Details

• Türkiye
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Koç University prepares every detail for you—especially if you stay on campus, which I highly recommend. From arrival support to housing, orientation, and daily campus life, everything is well organized. One very important tip: 👉 Listen carefully to the instructions they give you. They provide all the information you need, but you have to pay attention and follow their guidelines. If you do, the entire process—from arrival to settling in—runs smoothly and stress-free.

2. Accommodation

I stayed in a student residence on campus, and I would strongly recommend this option to future exchange students. Living on campus meant: • Constant contact with other exchange students • A strong sense of community from day one • Easy access to social events, study groups, and campus life • Never feeling lonely, even during the first weeks Compared to private housing, on-campus living requires far less effort in terms of organization and reduces the risk of isolation, particularly in a large city.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus offers excellent facilities that support both academic and social life. Libraries, study areas, cafés, sports facilities, and green spaces are all located close to each other, which makes daily life very convenient. Because many students follow a similar schedule, it is common to meet spontaneously for coffee during lecture breaks. This strongly contributes to a close-knit campus community and makes the campus feel lively throughout the day. The academic culture is characterized by a strong sense of community. Students spend a lot of time on campus, not only for classes but also for studying and socializing. Group learning, informal discussions, and meeting peers between lectures are part of everyday life. Compared to Vienna University of Economics and Business, where students often leave campus after classes, campus life here is much more central to the overall study experience. The teaching style differs noticeably from WU Vienna: • Assessment is continuous, with midterms and finals being the standard format • Some courses apply a curved grading system, where performance is evaluated relative to the cohort • Classes tend to be more structured, with regular assignments and clear expectations throughout the semester At WU Vienna, assessment often focuses more heavily on one final exam, whereas here you are encouraged to stay engaged consistently during the semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport on campus is very well organized. There is a free shuttle bus running regularly between West Campus (student residences) and Main Campus, where all lectures take place. Since I lived on West Campus, this made daily commuting extremely easy and reliable. The bus schedule is aligned with lecture times, so you never feel dependent on external public transport for your academic routine. The overall safety situation is excellent. The campus is a closed and monitored area, with security staff and controlled access at all times. This creates a very safe environment, especially for students living on campus. Moving around the campus—even in the evening—felt comfortable and secure, which added significantly to my quality of life during the semester. Social life is highly campus-centered. Because most students follow a similar schedule, people naturally meet during breaks, often for coffee between lectures. This routine creates a strong sense of community and makes social interaction effortless. You don’t need to actively “search” for social opportunities—connections happen organically throughout the day. The university regularly organizes events, gatherings, and student activities, which makes it easy to meet both local and international students. Living on campus means you are always close to what’s happening and can participate spontaneously, without long travel times or planning barriers. There is a wide range of sports and fitness facilities available directly on campus. These include gyms and organized sports activities, making it easy to stay active alongside studying. Having sports facilities integrated into campus life encourages a balanced routine and is another reason why spending most of your time on campus feels natural.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester was an intense and unforgettable experience. We traveled a lot together and, in a very short time, built incredibly strong connections. The close campus community and shared experiences made the exchange feel special from the very beginning.