Details

• Japan
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 6 months

1. Preparation

For the interview, I mainly prepared by thinking about why I wanted to go to Japan and especially why I chose Waseda as my first choice. I also prepared myself for some general questions about Japan. I think it is important to have a real motivation for going to Japan and not only say that you want to see the country. Showing interest in the culture is very important. For Waseda University, I would say it is one of the more competitive partner universities in Japan, so I would recommend preparing well for the interview and also trying to have a strong GPA. I also chose only universities in Japan as my preferences, which I think helped signal a strong motivation for going there. After being allocated to Waseda, the rest of the process was quite structured. You have to submit a lot of documents, but the university clearly tells you what to submit and how to do it. I arrived in mid-September (direct flight), which worked well because classes only started in October but there were already some orientation events. Arriving at that time was helpful because it gave me time to manage paperwork and move in before classes started. I would also recommend booking your flight early, as prices can become very expensive if you book shortly before departure.

2. Accommodation

There are housing options provided by the university, but they are not guaranteed. After being selected, you will receive more information about the available options. The university dormitories are allocated through a lottery system. However, the university also provides information about other dormitories and housing options. Most of the people I met during my exchange lived in some kind of dormitory. I think most students were paying around €500 per month. My dormitory cost €610 per month, which included breakfast and dinner. Overall, the housing situation was quite good. I liked my dormitory and was happy with my choice. However, it is important to check all the details before choosing a dormitory, especially the distance from campus. In general, dormitory life is nice, but it can also be quite strict. For example, you had to notify the dorm manager if you were leaving for a few days, and there were also rules regarding visitors.

3. Academic life at host university

In my opinion, the academic workload was very manageable and overall less time-consuming than at WU. The courses were generally manageable. However, the choice of professor is very important. Some professors grade quite generously, while others can be very strict. Most courses require attendance, and this is usually checked. I was able to structure my schedule so that I only had to go to campus two or three times per week. I would recommend researching courses in advance before enrolling. The course formats were quite mixed. Some courses had final exams, while others required papers or group work. One thing I noticed is that the atmosphere at the university felt quite different compared to what I experienced in Austria. Many Japanese students I met did not seem to care as much about grades but focused more on socializing and enjoying student life, which was quite unexpected to me. The classroom dynamic is also quite different from what we are used to at WU. I would recommend observing the first few days to understand how things work. I would also strongly recommend joining a student club, as this is one of the easiest ways to make friends. This will be explained once you arrive. Unfortunately, I was not able to take a Japanese language course through the university because too many people applied. Therefore, I would recommend looking for alternative language courses if you want to learn Japanese during your stay.

5. Every day life in the host country

My everyday life during the exchange was great. I had university three days per week, and we often had lunch together with friends. On the other days, I spent time exploring Tokyo and traveling to other parts of Japan. Even though Tokyo is a huge city with many people, I did not feel stressed (it is a very safe city). Everything is very structured and organized compared to other big cities. At the beginning, it can feel a bit overwhelming to follow all the rules, such as how to stand in line for public transport, which side to walk on, and many other social rules. However, after some time it becomes very natural. I went out quite often, mostly to bars rather than clubs, and we also ate at restaurants frequently because food is relatively cheap and very high quality. Overall, I rarely felt bored because there was always something to do. I also joined a badminton club, which was one of the best decisions I made during my exchange. It helped me meet many new people and gave my week a nice structure. Daily life was also very convenient. I often got breakfast at a convenience store (combini), which was cheap and good. However, if you want even cheaper food, I recommend going to supermarkets because they offer high-quality food at very good prices. Since Tokyo is such a large city with many different activities, you can structure your everyday life in many different ways. One tip I would give is to get a commuter pass. I did not get one in the first few months and later realized that it would have saved me a lot of money because transportation costs can add up quickly if you travel frequently.

6. Testimonial

This exchange semester was exactly what I hoped for. I had an amazing time, and I do not think another destination would have been as good for me. I made many great memories and built strong friendships. One of my absolute highlights was being invited to a family birthday by a Japanese friend, which gave me the opportunity to experience Japanese culture and hospitality in a very personal way.