment shared with 3 other guys. The location is amazing and probably the best you can find on campus. It never took me longer than 10 minutes to get to my courses. Safety around the campus is pretty much everywhere the same so you dont have to worry about that.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure is amazing and there is nothing you will miss on campus, from food spots over grocery shopping to sports. I experienced the teaching style and the academic culture as very relaxed. Do not worry about your courses and lectures, it is way easier than at WU and you will not have any problems with achieving good grades. Most probably you will have to do a lot of assignments and homework, but it is always very chill and does not take lots of time. Also, exams are very easy. From what I experienced, teacher will mostly give you good grades as long as they feel like you put some time and work into your assignments, tests, etc.

5. Every day life in the host country

I never used public transport because my accommodation was located directly at campus, therefore I could reach everything within around 15 minutes by foot. The safety situation was mostly pretty good, we only had 2 - 3 incidents with fights / shootings where it was a bit concerning. Whenever something happens, you will be noticed immediately by receiving text messages to your phone from the university police office. The campus life offers tons of events and sports options. UIUC has a big football stadium, basketball stadium, hockey hall etc. Make sure to experience this activities.

6. Testimonial

This exchange was probably the best time of my life so far and I am unbelievably happy that I had and took this opportunity. I gained new friends from all over the world, I got to know four new countries, I improved my english skills and I made amazing memories. An exchange semester is the perfect chance to get used to an international environment and I would recommend everyone to make this experience. You wont regret it!