Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

For the application process at WU, my main advice is to be well prepared but stay authentic. It helped a lot to clearly know why I wanted to go abroad, why the US, and specifically why Boston College. I would recommend to look into the host university beforehand, check the course offerings, and have a rough idea of what you want to gain from the exchange academically and personally. Showing genuine motivation and curiosity is more important than giving “perfect” answers. Just be yourself and treat the interview like you are explaining to a friend why you want to go on exchange. When preparing for the semester abroad, I would strongly advise starting early with the administrative tasks. Visa requirements, health insurance, vaccinations and course approvals can take more time than expected. Housing is another important topic, especially at BC, where on-campus housing is not guaranteed. It is worth researching off-campus options early and connecting with other exchange students through WhatsApp groups. Boston College provides an International Student Guide with all key information, deadlines, and contact details, which is best used as your main orientation tool before and during the semester.

2. Accommodation

Since housing is assigned through a lottery system, it really comes down to luck. I waited for the lottery results but unfortunately didn't get on-campus housing, which made the search a bit stressful since time was already running out. My main advice is to start looking early. Even if you apply for on-campus housing, it makes sense to search for off-campus options at the same time. In the end, I lived off campus with four other exchange students. We connected through a WhatsApp group for exchange students and initially found the place on Airbnb, but later arranged a private rental directly with the landlord. The house was fully furnished and located in Newtonville, a safe, calm, and family-friendly neighborhood. Everyone had their own room, and we shared the kitchen and living room. There were two bathrooms in total, one for the girls and one for the boys. The house was about a 15-minute walk to the Newton Campus, from where a shuttle bus runs frequently to the main campus and takes around five minutes. Overall, it took about 20 minutes door to door.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at Boston College is really good. The campus is clean, well organized, and has everything you need. Libraries (some are open 24/7), plenty of study spaces, cafés, sports facilities, and shuttle buses between campuses. Overall, it’s very student-friendly and easy to get around. The academic culture is quite different compared to WU. At Boston College, you can’t just sit in lectures and listen. Class participation makes up a significant part of your grade, so you're expected to prepare and actively contribute in class. Teaching is much more interactive and discussion-based than at WU. Classes are smaller, professors know your name, and there's a lot of direct interaction. Most courses include readings, case discussions, group work, presentations, and short papers. On top of that, there's usually a midterm exam and a final exam, which means you need to stay engaged throughout the entire semester. Compared to WU, the workload is more spread out over the semester. It can feel intense at times, but it also keeps you engaged and involved. Overall, studying at Boston College felt more personal, interactive, and practice-oriented.

5. Every day life in the host country

There is public transport, but you shouldn’t expect it to be perfect. Getting from Boston College into the city with the T usually takes around 45 minutes. It works fine most of the time, but it can be slow, crowded, and sometimes unreliable. Still, it’s what most students use, and you get used to it quickly. Uber and Lyft are also very common, especially at night. There are always events on campus and many different club activities. Make sure to follow the Instagram accounts of the clubs or departments to stay updated. There is usually a club fair week where clubs present themselves and you can sign up. I highly recommend going there and joining at least one club to get involved. Sports are huge at BC. Football, hockey, and basketball games are a must, even if you’re not really into sports, because the atmosphere is great. Outside campus, there's plenty to do as well. Boston, and especially Cambridge, has great restaurants, bars, museums, and concerts. To get updated on upcoming concerts, check out Ticketmaster or SeatGeek. There are also easy weekend trips to places like Salem or Cape Cod. Overall, life in Boston is fun and social, with plenty to do both during the week and on weekends.

6. Testimonial

My exchange completely changed how I think about studying and myself. The whole experience pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way, from navigating a new city to connecting with people from completely different backgrounds. It was the everyday moments that made it unforgettable, like cheering at hockey games, late-night talks with my roommates, exploring Boston, and just figuring life out in a completely new place. It was challenging and definitely not cheap, but I made genuine friendships and grew in ways I never expected.