Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

You will get access to emailetc quite early. Look up what courses you want to do, you probably will not get into every class - message the profs so they can give you an override. Classes are bit structrured than at WU - but not hard. Maybe contact your dormmate. Figue out how to get to Williamsburg - I took the night train from NYC but I cant really reccomend. There is another train during the day I think. Flying into Richmond and then taking an Uber is the most relaxed version. Or via Norfolk/Newport. Maybe a train from DC. Also Williamsburg gets all 4 seasons so pack accordingly.

2. Accommodation

On-Campus Housing (Dorm-Halls) is mandatory for exchangees and you will be appointed one by W&M. Take a look at the different dorms, they can differ quite substantially. You can give some preferences but it is not guaranteed that you will get them. If you go with someone else, you can form a group. On campus-housing is obviosuly on campus and as the campus is quite small everything is relatively close (except for richmond hall) - limited cars on campus, and def not needed for every-day. Williamsburg is super-safe, the campus even more so. Never felt unsafe for a second, even at night you often chill outside i the town or campus. Dorms can be so small, so be prepared for that - a lot of the necessities I bought there but you can bring them (eg. duvet, sheets, covers, pillow)

3. Academic life at host university

Campus is small but facilities are great. Nice gym, great health-center (nicest doctors and nurses, included in the insurance and easy accessible), a lot of clubs, program, sports etc. Academics: usually small class sizes (30 people), a lot of weekly tasks, quizzes etc.. More like specialization-classes at WU. Teachers are great, and taking part in the class is wished and highly valued. I enjoyed my classes a lot, and preferred the over WU. Usually they cover a bit less content than at WU, but more extensivily so overall workload I think is similar. B-School Class were all great, and the one ECON class I took was also great. If you can and are interested in it, take Lean Six Sigma with Prof. Johnson-Hall - best Prof I ever had (say hi to her from me :) )

5. Every day life in the host country

Williamsburg is a beautiful small town, with some toursim, the campus and some retirees. Its super friendly and super safe. There are some buses around town you can use. My recommendation is, find friends with cars. The convenience is unmatched and maybe you can go for some trips aswell. I joined a frat for my semester which was a whole lotta fun, and I made great friends, but it can be quite expensives. Night life usually happens at greek-life (fraternieites or sororities), the bars (two bars right next to campus) and sometimes the clubs throw something. I u want to party all week, it is probably not the uni for you. As a guy it can be hard to get into greek-life events but it is still very managable and bars are fun if you are 21+. There is a ton of interest clubs (poker, radio, AI etc etc), sport clubs (flag-footbal, wrestling, sailing, etc etc) so definetly try those out and find sth you like. I did poker and wrestling and I loved it. College sports is not super big because it is a small collge but supporting W&M (Tribe) was always a blast and really connects you with the college. I went to every home-football game, as they are free and to one away game. Everything else is a bit of a ride from Williamsburg - I went to Virginia Beach a few times, Bush Gardens and was a lot in DC with friends. Also do NYC over break or after or before the semster like I did. There are also eventy like Welcome-Days at WU but more extensive and more fun. I met all my friends there. In general people are super friendly and supportive. Locals but also other exchangees. There are also a few events organized for the exchangees aswell, those can be fun.

6. Testimonial

It genuinly was the best time of my life. It felt like summer-camp for a few months: I made amazing friends - I am still in contact with, went out a lot, had great classes and really fell in love with the USA. William & Mary is not the biggest, most exciting college but it makes you feel like you are part of a big family and I absollutely loved it.