Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

The preparations were rather stressful this year due to the issues with the visa process, but I believe this was a one time thing due to the current government in the US. Apart from applying for the visa, the only other things I did was visit the mobility grant lecture and thusly applied for it, registered for courses as my exchange coordinators advised me, and booked on campus housing.

2. Accommodation

I applied for on campus housing over the universities housing portal, which worked out great. The appartment was a little expensive (1250$/month) but I was simply glad I had found housing, since off campus housing is more complicated. I lived in a shared appartment with my own bedroom and a roommate, but we got along great and became good friends. The building was very close to lecture halls and the safety was perfect.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus was beautiful, way bigger than typical campuses in europe, since in the US a lot more money flows to universities obviously. academic culture was very similar to home, teaching styles were a bit more interactive and fun.

5. Every day life in the host country

I never used public transport, safety was comparable or maybe a bit worse than back home due to a lot of drug addicts in the town. social activities ranged from attending sports events, doing outdoor trips or going to bars with fellow students. sports options were great since we had a big on campus sports facility free to use for every student, this included a gym, mulitple playing fields both in and outdoors, a pool and sauna, and classes you could book, ranging accross every possible physical activity imaginable. OSU really surprised me in that sense, since I had never seen such a great sports facility and courses.

6. Testimonial

The exchange semester 2025 was one of the coolest, most fun and inspirational things I got to do in my life so far. The amount of memories I created there was insane compared to back at home. At Oregon State University in the Pacific North West, you can become an outdoor guide with the adventure leadership program as a university course, or buy a pair of cowboy boots, learn to ride horses and be a real cowboy! There is so much beautiful nature out there, like Smith Rock Park, the Pacific Ocean, the Redwood forest in California, etc. . I learned how to rock climb at one of the most sought out destinations for climbers on earth, and went river rafting with my friends on the north santiam river, where I took a cold plunge on accident. The courses were also really fun and the professors were mostly very good teachers. I learned a lot about communication and leadership, and even met a very smart girl in one of those classes. Looking back I am so greatful to have had the chance to discover a new part of the world while also studying interesting topics at a new university, and I would recommend everyone who has the possibility to do so.