Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

One tip for the application process at WU is to simply be authentic during the interview. It is not necessary to overthink it too much. Just explain honestly why you want to go on exchange and why you are interested in the specific university. If possible, it can also make sense to check your transcript beforehand and see if there are one or two weaker grades you might want to retake anyway. Improving them before applying can sometimes strengthen your overall profile. When preparing for the semester abroad, I would strongly recommend starting the visa process as early as possible. The process involves several steps and appointments, so it helps a lot if you begin early. The guide provided by the partner university is very helpful and explains the process clearly. If you have questions, you can also contact the international office at Texas A&M. They are very supportive, and Kerrie Vance in particular was extremely helpful and always happy to assist. Another important aspect is housing. Try to organize accommodation as early as possible, since this can easily become the biggest bottleneck. Areas close to Northgate are especially convenient because many students live there and it is close to restaurants, bars, and campus. Apartment complexes such as Lark or The Standard are popular among students. A good strategy is to open Google Maps, search for Northgate, and then look for nearby student housing complexes. Once you find a few options, contact them early and send inquiries to several places at the same time. This increases your chances of securing a good apartment before the semester starts. One thing that surprised me during the preparation process was how bureaucratic some of the U.S. application and visa systems still feel. At times it honestly felt like filling out forms from the early 2000s, almost like doing an application on Windows 7. There are many separate steps, different websites, and quite a lot of paperwork involved. This can definitely feel frustrating at times, so it helps to stay patient and simply follow the instructions step by step. In my case, the situation was also a bit complicated because visa processing was suddenly paused for a period of time due to political decisions in the U.S. at that moment. This created some uncertainty and delays during the preparation phase. Situations like this are obviously outside of your control, so the best advice is simply to start the process as early as possible and leave yourself enough buffer time.

2. Accommodation

Because my visa was approved quite late (only at the end of July), I was in a slightly different situation than most students when it came to housing. At that point, many of the typical student apartments were already fully booked. Because of this, I ended up searching in Facebook groups and eventually found a shared house, which actually turned out to be a really good option. However, if you start early, this situation can easily be avoided. As mentioned before, the best advice is to begin looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you do that, you should still have plenty of good options available. When choosing where to live, it is also worth checking whether the apartment is located on a good bus route that goes directly to the Mays Business School. The university bus system works very well and is free for students, so having a convenient bus connection can make daily life much easier. Another useful option is renting a bike for the semester. Many exchange students do this because it makes getting around campus much more flexible. Renting a bike is usually not too expensive and it can be much easier than relying only on buses. However, many students noticed that the bikes provided are sometimes not in perfect condition. For example, the tires can already be quite worn and you will probably have to pump them up regularly. Still, overall it is a very convenient way to get to campus and move around the area. One thing to keep in mind is the weather at the beginning of the semester. In August and September it can be extremely hot in Texas, so biking during the day can feel quite exhausting. Fortunately, the campus and the surrounding areas are generally very safe, so getting around by bike or bus is not a problem.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Texas A&M was honestly one of the highlights of the entire exchange. The overall experience was really great. The whole college environment is very different from what I was used to in Vienna. Students are extremely proud of their university and of being an “Aggie”, which creates a very strong sense of community on campus. I also had some really interesting courses with outstanding professors. Compared to my experience at WU, the teaching quality felt significantly higher in many cases. At WU I sometimes felt that lectures were more standardized, whereas at Texas A&M the professors were often much more engaging and inspiring. A good example is Ken McFarland, who was truly an exceptional professor. His lectures were extremely well structured, interactive, and full of practical insights. Another big difference is the teaching style. Many classes involve discussions, participation, and interaction with the professor rather than just listening to a lecture. Professors often know students by name and are very approachable, which creates a much more personal learning environment. What I found particularly inspiring was that many professors have had very successful careers before teaching. They often bring real-world experience into the classroom, which makes the material much more interesting and relevant. You can really feel that many of them teach because they enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with students. Overall, the academic environment felt very motivating and engaging, and it was definitely one of the most valuable parts of the exchange semester.

5. Every day life in the host country

Cost of Living I did not track all of my expenses very precisely during the semester, so I cannot give an exact breakdown of the total cost of living. To be honest, I also did not want to go back and calculate everything afterwards because I had already spent the money anyway, and knowing the exact total would probably not make me much happier. That being said, living in the U.S. can definitely be expensive compared to Austria, especially when it comes to housing, eating out, and entertainment. However, many costs depend heavily on personal lifestyle, so your experience may vary. ⸻ Everyday Life in the Host Country Overall, everyday life in College Station felt very safe. Personally, I never experienced or heard about any serious incidents during my time there. The campus environment is very student-focused, and most daily activities revolve around the university. One of the best things about Texas A&M is the sports infrastructure. The university has huge sports facilities that students can use. For a very small fee (around $20 for the semester), you get access to the gym, swimming pools, basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, and many other sports facilities. It felt like you could do almost any sport you can imagine, which was really great. One challenge at the beginning of the semester is the weather. In August and September it can be extremely hot in Texas. During the day, outdoor activities can sometimes feel almost impossible because of the heat. Many students therefore prefer doing sports in the evening or using indoor facilities with air conditioning. Another thing to keep in mind is that College Station is not really a city but more of a student town. Most things revolve around Texas A&M, and outside of campus life it can sometimes feel a bit quiet. Because of that, many exchange students plan trips during the semester. Cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas are relatively easy to visit and definitely worth seeing. A very convenient way to travel there is the app Hitch, which many students use for rides between cities. Another trip I can strongly recommend is New Orleans. Some students go by car, but flying is also an easy option. The city has a very unique culture and is definitely worth visiting. Public transportation in College Station mainly consists of buses. Compared to European cities the system is quite limited, but this is fairly typical for many places in the U.S. Fortunately, the university bus system works well for getting around campus and nearby areas. One absolute highlight of everyday life at Texas A&M is the football season. Kyle Field (name of football stadium) fits about 110 000 people and it is almost always sold out. I would strongly recommend getting a sports pass. It is definitely worth it because you can attend all the games, and if you cannot go to a specific game you can usually resell the ticket. The atmosphere in the stadium is incredible. There are many traditions such as the Aggie Yells and the Midnight Yell before big games, where thousands of students gather to practice the chants together. Tailgating before the games is also a huge part of the culture. It is basically a big pre-game party where students meet, and get completely drunk before heading into the stadium. It is always worth it going there even if you have to stand up at 7 in the morning on early game days! Besides football, there are also many other sports events on campus. For example, the volleyball games were also amazing to watch. During my semester the team even became national champions, which made the atmosphere even more exciting. Regarding nightlife, most of it takes place in the Northgate area close to campus. Compared to European cities the nightlife scene is quite different. There are mostly bars rather than clubs, so if you are used to European-style clubs you might find it a bit limited. One bar I really liked was Dudley’s Draw. It is one of the more traditional bars in Northgate and has good weekly deals such as “Beer of the Week” for around $3 and free pool tables. They also host trivia nights, which can be a fun activity during the week and 750 ml beers for about 4 or 5 dollars. Another popular spot is Chimy’s, especially on Mondays when they offer $3 margaritas. If you want more recommendations regarding nightlife you can text me on instagram: Luc.ebb One thing to keep in mind in Northgate is that the police strictly enforce alcohol laws, especially for people under 21. Public intoxication or drinking in public can lead to fines or even spending a night in jail. Several exchange students unfortunately experienced this. As long as you behave responsibly and are aware of the rules, it should not be a problem, but it is definitely something to keep in mind. Alcohol laws in Texas are generally stricter than in many European countries. Overall, everyday life at Texas A&M is strongly shaped by campus culture, sports events, and the student community. If you embrace that environment, it can be a really fun and unique experience.

6. Testimonial

If I had to summarize my exchange in a few sentences, the biggest highlight was definitely the football culture at Texas A&M. I was honestly quite skeptical about it before arriving, but the atmosphere in the stadium, the traditions, and the whole game-day culture were absolutely crazy in the best way. I was also lucky because the team had a really strong season while I was there, which made the experience even more exciting. Another thing that stood out was how friendly and welcoming people were. Many students and locals were incredibly kind and generous – for example, someone once found my wallet, put $100 inside before returning it to me, and invited me to his tailgates where everything was basically all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink. Even at one of the bars I frequented, Dudley’s Draw, they gave me a hoodie as a gift on my last day. Academically, the professors and lectures were also a highlight. Classes were often very engaging and taught by professors with impressive experience, although the workload can vary depending on the course and sometimes includes several exams throughout the semester. Finally, the opportunity to travel around the U.S. during the semester was amazing. The country is incredibly large and diverse, and exploring different cities and regions was an unforgettable part of the exchange experience. If you have any questions text me via instagram: Luc.ebb