Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The preparation process for my exchange semester at Baruch College (CUNY) through WU went relatively smoothly overall, as long as deadlines were respected and all required documents were submitted carefully. The application process itself is well structured, but it does require good planning in advance, especially when it comes to choosing courses and organizing documents. The most time-consuming part was clearly the US visa process, which requires patience and early preparation. While the process is quite bureaucratic, it is manageable if you secure a visa appointment early enough and prepare all documents properly. Despite longer waiting times, the visa application itself was not a major obstacle. I would strongly recommend starting the visa process as early as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.

2. Accommodation

Many exchange students choose to find accommodation through platforms such as Airbnb, which is a common and flexible option in New York City. However, I decided to stay at FOUND Study East, a student housing residence, as it was one of the most affordable and convenient options available. The cost was approximately $1,250 per month for a shared room with a private bathroom. The accommodation does not include a private kitchen in the standard option, but students have the possibility to pay slightly more for a room with their own kitchen or significantly more if they wish to have a private room entirely to themselves. The location of FOUND Study East was ideal. It was around 30 minutes by foot and 15 minutes by subway from Baruch College, which made commuting very easy. Additionally, the residence is located very close to Fifth Avenue and Central Park, which made the area especially attractive. Overall, the accommodation was very clean, well-organized, and felt safe at all times. Thanks to its central location, good transport connections, and reasonable price for New York standards, it was a perfect choice for my exchange semester.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Baruch College was overall very easy and significantly less demanding compared to WU. The level of difficulty of the courses was noticeably lower, and the workload was very manageable throughout the semester. In my experience, it was much easier to achieve good grades than at WU. One major advantage of the academic system at Baruch is that students have many opportunities to improve their grades through additional work, such as extra assignments, bonus tasks, short papers, or extracurricular activities connected to the course. This makes grading very flexible and student-friendly, especially for exchange students. Attendance plays an important role, and being present in class is strongly emphasized. However, active participation is usually not strictly required. As long as you attend classes regularly, there is generally no pressure to speak up or contribute actively in every session. Overall, the academic environment was straightforward, well structured, and low-stress, which allowed me to focus not only on my studies but also on fully experiencing life in New York City during my exchange semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in New York City is exciting but can also be quite expensive. I personally did not eat out very often, as restaurants and cafés are costly compared to Austria. Instead, cooking at home was a much more budget-friendly option. For groceries, Trader Joe’s is by far the best place to shop as a student, offering good quality food at comparatively affordable prices. Student nightlife in New York is great and very diverse; however, it is strictly limited to students aged 21 and above, which is important to keep in mind. In terms of safety, I felt very safe in New York overall. That being said, I usually avoided taking the subway late at night and preferred using Uber during those hours, which made me feel more comfortable. New York is an extremely walkable city. You end up walking everywhere, and it is not unusual to reach around 20,000 steps per day without even realizing it. Public transport during the day is very efficient, but walking is often the fastest and most enjoyable way to explore the city. Winter in New York can get very cold, with temperatures dropping to around –20°C at times, so proper winter clothing is essential. I would highly recommend spending a lot of time in Brooklyn, as it feels more relaxed, diverse, and authentic compared to Manhattan, while still offering great food, culture, and nightlife. Pro tip: If you are flying into JFK Airport, take the AirTrain and then the E subway line into the city. This costs around $15 in total and is a much better option than taking an Uber, which can easily cost around $100.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in New York City exceeded all expectations. While I initially had concerns that living in NYC long-term might be overwhelming or disappointing compared to visiting as a tourist, the opposite was the case. The city quickly felt like a second home. Although the cost of living is high, the experiences, personal growth, and memories gained are absolutely worth it. Studying at Baruch College while living in New York City is a unique opportunity that combines high-quality education with an unmatched urban experience. If you are considering New York as your exchange destination and are willing to embrace a fast-paced, international environment, I can highly recommend it. The experience is truly one of a kind.