Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I would recommend to take enough time to prepare your application. You might need a few days to finish your application. It took me quite a time to think about the questions. When you are accepted at a university it is time to prepare for your semester abroad. The most important things for me were accommodation, bank account and papers you need to visit the country. Generally, the whole process is very long from application to registration and much more. You should definitely keep the time limits in mind (I wrote them down and added them to my calendar).

2. Accommodation

It was very easy to find an accommodation since UofA offers many different housing options. I chose the Nipisiy House and I would definitely do it again. You share an apartment with 4 or 6 people. You can choose the gender and your preferences. The apartments are furnished but you will need to buy stuff like blankets, pillows and stuff for the kitchen. I would recommend going to Value Village or Goodwill (second hand). The stores are nearby so you can easily get there by bus. Nipisiy House is on campus and it only took me 10 minutes to get to my classes. I felt very safe living on campus and everything you need is nearby. The subway and bus station is 5 minutes away and the next grocery shop is 10 minutes away.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus infrastructure is excellent — everything is within about a 15-minute walking distance. The teaching style is quite similar: the professors were very friendly, and just like at WU, it really depends on the individual lecturer how a course is taught. Compared to WU, some courses are shorter, although it really depends on which ones you choose.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport around the campus is very convenient, as you can get an ARC card which allows you to easily use buses and the subway. The connections are very good, with bus stops and a subway station located directly near the campus. In terms of safety, I always felt secure while being on campus, because there are many Peace Officers present who help maintain a safe environment. Social life at the university is also very active, since the university offers many activities for students. There are several fitness centers and many opportunities to participate in sports, as well as lots of cafés nearby. In addition, there are many sports clubs you can join, making it easy to meet new people and stay engaged.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was an amazing experience because I met so many new people from different backgrounds. We quickly became friends and almost every weekend we went on trips together to explore new places. One of the highlights was visiting the Rocky Mountains, which I can highly recommend because the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Overall, choosing to do an exchange semester was a very good decision, and I will always remember it as a special and unforgettable time.