Details

• United States of America
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process was straightforward. For Bentley, a solid motivation letter was sufficient, and I did not need anything overly elaborate beyond the standard documents. I booked my flights as soon as I had a rough idea of my required arrival date. The final confirmation of dates came relatively late (late August), so planning with some flexibility is useful. Onboarding takes place in the last week of August, but for Master’s exchange students it is not mandatory—so you can arrive slightly later if needed.

2. Accommodation

I was lucky to have a personal contact: a friend studying in Boston had a spare room for the duration of my stay. This made the housing process easy and stress-free and I lived in a private room in a shared apartment. I lived in Cambridge, about 15 minutes by bike from Harvard Square. I commuted daily using a Bluebikes rental membership. From Harvard Square, Bentley’s university shuttle runs roughly hourly and takes around 30 minutes to campus. I felt safe in Cambridge throughout the semester and appreciated living in an area with a lot going on. For Master’s exchange students, I would strongly recommend living off campus—ideally in Cambridge or Boston—difficult to find something but worth it (and also cheaper than on-campus housing (If you live on campus, take the cheapest meal plan)). Many Master’s exchange students who lived on Bentley’s campus told me they regretted it: the campus feels somewhat isolated (“dead-end”). On-campus housing may work well for Bachelor’s students who want a full campus experience, but for Master’s students, being closer to Cambridge/Boston makes a big difference socially and culturally.

3. Academic life at host university

Bentley’s campus is modern and well equipped, comparable to WU in terms of infrastructure and learning spaces. The teaching style felt more interactive than what I am used to at WU. Professors are very engaging and approachable, and classes often rely on case-based learning, participation, and discussion. The atmosphere in class was friendly, and students are generally expected to contribute actively. If possible, I would recommend choosing courses that are assessed through projects and group work rather than written exams. This makes it easier to collaborate with local students and helps you build connections quickly.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in the Boston/Cambridge area works well (Metro and buses), but I personally used it less than expected. I relied mainly on a Bluebikes membership (around $30/month), which was convenient and efficient for daily life. I generally felt safe in Cambridge and Boston, especially in the university areas and the neighborhoods where students typically live. There are many social events—organized not only by Bentley, but also by the many universities in the area (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Boston College). This makes it easy to meet people beyond your host university. For sports, Bentley has a free gym that is high quality and very easy to use regularly. In Cambridge, running along the river is also a great option, and the city is generally very walkable and active.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at Bentley was a great academic and personal experience. What made it special was living in Cambridge, which gave me access to a vibrant student environment and allowed me to meet people from universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston College rather than being limited to Bentley’s campus. I especially enjoyed the interactive US teaching style with open and engaging professors. Boston was also an excellent base for traveling around New England, and affordable bus options (e.g., Peter Pan) made weekend trips very easy.