Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Application Process: In the motivation letter, it is important to think about why you actually want to study abroad. This will also help to understand what you want to gain from the exchange semester. The interview process was very relaxed in my experience, although this may vary depending on the interviewer. When ranking universities, consider their popularity by looking at the statistics from previous years and include a few less competitive options among your lower preferences as safe choices. General Preparation: Try to keep an overview of all your to-dos right from the start, as the period before departure involves a lot of administrative work. Getting everything ready before you leave is probably the most paperwork-heavy part of the exchange. Northeastern did a great job of clearly outlining key information and deadlines through their GEO portal. It’s also a good idea to take care of your visa & insuarnce early, as well as vaccinations and accommodation searches, especially if you plan to live off campus.

2. Accommodation

I decided early on to live on campus, as finding off-campus accommodation for just one semester is quite difficult and often not significantly cheaper. I ended up in East Village (EV), which turned out to be a great choice. All exchange students were placed on the same floor, which made it feel a bit like a school trip. Everyone lived right next door, and it was very easy to connect. I was initially assigned to a forced triple room with a shared bathroom, but since both of my roommates eventually did not come, I ended up having the room to myself, sharing the bathroom with 2 exchange students from Italy. In general, space in the rooms is limited, so if you do have roommates, itry to get along from the beginning and be prepared for bunk beds. Overall, living on campus was a great choice for me. You are always close to everything, never more than a five-minute walk to class, which saves a lot of time and makes it easier to balance coursework and free time. Laundry facilities were located on other floors, and we had a common room on our floor where we often met to study, play games, or just hang out. The campus feels very safe, with Northeastern police present throughout the area. A meal plan is mandatory if you live on campus, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food in the dining halls, including healthy options. It is possible to email Dining Services to downgrade to a smaller meal plan (down to 100 meals) if you want more flexibility and do not plan to eat there every day. I had the 180-meal plan and usually went twice a day, but the 150-meal plan would also be sufficient if you plan to eat out regularly.

3. Academic life at host university

One of the biggest advantages of choosing Northeastern University is its location. Most of Boston is within walking distance, with Newbury Street (the main shopping street) about a 15-minute walk away. Public transportation is excellent by U.S. standards: while it is old and occasionally stops for a few minutes without a clear reason, it is generally reliable and easy to use. The campus itself is very large by European standards and offers several cafés, two gyms, green spaces to relax in, and many different study spots. Academically, the classes were not overly difficult but very informative. Be prepared to stay busy, as many courses include weekly homework, group presentations, quizzes, and exams within the same class. Everything is manageable, but mandatory attendance is common and should not be underestimated. Professors are extremely friendly and approachable, office hours are helpful, and emailing them is always an option. After a few weeks, most instructors knew our names and actively tried to make classes engaging. I took four classes, with around 12-14 hours of class time per week, usually spread across the entire week.

5. Every day life in the host country

Boston is a very safe city, and I never had any uncomfortable or scary encounters. As everywhere, it is wise to be a bit more careful around subway stations at night, but overall I always felt safe. I would describe Boston as the most European city in the U.S., it is relatively old by American standards, something locals are very proud of, and the city grew organically rather than following a grid system. Sports play a huge role in Boston’s culture, ranging from baseball (Red Sox), NBA (Boston Celtics), NFL (New England Patriots), and NHL (Boston Bruins) to college sports. Attending Northeastern hockey and basketball games is highly recommended, they are free and a great way to experience U.S. campus culture. Boston also offers a strong cultural scene, with many museums such as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as plenty of historical attractions like the Freedom Trail and the Boston Tea Party sites. The city is very walkable, so there is always something to do. However, do not expect a strong nightlife culture, bars and clubs close at 2 a.m. and are quite expensive compared to Vienna. Beyond the city, there are many great day and weekend trips, including Salem, hikes in the Blue Hills Reservation, Cambridge with MIT and Harvard University, several nearby beaches, and destinations such as Portland, Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire (especially in fall), Providence and Newport in Rhode Island via commuter rail with affordable weekend passes, Cape Cod, and of course New York City. If you are flexible, it is also worth checking for cheap flights to cities like Chicago.

6. Testimonial

Going on exchange is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I would strongly recommend doing it. Every exchange experience is different, and it largely depends on what you make of it. Being open and willing to step outside your comfort zone is key (Remember: it is not good or bad, just different). The events organized by the Northeastern Exchange Team were always well organized and a great way to meet other exchange students. Since you often end up sticking with the people you meet early on, it helps to be proactive from the beginning. At the same time, group work in classes makes it easy to connect with people throughout the semester. With more than 300 student clubs covering almost every interest imaginable, there are countless opportunities to meet new people, making it easy to find friends,especially among other exchange students who are all in the same situation. Boston has become a second home for me, and I am certain I will come back.