Details

• Canada
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

1. Chose but don't stress - Do not be focused to much on one specific university you want to go to, but rather chose some places. You will have a great time regardless on where you are headed. 2. Be yourself - The interview is more about who you are, rather than who you think they want to see 3. Be happy - Even if you don't get your first choice, WU has more then 7 superb universities for everyone 1. Prepare your documents early - Passport, ID-card, international drivers license, other cards (e.g. Hostel union or alpine club) 2. Digitalize ALL your documents - Many documents are enough when stored in a cloud and shown on your phone. Also helps if you lose them 3. Book a round-trip - Even if you don't know the exact date you want to return, book a round trip with the possibility of rebooking 4. Check visa requirements - If you want to stay and work after your semester, you need care for your visa at least 12 months in advance 5. Bring less - DO NOT bring more than one suitcase and don't stress the weight limit. You will buy a lot of stuff on location. Maybe bring a second backpack or similar and book two suitcases for the way back 6. Know your deadlines - Try to get everything sorted asap, especially housing and visa/eTA

2. Accommodation

UofA offers on-campus housing for everyone who applies before the deadline. There are many types of accomondation from single appartment possibilities to 6-person shared appartments. I'd suggest you go for Nipisiy House, as it is the most modern one with the best spaces to meet other people. All housing is in walking distance (<10 minutes) to the business building. There is also an UofA app, where often off-campus housing is shopped around which might be a bit cheaper, but I highly reccommend going for the provided option. The safety is absolutly perfect, as not only a high security personal presence is visible, but also a lot of safety mechnisms such as cameras and access cards are deployed.

3. Academic life at host university

First, courses seem a bit easier than at WU, but are by no means easy to pass. Second, most courses have a mid-term exam around October/November and a final in December. Third, the profs are on a first-name basis with you. Fourth, the teaching style is dependent on the prof, but mostly it is a bit more relaxed. Fifth, 300- and 400-level courses are much more fun than lower level courses. Sixth, your campus is your home. Everything is attached to the university - Clubs, sports, extracurricular activity.

5. Every day life in the host country

You get a mandatory U-Pass, which is a public transport ticket for the Edmonton metropolitan area for the whole semester. Try to buy your arc card right when you land at the airport and attach the pass asap. Safety wise Edmonton is like every big North American city. Not much to complain about, you will just encounter a lot of homlessness and drug addiction. For social activities everything evolves around the university. Try to join 1-3 clubs at the beginning of the semester (I reccommend the outdoors club, the ski club and the swim club). There will be A LOT of events where you can make friends, but also don't disregard your group mates and collegues in-class. Sportswise you can go to the whole university sports for free as student. I highly recommend going to some hockey, football, volleyball and basketball. The holy grail in Edmonton are the Oilers. The NHL franchise has student ticket prices every Tuesday if there is a home game (Molten Student Rush) and I cannot stress enough, that you need to attend AT LEAST two games in the time you are there. Edmonton practically evolves aroud the Oilers. If you want to exercise by yourself, UofA is a heaven. You may access pools, running tracks, gyms, courts and climbing walls for free. If you like doing any (niche) sport, there will be a place for you

6. Testimonial

This experience has shaped my view of the world significantly. Not only could I expand my academic horizon, but especially my social one. I was able to experience my favourite sports league and learn new things. I could form new friendships and learn from different realities. UofA made my stay extraordinary. Having so many possibilities to meet new people and facilitating exchange between everyone, made it easy to be welcomed in such a broad culture.