Details

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

1. Preparation

Future exchange students should inform themselves early about the host country and the host university and have a general idea of the courses they want to take. During the application process at WU, it is important to clearly explain the motivation for studying abroad and to know the content of the motivation letter, as questions are often based on it. Before going abroad, students should learn about the academic system and teaching style of the host university and prepare a rough course plan. It is also helpful to find out about cultural differences and daily life in the host country to make the start of the semester easier.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Urbana-Champaign can be challenging for exchange students. Although the university offers student housing, it is mainly intended for freshmen and is therefore rarely chosen by exchange students. There is also student housing on campus, but these apartments usually require 12-month contracts, which can be risky for exchange students because subletting is not always guaranteed. In our case, we stayed in an Airbnb located about five minutes walk from campus. This option allowed us to rent the accommodation exactly for the period we needed, without a long-term contract. The location was safe, very close to the university, and convenient for daily life. In terms of price and flexibility, this was one of the most cost-effective options available. If you want the full college campus experience, it is recommended to live on or very close to campus. Areas near Green Street or the Main Quad are especially popular, as they are central and close to classes, social life and campus facilities.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is excellent and offers a good mix of beautiful historic buildings and modern, well-equipped facilities. The campus is spacious, well organized, and provides many study areas, libraries, and recreational spaces, which makes daily university life very comfortable. The academic culture is similar to that at WU Vienna, but overall it feels more personal and interactive. Classes are usually smaller, participation is encouraged, and there is close interaction between students and professors. Professors are generally very friendly, approachable, and highly motivated, which creates a supportive learning environment. Regarding the courses, the level of difficulty is manageable if students choose their courses carefully. It is helpful to check how professors grade and what the average grades in a course are, as this strongly influences the workload and achievable results. If students are looking for a more relaxed semester, business courses are generally easier to manage, while finance courses tend to be more demanding and time-consuming.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in the host country was very enjoyable and strongly connected to campus life. There are many sports opportunities, especially through the ARC, which offers a wide range of fitness classes, gyms, and sports facilities. Public transport in Urbana-Champaign is good by American standards, especially around campus, and makes it easy to get to university buildings and nearby areas. The safety situation on campus is generally very good. The university area is well protected, with a strong police presence and security services. However, it is still important to keep in mind that gun ownership is common in the United States, so basic awareness is always recommended, especially outside campus areas. For social and leisure activities, the university offers many options. The campus is a great place to go out, with many bars and restaurants, especially along Green Street. In addition, there are many sports events throughout the semester, such as football, basketball, and ice hockey games, which are a major part of student life. I would strongly recommend doing the exchange during the winter semester. It is the best time in terms of sports events and overall campus atmosphere. The weather is pleasant for a long time and feels like summer well into the semester, but from December onwards it becomes extremely cold, which is important to be prepared for.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was a very special experience, mainly because of the people I met. What made it truly unique was the mix of students from Vienna, exchange students from all over the world, and the very friendly and welcoming Americans. Campus life played a big role in everyday life and created a strong sense of community. In addition, traveling through the United States during and after the semester made the exchange even more unforgettable.