Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

For my exchange semester at Washington University in St. Louis, I would recommend starting the preparation early, especially regarding vaccinations, insurance, housing, and the general university requirements. The visa process itself worked quite smoothly for me, but only because I started early enough and kept track of all the required documents. Therefore, I would still recommend not leaving it until the last moment. For travelling to St. Louis, flying via Frankfurt is a very convenient option, because there is a direct flight from Frankfurt to St. Louis. This makes the arrival much easier, as St. Louis airport is not too big and the process after landing is quite straightforward. I personally found it very easy to arrive there and get settled compared to larger US airports. For course selection, I would recommend looking through the course offer carefully and not only choosing the first courses that seem available. There are many interesting courses at WashU, and as exchange students, many of them can be used for “Internationale Erfahrung” at WU. It is worth choosing courses that actually fit your interests and help you personally or professionally. Also, keep all course documents, syllabi, and confirmations organized from the beginning, because this makes the recognition process at WU much easier afterwards.

2. Accommodation

I stayed at Rosedale Court Apartments, which is part of WashU housing. The apartment itself was spacious and the location was convenient, especially because it was close to campus and made it easy to be part of university life. In general, I felt safe there and I personally did not have any negative experiences. However, St. Louis is still a city where you should be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. I would recommend not walking alone for long distances late at night and using Uber or other transport when needed. One important thing to know before arriving is that the apartment is not fully equipped like a hotel or serviced apartment. The basic furniture was there, but you still need to organize everyday essentials yourself. For example, I brought my own blanket and pillow from home, which was very helpful. If you do not bring them, you should plan to buy bedding, kitchen equipment, towels, and other basic household items after arrival. WashU housing is convenient and makes the start of the semester easier, but it is also quite expensive compared to some private options. I met other exchange students who found furnished apartments close to campus, which can be a good alternative if you organize it early enough. Still, living close to campus is a big advantage, because you are more connected to the student community and the overall university experience. Overall, my accommodation experience was good, but I would recommend future students to compare WashU housing with private furnished apartments, check carefully what is included, and plan enough time and budget for buying basic apartment essentials after arriving.

3. Academic life at host university

WashU offers excellent campus facilities and a very strong academic environment. The campus itself is beautiful, and although it is not overwhelmingly large, it feels very well equipped. There are many places to study, several libraries, modern classrooms, and a very good fitness center. Personally, I especially liked the business school facilities and the business library, which were great places to study and work on group projects. The academic culture at WashU is quite different from WU Vienna. Students are very engaged, and participation in class is highly valued. Especially in business courses, class participation often makes up a significant part of the final grade, so it is important to prepare, speak up, and actively contribute. The teaching style is much more interactive than at WU. There are many discussions, presentations, group projects, and practical assignments. In general, the courses feel less purely theory-based and more focused on applying concepts in real business situations. The professors were one of the highlights of my exchange semester. Many of them have strong practical experience and have worked with or built companies themselves. They are very approachable and helpful if you show genuine interest. My advice would be to talk to professors after class, ask questions, and use the opportunity to learn from their experience. In terms of course recommendations, I can highly recommend Professor Michael Wall, his marketing courses I took, especially Digital Marketing and Analytics. I also really enjoyed Creating and Launching Innovative New Products, because it gives a practical understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, and how new products are developed. Another course I would strongly recommend is Small Business Initiative. In this course, students work directly with a St. Louis-based small business on a real business challenge, which makes it very practical and gives you a better understanding of the local business environment. Overall, WashU’s teaching style is very interactive, effort-based, and practical, which I found extremely valuable.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in St. Louis was very enjoyable and offered many different activities. Public transport is not as developed as in Vienna, but the MetroLink is useful, especially because it connects the university area with places such as Clayton and Downtown St. Louis. I mainly used the MetroLink, which runs approximately every 20 minutes and was convenient for getting to and from campus. There are also buses, but I personally did not use them very often. Uber is also very easy to get and is probably the most convenient option at night or when going to places that are not close to a MetroLink station. WashU also offers shuttle services, which are very helpful for students. Depending on where you live, these shuttles can make everyday life much easier, especially for getting around campus or nearby areas. In general, I felt safe, but as in many US cities, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night. I would recommend using Uber, shuttles, or going in groups when coming home late. For sports and leisure activities, WashU offers many options. The university fitness center is included for students and is very well equipped. I used it a lot during the semester. There are also intramural sports, where students can join teams with friends or other students and play different sports during the semester. This is a great way to stay active and meet new people. St. Louis also has many interesting neighborhoods, restaurants, bars, and cultural activities. The Delmar Loop, close to WashU, offers restaurants, bars, grocery stores, concerts, and other entertainment options. The Hill is the Italian neighborhood and is great for food, while Clayton has a more business-like and slightly more upscale atmosphere. Downtown St. Louis is also worth visiting, especially the Gateway Arch. For sports fans, St. Louis is also a great city. You can watch professional baseball and ice hockey, including MLB and NHL games. There are also many opportunities to explore nature around the city, such as parks, forests, and areas outside St. Louis. Another highlight for me was the strong entrepreneurial environment at WashU. I participated in a startup competition, and the university offers many opportunities for students who are interested in entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurship center, additional workshops, and events with experienced businesspeople were very valuable. People were generally open, helpful, and willing to support students with their ideas and projects. Overall, everyday life in St. Louis was active, interesting, and more diverse than I expected.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at Washington University in St. Louis was one of the most valuable experiences I have had so far. Moving to the US, far away from home, showed me completely new sides of myself that I probably would not have discovered if I had stayed in Europe. I learned a lot about myself, about other people, and about how much you can grow when you step out of your normal environment. What made the exchange truly special were the people I met, many of whom became much more than just friends and made St. Louis feel like a second home.