Testimonials and experiences of exchange students

Unsplash © Donovan Reeves

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

I was amazed, the host university is really like the ones you see in (American) movies. Texas is a super friendly place. It was surprising at first, like a culture shock, because the students are very friendly. There is a student organisation here for international students and they organise a lot of activities to meet each other, it's really worth it.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in an off-campus residence. But technically, I'm even closer on foot than some on-campus dorms. I chose this residence for its quality/price ratio. Indeed, for $560 a month, I have access to a pool, a fitness center, a rooftop, a coffee bar and I have my own room and bathroom. I know that on-campus accommodation, equidistant from the university, is about $800 a month for a shared room or at best a shared bathroom only. I found this accommodation through the off-campus accommodation list provided by SHSU. I compared the prices, the distance from the university and the reviews on the internet. The Armory at Sam Houston seemed to be the best accommodation and I am happy with it today.

3. What is your monthly budget?

I spend about $870 a month on housing, phone bill, groceries and electricity. I'm lucky enough to have 3 roommates with cars that take me around so I don't have any transportation costs, but public transportation is lacking here. So you have to budget a little bit for taxis/ubers if no one can drive you somewhere.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Academic life is in my opinion easier than in Switzerland, because we have small exams throughout the semester rather than big ones at the end of each semester. I didn't really have any complications when I arrived, we are well looked after by the OIP (office of international programs) staff and we can ask them for help at any time.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

For future exchange students, I would recommend attending as many activities as possible organised by the university staff or student organisations! There is a lot to do, many opportunities to win t-shirts, free food, or raffles for bigger prizes. Follow the uni's Instagram accounts and you'll get all the information about upcoming events. Also, sign up for the international and graduate student orientations and the international dinner. These are events not to be missed, you meet a lot of people and you learn a lot!

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The biggest difference between Swiss and American campuses is the activities. Here, they always find a way to organise an activity every week. A lot of them are based on other cultures, it's really rich in discoveries. The spectrum of activities can range from a drag show to a haunted house for Halloween, bingo nights or the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

I had already had the chance to visit California before this trip, so the area was not unknown to me. However, I had never been to Davis. The first interaction I had with the University was a welcome meal. So my first impressions were very positive. I found the university very welcoming and concerned about international students. The people were/are generally very caring and friendly, whether it be staff, professors or other students. What was also extremely impressive was that in the US, the university campus is a real "city" within the city, as seen in the movies.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

The search for accommodation was very complicated, because here nothing is rented for less than a year. So, after a lot of searching I was lucky enough to come across a Facebook ad of a girl who was subletting her room because she was also leaving on exchange. So I am living in a flat share with four other American girls in a house just off campus.

3. What is your monthly budget?

The rent is about $900. For food, it is very similar to Switzerland in terms of price. Fresh food such as fruit and vegetables are even more expensive. So you have to count on about 400 dollars per month. Then there are the costs of school materials, which are substantial but which were only paid for at the beginning of the stay (each course requires the purchase of books, which can cost around 300 dollars for some). Then there is also the opportunity to visit the region and therefore a variable amount must be added for these outings. You also have to think about the telephone subscription which is very expensive in the United States (80 dollars per month). I think that you need to count about 2,000 dollars per month as an average budget (which comes to 2,000 francs).

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

What was most complicated was before your stay, i.e. the steps to obtain a visa and to find accommodation. On site, the university is extremely available to help you and I did not experience any major problems.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

I would recommend them to anticipate in the search for accommodation and also to anticipate the costs that such a stay can generate. Indeed, it is extremely complicated to work there in terms of visas, so it is necessary to save up beforehand. In addition, I would also advise them to carefully examine the academic calendars, which can be very different. For example, I started at the beginning of August but my semester ends in mid-December.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The biggest difference for me is the teaching. It is extremely interactive teaching, based on prior readings as well as strict class attendance (the professor marks every class that is present and part of your final average is based on this attendance). Also, there is a lot of work to be done during the semester.
As far as life or culture is concerned, it is relatively similar to Switzerland. A very nice anecdote here is that the cashiers always ask how you are and are always happy to chat with you! :)

Unsplash © Cristian Castillo

Universidad de Chile - Santiago de Chile

Romaine - 23 years old - Geosciences and Environment

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

The first impression I had when I arrived (end of July) was that it was cold (yes, the seasons are reversed)! It took me a little while to adapt. It was hard, this sudden change after such a nice summer in Switzerland. Otherwise, I immediately felt a lot of friendliness and generosity from the people, which helped me a lot to settle in. In general, the atmosphere here is much warmer than in Switzerland.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a house with 8 other people. Last semester, a student from the same course as me did her exchange here, she liberated her room and I took the opportunity to take it back from her.

3. What is your monthly budget?

I live very quietly with about 1'000 per month (Chile is expensive for Latin America, but compared to Switzerland it is still cheaper...)

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

The administrative procedures (visa etc.) with the Chilean government are just a living hell... A phenomenal and very inefficient bureaucracy.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

Don't be afraid to go through with your project, even if it's complicated, the experience is worth the effort! Once you're there, don't be afraid, talk to people, that's the only way to get help and get integrated.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The biggest difference I would say is that order, punctuality, cleanliness are more relative notions here. In my opinion, the inconveniences caused by this are largely compensated by the simply exceptional human capital that prevails here.

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

My first impression was really positive. I thought the neighbourhood was really pretty (Providencia is a rather wealthy and quiet area) and as I arrived in February it was warm and the palm trees gave a holiday feeling. I've also travelled to the south of the country where the scenery is magnificent.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I found my accommodation in Providencia on the internet on the website monappartementàsantiago.com. It's a house surrounded by 3 other student houses with a central space for the 25 students who live there. So I'm lucky enough to live in a very pleasant green space despite the size of the city. I live with 4 other people, 1 other Swiss, 2 French and one Venezuelan. The disadvantage is the lack of heating in winter (you have to buy a small external heater) and the managers who are sometimes very absent to do things and take a long time to make repairs, although I'm lucky compared to the other houses (sometimes no hot water, toilet and shower that don't work, etc.). You have to be more patient than in Switzerland when it comes to administration. Another disadvantage is that there are a lot of French speakers in these houses, so it's not easy to practise Spanish where I live.

3. What is your monthly budget?

In terms of costs, I save a lot on accommodation compared to Switzerland (about 300 francs a month for my accommodation) but food is quite expensive in supermarkets, almost Swiss prices. So I recommend going to the markets where the food is cheaper and the vegetables have more flavour. I think you need to budget around 600 francs a month for accommodation, without counting travel.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

As far as my host university is concerned, I have courses in 3 different faculties. The social sciences and geography faculties are old and not very comfortable (there's no heating either) but the courses are interesting and not too difficult. The economics faculty is modern and comfortable but the course I took (economic history) was very difficult due to the teacher who spoke very fast (like all Chileans but even faster) and the lack of knowledge in the field as well as the numerous texts to read with the precision required by the teacher in the answers. I wouldn't recommend taking courses at the FEN (facultad de economia y negocios) if it's possible to avoid them. It was also very difficult at first to get the courses I wanted because they limit the number of foreign students per class

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

I'd recommend staying in Providencia (apart from Bellavista, which is very noisy and unsafe) or Nuñoa because they're close enough to the university but still in quiet, safe areas. Las Condes and Vitacura are the richest neighbourhoods, also good options but a little further from the university. The city centre is not very safe at night and all the neighbourhoods to the west and south of the city are not recommended.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

One big difference with Switzerland is that you always have to be very careful about theft. My bag was stolen while I was eating in a shopping centre, even though it was right under my feet! So thieves are very clever. You should avoid taking your phone out in the street, especially in the city centre and poorer areas where snatch and grab is guaranteed.

Otherwise, Chileans are very kind and willing to help. What's complicated at first is understanding them, as they speak very quickly and use a lot of Chilean words that nobody outside the country understands, but they often adapt, as even other foreigners from Latin America don't always understand them.

Unsplash © Ramon Bucard

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

The first few days in Sao Paulo can be very intimidating and uncomfortable due to the size of the city and the feeling of insecurity, but you adapt quickly. The university is very modern and the students there come from very privileged backgrounds. However, they welcomed us with open arms and were available to help us and solve all our problems. The same goes for the Insper administration, who are always there to find a solution.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a co-living apartment with 4 Brazilians and a French girl near the university. I found it thanks to the Webquarto website.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Between 1250-1500CHF. Sao Paulo is more expensive than you might think, both in terms of accommodation and activities. I travelled a lot to discover the country, which increases the budget, bearing in mind that my rent is quite low for the area (340CHF/month).

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

The feeling of insecurity, because the Brazilians trying to warn us told us a lot of dreadful stories that didn't reassure us at all. In the end, we realised that it wasn't as bad as that, even if we still had to remain vigilant.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

To arrive a little before the start of the semester to get used to everything (which unfortunately I wasn't able to do). Look for a flat beforehand and, if possible, come and choose your accommodation directly in Sao Paulo, so plan several visits before arriving and then choose. Learn Portuguese in advance or take lessons directly when you arrive, because time flies when you're there.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The sense that the city is very big can be overwhelming at times and there is a feeling of living in a gilded cage. Brazilian people are the most open and warm-hearted people you'll ever meet, and you quickly feel included, as if you were part of the family.

Unsplash © Mark Konig

Copenhagen Business School - Denmark

Charlotte - 23 years old - Master in Management

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

Very friendly, easy to get around (everyone speaks English and is very helpful), human-sized city which makes it less intimidating and more cosy - can do everything by foot/ bike/ metro. The quality of life in Denmark is very similar to that in Switzerland. The Danes have a calmer and more well-focused mentality, less focused on intense performance at work etc... less competition too. The university is very big, beautiful buildings, everything is accessible by metro/walking/biking extremely easily, the mentality is very relaxed and super inclusive.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a shared flat with four other people I'd never met before. We get on really well and it was very reassuring not to be alone in a city we don't know yet. It's a co-living concept (LifeX - which I highly recommend) that I found on the internet - usually only reserved for 'young working professionals', but after an interview with them they agreed to give me a contract. What is very convenient is that there is no minimum contract period - very convenient as I am staying for 5 months and most other accommodation requires a minimum of 6 months.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Approximatively CHF 1300.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Everything was really simple and pleasant. The university guides us through every step of the administrative process - there are many 'guides' on their website to help us. On the other hand, you have to get used to the very high prices in Copenhagen (rent, restaurants, outings, shopping etc...), I was a bit surprised by this when I arrived - especially coming from Switzerland.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

Just go for it! It's an incredible experience that we won't necessarily have the opportunity to experience again in our professional lives. Full of unforgettable encounters and experiences, you get out of your comfort zone and it feels good! And if you deal with the administrative procedures, find a great place to stay etc. well in advance, when you arrive you just have to enjoy yourself and not worry about this sometimes stressful aspect.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

It's a more cosmopolitan city, beautiful architecture. From Monday to Sunday there are people in the streets, a lot of life but it remains very cosy - hygge, as the Danes would say. It's a very 'fit' city, you can do everything by bike or on foot and sports activities are very accessible - on the other hand there are far fewer green spaces than in Lausanne. Copenhagen is an extremely flat and windy city - I almost miss the gradients of Lausanne (and the mountains too)!

Unsplash © Max Harlynking

Universidad de Cordoba - Spain

Amel - 23 years old - Master in Medicine

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

Concerning the country and more specifically the city of Cordoba, I did not expect to discover such a beautiful city. When I left home in Switzerland, I was a bit apprehensive (will everything go well, how will the courses go, will my Spanish be good enough, ...). But in the end I met my flatmates and I quickly "got into the swing of things", i.e. I forgot all the questions I had in my head to leave room for the discovery of the city and the Spanish way of life. After 2 months I feel at home and it is a city that I recommend for any student who wants to go on an exchange. Concerning the university, I was a bit disappointed by the Spanish administrative services... (they take a lot of time to process important requests for the students). That's why at the beginning the impression was not good (I had to manage by myself, in a new language, to register with the university and to be able to follow the courses correctly). Otherwise, everything else was quite positive; the Spanish system is quite different from the Lausanne system, but you get used to it quickly and you meet a lot of people who explain how it works etc. So at the beginning it wasn't so bad, and you can't get used to it. So at the beginning it wasn't so good, but now it's OK because I've got used to it and got used to it.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a shared flat in a very big house in the city centre. There are 7 of us in a 2-storey house with a rooftop where we share a lot of time together. I found the accommodation through an organisation that deals with Erasmus students (erasmusfamily); they had posted an advert on a WhatsApp group, I replied and they put me in touch with the owner. There are also several real estate websites that make it quite easy to find student rooms.

3. What is your monthly budget?

The accommodation costs 300 euros (including water and heating) and I spend about 200-250 euros a month on food. In addition, I spend a small budget for my outings, activities and also trips organised by erasmus family and ESN. I would say that in general I never exceed 1000 euros per month. For a quiet life in Cordoba, I would say that a budget of 700-800 euros is more than enough (knowing that accommodation can be much cheaper, around 150-200 euros).

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Overall the Spanish administration is very complicated... They took 1 month to register me in the university (which means that for 1 month I didn't have access to the courses nor to the timetables etc). I had to manage on my own to provide them with all the necessary documents but we didn't really know what to give because it changed every time. In short, overall the university administration is complicated for Erasmus students in Cordoba. But afterwards, as soon as we have access etc, it's much easier and everything is done through WhatsApp groups (the teachers pass on information to the delegates who pass it on to us via WhatsApp). Apart from the university, nothing was really complicated. It's true that southern Spanish is difficult to understand and speak, but going on an erasmus in a foreign destination is also about learning a new language so you adapt. But otherwise everything goes by itself and you get used to it very quickly.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

It's hard to answer this question with anything other than : ENJOY. I am currently living the best year of my life and you have time to do a lot of things in erasmus (meet people, travel, study, learn a new language, ...) and you have to go all out. Go on an exchange without question, register with the university and live the experience to the full. For me, I won't have such an experience again in the rest of my studies, so I tell myself that I have to do the craziest things possible in order to have an incredible year and to keep incredible memories. I went there with the aim of experiencing something totally different and at the moment I couldn't have asked for a better Erasmus experience.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

There are no mountains or lakes and the cheese is not very good. No, seriously, I would say that the university system is very different (it's still very academic here and there are few medical practices unfortunately). But the quality of the courses is good and you learn a lot.

Unsplash © Elina Emurlaeva

King's College London - United Kingdom

Charlotte - 23 years old - Master in Management

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

Very friendly, easy to get around (everyone speaks English and is very helpful), human-sized city which makes it less intimidating and more cosy - can do everything by foot/ bike/ metro. The quality of life in Denmark is very similar to that in Switzerland. The Danes have a calmer and more well-focused mentality, less focused on intense performance at work etc... less competition too. The university is very big, beautiful buildings, everything is accessible by metro/walking/biking extremely easily, the mentality is very relaxed and super inclusive.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a shared flat with four other people I'd never met before. We get on really well and it was very reassuring not to be alone in a city we don't know yet. It's a co-living concept (LifeX - which I highly recommend) that I found on the internet - usually only reserved for 'young working professionals', but after an interview with them they agreed to give me a contract. What is very convenient is that there is no minimum contract period - very convenient as I am staying for 5 months and most other accommodation requires a minimum of 6 months.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Approximatively CHF 1300.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Everything was really simple and pleasant. The university guides us through every step of the administrative process - there are many 'guides' on their website to help us. On the other hand, you have to get used to the very high prices in Copenhagen (rent, restaurants, outings, shopping etc...), I was a bit surprised by this when I arrived - especially coming from Switzerland.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

Just go for it! It's an incredible experience that we won't necessarily have the opportunity to experience again in our professional lives. Full of unforgettable encounters and experiences, you get out of your comfort zone and it feels good! And if you deal with the administrative procedures, find a great place to stay etc. well in advance, when you arrive you just have to enjoy yourself and not worry about this sometimes stressful aspect.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

It's a more cosmopolitan city, beautiful architecture. From Monday to Sunday there are people in the streets, a lot of life but it remains very cosy - hygge, as the Danes would say. It's a very 'fit' city, you can do everything by bike or on foot and sports activities are very accessible - on the other hand there are far fewer green spaces than in Lausanne. Copenhagen is an extremely flat and windy city - I almost miss the gradients of Lausanne (and the mountains too)!

Unsplash © Justin Lim

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Singapore

Anthony - 22 years old - Bachelor in Biologie

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

Singapore is a country I had been to before, so I knew more or less what to expect. It's one of the most developed countries in Asia so it's very interesting to live here and to be able to compare the economy, the laws, the society with all the other Asian countries around. Safety and cleanliness is one of the first things you notice when you arrive. It is very pleasant to live in such a clean city. On the other hand, the many rules and rumours about the punishments that have been inflicted on certain people can sometimes be frightening. Something that is extremely nice in Asia is that all the people are really friendly and always there to help you (which is different from Europe). Regarding the university, it is a very nice university and most things are well organised for the students. The way of teaching is very different from the education system in Switzerland. I think it is an experience to live. The classes are much smaller, you have more contact with the teachers. In a course there is more student participation and group work. You also feel that NUS students are much more competitive and stressed than exchange students. Most of my friends are exchange students from all over the world. The conversations are very interesting knowing that everyone has a different culture, habits and customs.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I was lucky enough to get a place on campus. I am in a student residence, I have my own room and it suits me perfectly. Unfortunately, a lot of the students I know who are on exchange at NUS are not so lucky and so the budget is more substantial.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Accommodation + food (morning and evening) which is included when I pay for accommodation = CHF 1900 per semester = about 475-500 per month. Those who are not on campus pay around CHF 1000 per month just for accommodation. Knowing that food and transport are cheap in Asia, CHF 200-300 is more than enough on top of what I pay for my accommodation.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Visas, COVID vaccination certificates, health tests, in short a lot of paperwork before and after arriving. Surprisingly it is very easy to meet people and have many groups of friends, everyone is very sociable.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

To go on an exchange, not to doubt or fear the unknown too much. One year or one semester is more than enough, you learn so much, discover a lot about other cultures and even about yourself. It is an experience to be lived one time in one's life, I would recommend not letting it slip away.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The culture, the people (in Asia people are nicer, more welcoming, less judgmental), the food, the education, the competition in individuals...

Unsplash © Aboodi Vesakaran

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

My first impression was simply joy and happiness when I arrived in Seoul. Indeed, since I started university, it has always been a goal, I could even say a dream, to be able to go on exchange. I thought I had done the hardest to go on an exchange during my third bachelor's degree, but my exchange to Canada was cancelled a month before because of the Covid. So yes, my first impression was really just joy, the joy of having been able to reach my goal.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in the dormitories provided on campus. I was lucky to get a single room, with no roommates. Here in Seoul, we are automatically assigned to dorms unless we ask not to be, so it was easy to find. Also, it was a great deal in terms of budget. I'll talk about it later.

3. What is your monthly budget?

As mentioned before, I was able to save a lot on accommodation. Indeed, living in the KAIST dormitories, it only cost me 700 CHF for the 4 months I spent in South Korea... That's great. So, it allowed me to enjoy everything else to the fullest. The budget will depend a lot on what the person does but by eating out every day (it's not expensive compared to Switzerland, I get by at maximum 25 CHF/day for all my three meals), some shopping, 3-4 big excursions per month and some activities in Seoul, I end the month at 1500 CHF. I am aware that this is not low-cost either, but having dreamed of this exchange, I worked during my last months in Switzerland to have enough savings and not to restrict myself here. In the end, the exchange rate only depreciated during my stay so my purchasing power only increased (In August 2022, 1 CHF = 1290 Won. 1st November, 1 CHF = 1430 Won).

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

The most complicated part is the language. I had forgotten that here, people are more likely to learn Chinese than English. So in the end, very few people speak English and you have to manage to get by as best you can. The administrative procedures are very easy and quick. So yes, the person in charge of the exchanges at KAIST helped us a lot but I was surprised by the speed of the process.

The only surprise was the campus I would say, I was expecting a big campus ("American style") like you can see everywhere else in the city but in fact KAIST College of Business is a graduate school and therefore very small. The main campus however is huge but it is in Daejeon, 2 hours away. In the end, I spend a lot of my time off campus, walking around the streets of Seoul or in the area where it is located. Having a big university next door (Kyunghee University), the area is really lively and with everything a student could dream of. So the size is really not a problem.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

To come! Seoul is an incredible city. Imagine New York (as it has approximately the same number of inhabitants, ~10 million) but with the safety and the cheapness. The cliché that South Korea is a "safe" country is not a joke. I can leave my computer, phone and wallet on a table in a cafe in the middle of the city and leave. When I come back, they will still be there. The food is good and the people our age are really nice (you'll often have to make the first move but it's worth it). I highly recommend learning some basic Korean before coming. Not to be overlooked!!! I notice that I could have learned and discovered a lot more if I knew the language. A small regret for me.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The size of the city of course, the language and especially the lack of English, the civic-mindedness (beware, you will be called to order if you raise your voice too much in public transport) and the very good weather (well, maybe it's a bit biased this year as it's nice and warm everywhere)

Unsplash © Steven Diaz

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

The cultural shock of coming to Japan is really impressive, but I feel like everyone here is nice and ready to help.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I am in a dormitory where 90% of the people are Japanese. I found it through the university.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Around CHF 1800.-

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

Bureaucracy.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

Don’t panic, take things one by one and everything will be fine. Oh and make a to-do list, otherwise, you will be overwhelmed.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The approach people have to live, it’s way less free and the schemes here are way more strict.

Unsplash © Den Harrson

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

I felt very welcomed. The integration week was great and I was surprised to see how much they were celebrating. Obviously, people are warmer than in Switzerland.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I lived in a house with about 20 other students! This kind of accommodation is luxurious (swimming pool, cleaning lady...) and costs more than the campus offered by the university. I paid about CHF 600 per month

3. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

An exchange involves a heavy administrative burden. You also have to realise that homesickness and missing your loved ones is not always easy to handle.

4. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

To embark on this crazy adventure! The experience you gain from such a trip is valuable, both professionally and personally. And I think South Africa is ideal for an exchange. This country is very rich on all levels (culture, tourism, history, biodiversity...).

5. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

Honestly, the inequalities. South Africa is one of the most inegalitarian countries in the world. As a Swiss citizen, it has inevitably marked me to live in a country with so many people in need..

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

My first impression was very positive. Everyone was very open and welcoming, which made me feel at ease straight away. I rapidly made lots of friends from the very first days. The university also organises an orientation week, which is very useful for meeting other international students, and there are many of them.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a residence at the University of Cape Town. I found this accommodation through the university, but honestly, even though it's cheap, it's not the best option. It's close to the university, but far from the city centre and the beaches. I would recommend taking a flat in Gardens, which is in the city centre, 15 minutes from the university by Uber or using the university shuttle buses. There are better residences than the one I'm in now.

3. What is your monthly budget?

South Africa is not expensive at all. My parents gave me the same budget as in Switzerland, and I was able to live a good life without depriving myself of anything. I could do whatever I wanted without worrying about money.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

I didn't experience any particular complications when I arrived. Everything went very smoothly. One of my recommendations would be not to listen too much to prejudices about South Africa. Before I left, people were warning me that it was dangerous, but nobody had told me that I was about to leave for one of the most magnificent destinations in the world.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

I would recommend that future exchange students don't hesitate to embark on this experience in South Africa. It's an incredibly beautiful country, and the months I spent here were the best of my life. I would advise them to make the most of every moment, not to be afraid of prejudice, and to immerse themselves fully in South African student life and culture.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

The biggest difference I've noticed is that there are no final exams at university (at least not for me, I'm in the human sciences faculty), but rather lots of essays, quizzes and presentations throughout the semester. The second difference is the lifestyle. You feel like you're on holiday almost all the time, with lots of restaurants, parties and activities. Another major difference is the huge disparity between rich and poor, as well as the many social and political problems that the country faces. In addition, there are periods of loadshedding, i.e. power cuts during certain hours of the day.

Unsplash © Matthew Alexander

1. What was your first impression of your host country and university?

A very friendly country where people help each other. The university is much bigger than UNIL, located in the centre of the city, and focused on new technologies. A lot of changes, in a positive sense. We were also able to take advantage of a whole week of integration with activities every day to get to know the city and the university better and, above all, to meet people.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a student residence (a shared flat for 4 people) which I found online and booked before coming. With hindsight I'm not sure if this is the best solution. As I had signed a contract, I have to stay here for the whole duration of my exchange, even if the common areas don't correspond to my expectations, and I don't get along with my flatmates. What I recommend (even if it might sound scary) is to book cheap accommodation for the first two weeks (like a youth hostel) and to look for accommodation on the spot. Either in a student residence (because even if you can't book online, you can always find one on the spot), or in a shared flat via contact websites. This way you can be sure that the place is what you want. Many of my friends have used this technique and it is probably the best. You should also be aware that the price of real estate is very high in Sydney and you should expect that the building and hygiene standards are lower than in Switzerland.

3. What is your monthly budget?

Australia is not a cheap destination. It costs CHF 2500 per month (including CHF 800 for rent in a 4-person flat), excluding any travel outside Sydney. You also have to add to this the cost of airfare (about CHF 3500 round trip). The cost of living is similar to that in Switzerland.

4. What was the most challenging part of your arrival? Practical life (administrative procedures), academic life...

My accommodation that did not suit me. I tried for 2 weeks to change my flat in vain. The reception of my residence led me astray, and even the other flats I visited were not up to my expectations. I also had to adapt quickly to the weather conditions as I was going from summer to winter.

5. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

To socialise from the very beginning because having a good network of friends/acquaintances will make their experience even better. And not to worry too much before departure, because everything will fall into place naturally once you are there.

6. What's the biggest difference between Lausanne and your host country?

People are much more outgoing and less stressed. You can also feel the "youth" of the country, which still has little history compared to all the history embedded in our European way of thinking.

Unsplash © Seb Mooze

Université of St.Gallen

Lucie - 25 years old - Bachelor in Political Sciences

1. What was your first impression of your host university?

The University of St Gallen is a totally different university from Lausanne. It is a real anthill where everyone meets and studies together on a much smaller campus than that of the UNIL. There is no distinction between faculties, as everyone shares a course together at one time or another.

2. What kind of accomodation do you live in and how did you find it?

I live in a private residence, in a bigger and as expensive accommodation as my accommodation in Lausanne. I looked for accommodation long before I had confirmation that my Swiss mobility was validated and it seemed easier to find accommodation in St Gallen than in Lausanne. On the other hand, you need to speak a little German, because the procedures are often carried out with people who speak little or no English, at least in the private sector.

3. What is your monthly budget?

My budget is the same as that in Lausanne.

4. What would you recommend to future exchange students?

I would recommend future students to take advantage of the wonderful study environment that is offered at the University of St. Gallen. It is a very competitive university and the professors are often from the business world, which gives them concrete insights. Swiss mobility is a chance to enhance your CV with a great experience, change your daily life for a semester or two, meet great people and expand your address book. Go for it, you won't be disappointed!

5. Any final word?

Even though I am studying political science and the University of St Gallen is more HEC oriented, I was able to find my place by meeting people who were able to support me and help me progress. The courses were challenging, but I was able to diversify my areas of knowledge by adding more business and entrepreneurial components that will certainly help me in my future studies and professional career.