Details

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

1. Preparation

From my experience, it is very helpful to start the preparation for the exchange semester as early as possible. There are many things to organize, and starting in time makes the whole process much less stressful. One thing that helped me a lot was creating a list with all possible accommodation options. I looked at both on-campus housing and off-campus housing, compared prices, locations, and availability, and tried to keep several alternatives open. This was useful because sometimes the first option does not work out, so it is good to already have other possibilities in mind. Another thing I would definitely recommend is trying to connect with other students before arriving. I joined social media groups and reached out to other exchange students who were going to the same university. This made the whole experience much easier because we could exchange information, share tips, and already know a few people before arriving. Overall, preparing early and connecting with other students beforehand really helped me start my exchange semester in a much more relaxed and organized way.

2. Accommodation

During my exchange semester, I lived in a student apartment in Wolf Ridge, which is part of the university housing options (similar to Wolf Village). I shared the apartment with three other students, but everyone had their own single room, which I would definitely recommend. It gives you enough privacy while still allowing you to live together and socialize with other students. Overall, my experience with the accommodation was very positive. The area felt safe, and there were many other students living nearby, which made it easy to meet people and feel part of the campus community. In terms of location, it was also very convenient. It took me around 15 minutes by bus to get to my classes, and the public transportation worked well for getting around campus. One tip I would give future students is to try to secure a single room in a shared apartment if possible. It offers a good balance between having your own space and still living with other students, which can make the exchange experience more social and enjoyable.

3. Academic life at host university

Overall, I had a very positive academic experience at the university. The campus facilities are excellent – everything is very modern, well organized, and designed to support student life. There are many study spaces, libraries, and areas where students can meet and work together. The campus itself is also very large and lively, which creates a great university atmosphere. Compared to WU Vienna, the teaching style felt more interactive and practical. Many classes focused on discussions, group work, and real-life examples rather than only theoretical concepts. Professors often encouraged students to participate, share their opinions, and connect the course content with practical business situations. This made the learning experience very engaging. There are two courses that I would highly recommend to future exchange students. The first one is RED 590 – Special Topics in Real Estate Development taught by Jason Kogok. This course was extremely interesting because it focused heavily on real-life real estate projects and practical industry insights. The professor shared a lot of personal experience from the field, which made the course very valuable and different from traditional lectures. The second course I highly recommend is BUS 466 – Personal Selling taught by David Henard. The course was very interactive and focused on practical skills that are highly relevant for business and sales. The professor created a very engaging class environment and provided many useful insights that can be applied in real professional situations. In my opinion, these two professors were the best during my semester, because both of them brought a lot of real-life experience into the classroom and created an environment where students could learn practical and valuable skills.

5. Every day life in the host country

Getting around was generally quite easy, although distances are often longer compared to many European cities. Most places are accessible by bus or Uber, and I used both regularly. The bus system works well for getting to campus and other nearby areas, but since the city is quite spread out, travel times can sometimes be longer. In terms of safety, I personally always felt comfortable and safe during my stay. The campus area in particular is very well organized and secure, which made daily life quite relaxed. One of the best parts of the experience was the wide range of social and leisure activities available. There are many different sports options, such as basketball, kickboxing, football, and many others. The university offers a lot of opportunities to stay active and try new things. There are also many events throughout the semester. For example, attending American football games was a highlight, as the atmosphere is very different from what we are used to in Europe. In addition, there are many networking and business events, which are great opportunities to meet new people, connect with students and professionals, and gain additional insights outside of the classroom. Overall, there is always something happening, so it is easy to stay active, meet new people, and fully enjoy the exchange experience.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina was a wonderful experience, and I would definitely do it again. During this time, I had the opportunity to meet many great people from different countries, expand my personal and professional network, and improve both my academic and personal skills. Outside of university, I spent a lot of my free time trying out the different sports activities offered on campus and attending various events. One of the highlights was definitely going to American football games, which have an incredible atmosphere and are a big part of the student culture. In addition, there were many other events where it was easy to meet new people and experience campus life. Overall, the exchange semester was one of the best experiences of my life. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, experience a new culture, and grow both personally and academically. I can highly recommend this experience to anyone who is open to exploring something new and making the most out of their time abroad.