Details

• United States of America
• MAFW&RW-13
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

The application process for an exchange semester at WU Vienna is clearly structured and well-supported through the International Office and official online resources. On the WU website, detailed information is provided about available exchange places, eligibility criteria, required documents, and application steps. During the main application period, students apply online and can select up to seven preferred partner universities. After submitting the online application, WU evaluates applicants based on their GPA and a personal suitability score that also includes whether it is mandatory, voluntary or not suggested in your degree to go abroad, and places are then allocated accordingly.

2. Accommodation

I stayed in Baity Hill, a student residence operated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The accommodation process was very well organized and guided by UNC, especially through the International Office and the program coordinator Patricia Collins. As an exchange student, I did not need to search independently on the private housing market, which made the process a little bit more convenient. Baity Hill is an on-campus residential area, primarily housing graduate students and exchange students. One major advantage is the close proximity to the university: the Kenan-Flagler Business School can be reached in about five minutes on foot, which is extremely convenient for daily classes and group work. The area itself feels very safe and quiet, as it is located directly on campus and surrounded by other university facilities. However, Baity Hill is relatively remote from the city center of Chapel Hill. Walking to downtown takes approximately 35 minutes, and reaching the larger gyms usually takes 15–20 minutes. The nearest grocery store is also 35 minutes away. This is why we often chose to take a bus to the grocery store, buy enough food and drinks for two weeks and then used an Uber/Lift home (they are pretty affordable and often necessary in Chapel Hill if you don't want to spend hours in buses). Buses run as well which we used sometimes for going out, but for daily commuting within Chapel Hill, I mostly chose walking. One of the biggest benefits of living in Baity Hill is the strong social aspect. Many exchange students live there, which makes it easy to connect and socialize. Regarding comfort, the rooms are functional but basic. The beds are not particularly comfortable, but they are absolutely manageable for a five-month stay, and overall the accommodation meets all essential needs. You have a lot of space, relatively large kitchen and living room. Rooms are always shared with one other person, usually an exchange student as well.

3. Academic life at host university

UNC Chapel Hill has a beautiful and very well-organized campus, and the Kenan-Flagler Business School in particular offers great infrastructure. All of my courses took place in the business school area, which is located on the edge of campus. Everything you need as a student is there: small group study rooms for teamwork, plenty of learning spaces, a small gym, and a cafeteria. The cafeteria is convenient but quite expensive, so I always prepared my own food. A new business school building is currently opening, which will definitely improve the experience even further for future exchange students. Compared to WU Vienna, the academic culture at UNC feels more interactive and continuous. Participation in class is not only encouraged but often expected and graded. This took some getting used to at first, but it really helps you stay engaged throughout the semester. Instead of preparing mainly for one big final exam, courses usually consist of many smaller assignments such as presentations, group projects, case studies, quizzes, and short written tasks spread over the semester. The teaching style was one of my favorite aspects of studying at UNC. Professors are very approachable and clearly enjoy teaching. Classes are interactive, discussion-based, and often include guest speakers from industry, which makes the content feel practical and relevant. The focus is less on pure theory and more on applying concepts to real-world business situations. Overall, I really enjoyed the quality of the courses and the teaching at UNC. The combination of great facilities, engaging classes, and experienced professors made the academic side of my exchange semester a very positive experience.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Chapel Hill is very much shaped by the university, which makes settling in as an exchange student quite easy. Since most places are either on campus or close by, I mainly got around by walking or using the local buses. The bus system is simple and works well for students. For anything a bit farther away or for late nights, Uber and Lyft are very common and not too expensive, so getting around without a car wasn't a problem. Regarding safety, I felt very safe throughout my entire stay. Chapel Hill is essentially a student town, and campus life plays a big role in daily routines. The campus itself feels safe, and I never had concerns walking around, even in the evenings. When it comes to social life and leisure activities, UNC offers a lot. There are many gyms and sports facilities, including beach volleyball, tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts. It’s also easy to join recreational sports teams, which are more focused on fun than competition and are a great way to meet people and stay active. One of the absolute highlights of everyday life was college sports. I watched almost everything, but football season in the fall semester is definitely the best. The tailgates before the games are amazing, and the stadium atmosphere is impressive, even if it’s not quite comparable to European soccer. Still, it’s a very unique part of U.S. college culture and something I would highly recommend experiencing. Outside of campus, downtown Chapel Hill is small but very nice. There are lots of cafés, restaurants, and bars, and we spent a lot of time there going out in the evenings. It has a lively but relaxed vibe and is perfect for student life. However, especially in winter, people got slightly bored of it a little bit as well. Finally, traveling within the U.S. is definitely something you should plan for during an exchange semester. There are many interesting places to visit, but it can be quite expensive. Even so, traveling and seeing more of the country was one of the most memorable parts of my exchange.

6. Testimonial

UNC Chapel Hill is definitely a great choice for a semester abroad. As one of the most successful and historic sports schools in the U.S., it truly feels like a real American college experience. Walking across campus, seeing students everywhere in Carolina blue and UNC merch, and feeling how strongly people identify with the university makes the atmosphere very special. At the same time, UNC offers a great balance between an active leisure life and strong academic opportunities. You can enjoy campus life, sports, and social activities while still learning a lot academically which, at least for me, was the perfect combination.