Details

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

1. Preparation

All relevant documents should be requested and collected from WU at an early stage. It is advisable to create both a digital and a physical folder in order to keep track of everything at all times. In addition, the Mobility Grant should be applied for in good time, as it represents an important source of financial support for the semester abroad. A particularly central point is applying for the visa. The website is partly complicated to navigate, so sufficient time should be planned for preparation. The appointment at the US Embassy in Vienna should be scheduled early. All required documents as well as a passport photo must be brought to the appointment. Enough time should be planned for the entire process; in my case, the appointment took about four hours. Before departure, vaccinations should also be checked and refreshed if necessary. Proof of English proficiency is required in the form of a language certificate; I completed the Duolingo English Test for this purpose. Another important aspect is accommodation. There are housing options offered directly by the university, for which one should apply as early as possible. Alternatively, it is also possible to decide against living on campus and search for private accommodation. Once the visa and semester dates are confirmed, it is advisable to book flights. Finally, the desired courses at North Carolina State University should be applied for and coordinated with the Learning Agreement.

2. Accommodation

When searching for accommodation, it is advisable to inform yourself about the official housing options offered by the university as early as possible. Many options fill up quickly at the beginning, which is why applying early is crucial. It is highly recommended to apply for the Wolf Ridge Apartments or the Wolf Village Apartments at North Carolina State University. There, you have your own room and live in an apartment with a kitchen shared with a total of four people, which offers significantly more privacy and flexibility. The application is submitted directly through the university’s website and should be done as early as possible. The traditional student dormitories are also well organized; however, you usually share a room with another person. In addition, the bathroom and kitchen are shared with several students, and often there is only one communal kitchen per floor. This can work, but it is considerably less private. Living directly on campus has many advantages. You are very close to student life, classes, libraries, and leisure activities, which saves a lot of time in everyday life. Spontaneous meetings and events are also much easier to attend. However, I personally decided against living on campus and instead lived in a privately rented apartment outside the campus with a friend. We found the apartment through Facebook Marketplace. Caution is required there, as there are many scammers. Video viewings, clear contracts, and avoiding advance payments without proper security are particularly important. If you do not live on campus, you should definitely pay attention to the location. Public transportation in Raleigh is rather limited, and many places are not easily reachable on foot. On the positive side, you can use the free university bus, the Wolfline. In my case, the ride to campus only took about ten minutes. Nevertheless, it is important to choose accommodation that is actually close to a suitable bus line.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of North Carolina State University is very large and widely spread out. There are numerous study spaces, libraries, sports facilities, and many opportunities to join university clubs and student organizations. Overall, campus life is very active and strongly integrated into everyday academic life. The academic culture differs significantly from that at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Classes are more personal and place greater emphasis on continuous participation. Professors and teaching assistants are very approachable and helpful, so students should not hesitate to contact them directly by email or attend office hours if they have questions. Courses usually do not consist of a single large final exam but rather many smaller assessments. These include regular homework assignments, small tests, group projects, and midterms that are spread throughout the semester. As a result, the weekly workload is somewhat higher, but the overall assessment is more evenly distributed and less dependent on a single exam. Many exams are multiple-choice tests and are held in a so-called Test Center. There, the exam is completed on designated computers, similar to the theoretical driving test in Austria. It is important to know that the available test appointments fill up quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to register early in order to secure a suitable time slot. In addition, students should arrange the required textbooks and online access for the individual courses as early as possible, as these are usually subject to additional costs and are often needed already at the beginning of the semester. Some platforms are directly linked to homework assignments, tests, or quizzes, which makes early access particularly important. However, the major advantage of this system is that students who work consistently throughout the semester experience very little stress at the end. Those who regularly complete assignments, contribute to projects, and take the smaller tests seriously have very good chances of achieving a good grade without excessive exam pressure.

5. Every day life in the host country

As already mentioned, public transportation around the campus of North Carolina State University is generally good. The university bus system, the Wolfline, is particularly recommended. I would rather advise against using the city buses in Raleigh. For trips outside the campus, we often used Uber or Lyft, as the rides are comparatively inexpensive and especially safe in the evening. Overall, the safety situation on campus is very good. The entire campus is monitored, there are emergency call stations, and there is a dedicated campus security service. I felt very safe throughout my entire stay, even in the evening hours. There are numerous leisure activities available. We traveled a lot, as domestic flights within the United States are often relatively inexpensive. Raleigh itself also offers many activities, both cultural and sports-related. I was particularly impressed by the events organized directly by the university, especially the football and basketball games, which are an important part of campus life. A major highlight is the university’s multi-story fitness center. All training areas, classes, and facilities can be used by students free of charge. A practical tip is to rent a locker at the beginning of the semester for about 20 US dollars for the entire semester. This allows you to leave your sports clothes directly at the fitness center instead of bringing them with you each time.

6. Testimonial

My semester abroad at North Carolina State University was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I made friendships with people from all over the world and learned an incredible amount both academically and personally. Through traveling within the United States, I was able to get to know many different states, significantly improve my language skills, and gain a better understanding of myself. This semester abroad had a lasting impact on me and will always remain a very positive memory.