Details

• India
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

To study in India, I needed to obtain an Indian student visa. Although it was possible to apply for the visa online, there were many issues. I recommend going directly to the embassy in Vienna, as no appointment is required and it only takes about one week to process. I booked my flights to Bangalore, and from there you can easily take an Uber to campus.

2. Accommodation

As IIMB provides accommodation for exchange students, there was no need to look for additional housing, especially since it only cost €500 for the entire semester. I had a private room equipped with a bed, desk, closet, and balcony, and we shared bathrooms in the hallway. Food on campus was included in the accommodation and was served four times a day in a buffet style. Everything on campus is within a 5–10 minute walking distance, including classrooms, canteens, and sports facilities. The campus is also very safe, as only students and staff have access. I would highly recommend staying on campus, as it was a big part of my experience. It allowed me to fully enjoy campus life, attend events, and meet new people. Tips: We only received our rooms one day before orientation started, so we rented an Airbnb in Bangalore to have some extra time beforehand and explore the city. Also, there is no curfew at IIMB, so you can leave and enter the campus at any time. You can also travel for several days without any problems.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus offers a wide range of facilities, from various sports facilities (tennis, volleyball, badminton, cricket, squash, swimming, gyms, etc.) to a very affordable café and food stalls that are open until 4 a.m. There are also many different sports classes that students can join for free. The classrooms are very modern, and class sizes usually range from 50 to 75 students. The teaching style depends greatly on the professor—some prefer a highly interactive classroom, while others favor a more traditional lecture format. Classes are always held on two consecutive days (e.g., Mondays and Tuesdays), which makes it easy to create a schedule that fits your preferences. Since I had six classes, I scheduled them from Monday to Thursday, which allowed me to travel from Friday to Sunday. However, it is also possible to have classes on only two days and be free for the rest of the week. A minimum attendance of 80% is required. At IIMB, grades are curved, which makes it slightly more challenging to achieve top grades (though it is certainly possible). Group projects are common and are definitely an experience when working with Indian students, as much of the work tends to be completed close to the deadline. Overall, I had great professors, really interesting topics, and truly enjoyed the lectures.

5. Every day life in the host country

During the week, I would often stay on campus, grab coffee with friends, join a sports class, play a game with friends, or go out for dinner or drinks. On the weekends, I would either travel or explore Bangalore. We usually took an Uber into the city. There are also regular events and parties on campus, which are a great way to connect with local students outside the classroom. Bangalore is also a very safe city. Even though it is large and the traffic can be terrible (it can take up to 1.5 hours to reach the city center), we never had any issues going out and exploring. I highly recommend joining campus events and traveling across India. Bangalore is a great starting point for exploring the south, and we often used sleeper buses and trains to reach our destinations.

6. Testimonial

I truly enjoyed all the benefits of living on campus, from the great food and sports facilities to the many events that made campus life so vibrant. I made amazing friends from all over the world as well as local students, which made the experience even more special. The courses were engaging and I learned so much about India and the culture. I can highly recommend this exchange university to anyone looking for an enriching and unforgettable experience.