Details

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

1. Preparation

Preparation is always the first and most important step. For me this process included carefully looking at all the possible exchange options and then selecting 5-6 universities which I liked the most. It is crucial to read as many exchange reports as possible beforehand and contacting people who have done their exchange at the preferred places. The application process itself was not complicated as everything is well explained on the WU website, so make sure to carefully read all the required steps. Make sure to spend a few days filling out the application sheet and really point out why you deserve to be selected. I also created a calendar where I put all the deadlines as there are quite a few and it is important not to miss any. To prepare for my semester abroad, I talked to two friends who had already done their exchange at UIUC and they gave me excellent advice. To choose the courses I was going to do there, I spent a lot of days looking at the course catalog available on the UIUC website and made sure that the ones I liked would be recognised. There were also online orientation meetings which were very helpful so you should definitely attend and listen carefully.

2. Accommodation

I chose to live in the University Housing because I found it more affordable and the application process was really easy - you just had to put your name on the waiting list which was accessible through the student account and if there is an available room, they will send you an offer. Keep in mind that if you apply and they send you an offer, you have to take it, otherwise you would need to pay a cancellation fee which was high. Some housings require you to have a mandatory meal plan but mine (Sherman Hall) did not. The meal plan is not a bad idea in my opinion because there are many different locations and they offer decent food. Some of my friends lived in private housing apartments but it was more expensive and they had to sign a one year contract, struggling to find a sublease when they left. Everything is walking distance and it doesn’t take more than 5-10 minutes to reach the main places

3. Academic life at host university

The campus was really nice and it really represents the American college life as you can imagine it from the movies - there were the frat and sorority houses, big gyms, football fields, etc. I found the classes there easier and to be honest I didnt notice too many differences when it comes to teaching style. We also had assignments, presentations and exams at the end of the semester. One key difference was that classes were usually smaller and you are encouraged to participate so make sure that you don’t skip classes, as attendance is required.

5. Every day life in the host country

One thing that is guaranteed if you choose to do your exchange at UIUC is that you will not be bored as there is something going on all the time. There are many sports centers and outdoor fields for volleyball, football and basketball. There is even an Ice arena where you can go ice skating. All the university games were super fun so make sure to attend them - the atmosphere and the school spirit are great. There are also many clubs that you can join, usually there is an event at the beginning of the year where you learn about each club and how to join. They organise events all the time and even non-members can join so I recommend that. Public transport around the campus was free with the student card but as I mentioned earlier everything was walking distance so I rarely used it. In general, I felt very safe all the time even when I was walking home late at night.

6. Testimonial

I loved my exchange semester at the UIUC. I met so many amazing people with whom I am still in touch and we managed to meet again and organise a trip together. I feel like this exchange semester changed me and I definitely became even more open minded. It had always been my dream to go to the US and get to experience the American college life as we have seen in movies so I was super excited and happy that I decided to do it exactly there. I was going out every day, especially to the bars around the campus which are absolutely great and we all had so much fun there. I definitely recommend going to UIUC, you will not regret it!!!!