Exchange Report

The application process at WU is very straightforward and well-structured. The instructions are clear and detailed, and all required steps are explained transparently. As long as you follow the guidelines carefully and respect the deadlines, the process is smooth and manageable. There is sufficient information provided on the website, and the International Office is helpful in case of questions. I personally traveled both by train and by plane, and in both cases the journey was relatively short and well-organized. Given the short distance, it is even possible to consider traveling by long-distance bus (e.g. FlixBus).

During the application process at Goethe University, students can indicate whether they would like to stay in one of the university’s student residences, which makes the accommodation search much easier. I chose to live in a student residence, and it was a great experience, especially because it was full of students and other Erasmus participants, making it very easy to socialize. The residences are generally well connected to the university and located in safe areas. They are also very affordable compared to private housing in Frankfurt, which makes them an excellent option. I would have liked to know beforehand that in my residence the kitchen was shared with around 30 people and the bathroom with about 10, which affected comfort and cleanliness. However, considering the very low rent, it was definitely worth it.

The Westend campus, where the Faculty of Economics and Business is located, is very large and well equipped. It hosts several departments, multiple libraries and study spaces, as well as three mensa, which makes daily campus life very convenient. The overall academic environment is well organized and professional. The teaching style is similar to WU Vienna in terms of lecture structure and expectations. A major difference, however, is the assessment system: in most courses, the written exam consists of one final exam that counts for 100% of the grade. I would especially recommend taking seminars, as they are very engaging and allow for deeper discussion. Goethe University has excellent professors, and the academic quality is very high.

Frankfurt offers several public transport options, including U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams. The city is generally well connected, but delays are quite common, and there are often construction works that lead to route changes or poorly signposted stops. Overall, it is manageable, but less efficient than Vienna. The city is overall relatively safe, although in my experience slightly less so than Vienna. There are certain areas, especially around some metro stations, Hauptwache, and the Hauptbahnhof, where it is better to be cautious at night or to move in groups. On the positive side, the university offers a wide range of very affordable sports courses (for example, I took a Zumba class and paid only 16 euros for the entire semester). ESN, the buddy program, and the university itself organize many events, so both university life and social life are very active.

My exchange semester in Frankfurt was a truly enriching and memorable experience. I met many people from all over the world, and these international friendships made the semester especially meaningful. Academically, I had the opportunity to take challenging courses that deepened my knowledge, particularly in finance, and broadened my perspective. I also really enjoyed living in Frankfurt: the combination of university life, new experiences, and personal growth made this exchange very special for me.