Exchange Report

The application process was system was renewed and is consisting of a personal interview to examine your intercultural skills. Furthermore, your academic profile will be part of the application process at WU. My advice would be to start early to inform yourself about when, how and where you want to do an exchange program and then start preparing yourself to not get into a hurry. In general, I would prepare myself for a possible exchange via your colleagues, older students or the WU exchange experience reports to get some inside information to help deciding. Further information is always available on the universities homepage and sometimes one can also write an email to the International Office in Vienna or at the host university.

Accomodation can be difficult for short-term rent, but I would not say that it is impossible to find something suitable. Use the help provided by the University of Ljubljana (SEB), the ESN Erasmus Student Network or maybe their cooperation with the pre-paid search software "Housing Anywhere". Do no only rely on Facebook appartments, scam can be an issue, but with careful preparation this won't happen to you. You will find many possibilities from student dorms (provided by the University - very cheap but crowded and rare); private flats, whole appartments or just single- and shared rooms. If you want to apply for student dorm housing, be very quick, university will provide you information! Otherwise stay to offical and trusted homepages, the ESN Ljubljana or the SEB Buddy Network. The city of Ljubljana is very safe and well connected, but the main action is in Downtown - therefore I would advice you to live somewhere between the Faculty (SEB) and Downtown / Oldtown / City center. In my experience, it is very adviceable to book an appartment in the nearest possible area to University of Ljubljana - School of Business and Economics. Pay attention, that faculties are distributed over the whole city, therefore I would advice you to take an appartment near "Bezigrad" or generally said the Northern part of Ljubljana.

University in Ljubljana will provide a detailed course list previous to your studies, the International Office and Ms. Petra Burgar are very helpful to assist you in any situations, just reach out to them. The Campus is located in Bezigrad / North Ljubljana, the infrastracture is very suitable to student, it provides everything you will need during the days - especially the coffee shop and snack bars around the faculty are very nice for breaks. Library and study areas are also provided on campus, there will be no rush or overcrowding normally. Teaching and academics are probably very similar to Vienna, sometimes courses are very demanding, some are semi-demanding, it depends on the subject. SEB is using the same digital platforms as WU and also rely strongly on presence during class. Usually, courses will have a lecture + seminar section, so you will always experience a combination of anonymous lecture style and personal cooperation during seminar.

You can expect Ljubljana to be a very active and young city as many young Slovene tend to live, study or work arounf the capital. Ljubljana is generally, one of the most underrated cities in Europe. You will not miss something, from food, drinks, nature, city life, etc. everything will be provided. Slovenia cares much about their positive reputation and the well-being of their inhabitants. The oldtown is very alive, with many small or big shops from local specialities to mixed Alpe-adrian cuisine; especially the Christmas market is very popular in the region and absolutely adviceable; Ljubljana is a very safe and clean city, of course there are minor things in every town but I always felt welcome; public transport works and is reliable most of the time, but I would recommend you also to use the perfect public Bike infrastructure / rental system or going by foot if possible near center. When it comes to social activities you will have more enough to do, the Erasmus Network ESN is very active and will provide you with literally every activity you can imagine. (Local food tasting, Movie Nights, Uni Sports, Icehockey, Football, Trips to Venice, Triest, Bosnia, Serbia, Hungary, ...)

I would say, my experience was special for me because I have chosen a city with the perfect size and location. For me, it was a pleasure to get to know the capital of Slovenia in many facettes as it is possible, due to the size, one gets to know everything, as it is possible to stay in close contact, to do everyday duties often by foot or bike, it is about having this familiar combination. It's like living in a foreign country and still getting to know the people and traditions very quickly. Ljubljana doesn't have the disadvantages of a million-strong city, but offers all the advantages of internationality and hospitality – and outside the city, you can experience nature and the countryside from the Mediterranean coast to the mountains. Ljubljana is an ideal base, especially if you want to explore the Alps-Adriatic region, the Balkans, northern Italy or similar areas. Last point, I loved the so called "Boni system", where you can eat as a student in public restaurants for as little as 4-5 euros for meals that would normally cost 15 euros, the difference is paid by the state - so expect to be treated well in Slovenia ;)