Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I didn't need to prepare extensively for the application process since I selected Calgary during the second round (Restplätze). To prepare for my stay abroad, I read through all available exchange reports on the WU website and familiarized myself with Calgary's layout to understand where the university was located. The Canadian study permit process was straightforward and fast. Since I'm still in the old study plan, I selected courses in Calgary that would cover the Vienna courses I hadn't yet completed on a 1:1 basis. I contacted my insurance provider in Vienna to confirm my coverage extended to Canada. Regarding flights, many people recommend not booking a return flight in case you want to stay longer, but I booked a flexible ticket where I could change the dates, which worked out fine. For communication and finances, I purchased an eSIM for mobile data and opened a Revolut account, which was accepted everywhere.

2. Accommodation

Since I read in previous exchange reports that living on campus was highly recommended, I completed the university's housing application as quickly as possible and applied for on-campus accommodation. Although I was placed on the waiting list for quite some time, the list moved faster as the exchange semester approached. I stayed in Yamnuska Hall with two roomates. You have to buy bedding and other stuff, the full list for every roomtype is on the ucalgary residence website. There are also a lot of on campus student events, for a full list of everything I can just recommend looking through the residence website. I can strongly recommend living on campus because it eliminates long commutes and much of the student life happens right on campus. My main tip: apply as early as possible to secure your spot!

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is very nice and quite large, with a positive academic culture and competent professors. The teaching style is more personal than at WU, and courses are more hands-on and, in my opinion, easier. The professors I had were very approachable and genuinely enjoyed talking with exchange students. I took ECON 201, ECON 203, RMIN 317, OPMA 317, and SGMA 371. While five courses are manageable, I would recommend taking four to have more time to enjoy your exchange experience. Class sizes vary significantly, some courses have large lectures while others are smaller and more intimate. The assessment structure differs by course, but I experienced a mix of midterms, finals, presentations, quizzes, and projects throughout the semester. Since the teaching style is hands-on, professors expect active class participation, which may differ from what you're used to at WU. Course registration was relatively straightforward. If a course you need is full, simply email the professor or department explaining that you're an exchange student who needs a seat in the class, and they will typically accommodate you. The campus offers plenty of study spaces, and professors hold numerous office hours, making it easy to get academic support when needed. I didn't purchase any textbooks and still achieved A's in all my courses, so don't feel pressured to buy expensive textbooks.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Calgary is good overall. Buses run at longer intervals than you might be used to in Vienna, but the C-Train connects the campus with downtown in about 30 minutes. Public transport fees are included in your university fees, so you have unlimited access. When we needed to get somewhere quickly or wanted to avoid the cold, we used Uber, which is significantly cheaper than in Vienna. Calgary can get extremely cold in winter, temperatures easily reach -20°C or below, so bring proper ski wear and winter gear. However, it's mostly sunny since the bad weather typically gets trapped in the Rockies. In the university district, students receive many discounts at local businesses. Regarding the meal plan: it's optional and was worth it for me. While I got tired of it toward the end of the exchange, not having to cook and being able to go to the Landing (campus cafeteria) whenever you want is very convenient, and I don't think it's overpriced. You can eat as much as you want, and the quality varies from good to mediocre. There are plenty of options including three main stations that change daily, a pasta and pizza station, a salad bar, and a dessert bar, all unlimited. The social scene is excellent. There are many exchange welcoming events, and I highly recommend attending them to make friends. Everyone is open and friendly, and you'll meet people from all over the world. My friends and I attended many Dinos games (the university's sports teams), the season pass is free for all students and highly recommended! We also frequently went to Calgary Flames games and explored bars and pubs in downtown like Craft Beer Market and Canadian Brewhouse. We did an escape room and Horror Houses on Halloween and visited many other bars and clubs throughout the semester. For weekend trips, we explored Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Vancouver, and went hiking throughout the Rockies regularly. We either rented cars or bought bus tickets through websites like Busbud to get to these destinations.

6. Testimonial

Calgary is a wonderful city, though it's different from large European cities where there's always something happening. Still, there are plenty of places to go out and enjoy yourself. Everyone is incredibly friendly, and the proximity to the Rockies makes it perfect for people who love mountains and nature. What made my exchange truly special were the people I met. I found lifelong friends from across Europe and around the world. It's important to be open to new experiences, even if you're not naturally extroverted. My best friends from the exchange and I often tried to remember where we actually met, and we either forgot or it was at very random activities, which shows you can meet great people anywhere and everywhere. While I've always been sporty, the Rockies introduced me to a new passion for hiking and exploring beautiful landscapes. Calgary also taught me not to always think negatively or assume the worst, the positive, welcoming atmosphere really shifted my perspective. What I'll miss most are the friends I made and the whole dynamic we had there, meeting up constantly, the spontaneity, and the friendliness that was always in the air. As everyone says in their exchange reports, the exchange semester was definitely an unforgettable experience and one of the best times of my life. My key message: just enjoy it. You can always go on more trips and be friends with everyone, but don't let that pressure you. Enjoy your exchange semester the way you want and be a bit crazy. One practical tip: I lost my wallet with everything in it during my stay, so make sure to have a credit card saved on your phone (Apple Pay, Google Pay) as a backup. Feel free to contact me if you have questions/need tips