Details

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

1. Preparation

To prepare for the application process at WU, I would recommend familiarising yourself early with the partner university and its course offerings. It is helpful to already have a rough idea of which courses you would like to take, as this makes the application and later credit transfer process much smoother. Make sure to keep track of deadlines and required documents, as the application timeline can be quite tight. For preparing the semester abroad, I strongly recommend starting to look for housing as early as possible, since availability is limited and places fill up very quickly. Especially for SDSU, many required documents need to be submitted shortly after nomination, so it is important to be well organised and gather all relevant paperwork in advance (such as language certificates or transcripts). Overall, good preparation and early planning will significantly reduce stress and help you start your exchange semester smoothly.

2. Accommodation

At SDSU, I would strongly recommend starting to look for accommodation around campus as early as possible, as options are limited and fill up very quickly. There are two main housing options for exchange students: privately owned student dorms (such as “5025”, “The Rive”, or “6Nineteen”) or shared houses in the College Area, which are often found via Facebook groups. I would recommend reaching out to students from the previous exchange cohort who went to SDSU, as they may be able to connect you directly with landlords or share useful contacts. Personally, I stayed at “5025” with a friend. At the time (Fall 2025), this was the cheapest available option, costing around USD 1,000 per month for a double room. The overall living standard was quite low: the buildings and utilities are outdated, the apartment quality varies, and the management was difficult to deal with. That said, some residents had nicer apartments, so the experience can depend on luck. A positive aspect was the shuttle bus that brought students to campus in about two minutes, and the location generally felt safe. Some other friends lived in shared houses in the College Area. These rooms were usually smaller and slightly more expensive, but some preferred the more independent living situation.

3. Academic life at host university

The SDSU campus is very modern and well equipped, offering a wide range of facilities such as tennis courts, a swimming pool, a very large gym, bowling alleys, and many study and leisure spaces. Overall, the campus infrastructure is one of the highlights of the university and creates a very lively student atmosphere. Regarding academic life, the teaching style is quite different from WU Vienna. Classes are generally smaller and much more interactive, which makes them feel more like school classes than large university lectures. Professors encourage participation and regular attendance. Most courses include multiple midterm exams, quizzes, group projects, and assignments that are spread throughout the semester, rather than one final exam at the end. This leads to continuous workload but less pressure during the exam period compared to WU.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in the host country is very poor and not reliable, so having a car is almost essential for daily life. Most exchange students rent a car, usually with "Dirt Cheap Car Rental," which offered the best rates during my time, especially for drivers under 25. Renting a car makes getting around much easier and more flexible. In terms of safety, the country is generally quite safe. As in any large city, there are certain areas that are better avoided, especially at night, but overall I felt safe in everyday life. There are many social and leisure activities available, including a wide range of events and sports options. You can easily drive to the beach, go surfing or do other water sports, and attend football and basketball games as well as concerts. Major sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL also offer exciting live events, which adds a lot to the overall experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange was the best time of my life. I had the opportunity to travel to many amazing places such as Hawaii, Texas, New York and Mexico, and to meet inspiring and interesting people from all over the world. I spent a lot of time outdoors in the sun, at the beach, surfing and doing various water sports. Every day felt different, as I constantly tried new things, stepped out of my comfort zone, and learned a lot about independence and how to tackle challenges on my own.