Testimonials and experiences of exchange students

I live in an off-campus residence. But technically, I'm even closer on foot than some on-campus dormitories. I chose this residence for its value for money. For $560 a month, I have access to a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a rooftop, a coffee bar and my own room and bathroom. I know that accommodation on campus, equidistant from the university, costs around $800 a month for a shared room or at best a shared bathroom only. I found this accommodation thanks to the list of off-campus accommodation provided by SHSU. I compared prices, distance from the university and reviews on the internet. The Armory at Sam Houston seemed to be the best accommodation and I am happy with it today.

I spend about $870 a month on accommodation, the phone bill, shopping and electricity. I'm lucky enough to have 3 flatmates with cars who take me everywhere with them, so I don't have any transport costs, but there's a lack of public transport here. So you need to budget a little for taxis/ubers if no one can take you anywhere.

In my opinion, academic life is easier than in Switzerland, because we have short exams throughout the semester rather than long exams at the end of each semester. I didn't really have any complications when I arrived; we are well looked after by the staff at the OIP (Office of International Programs) and we can ask them for help at any time.

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

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, so it's really rich in discoveries. The range of activities can be anything from a drag queen show to a haunted house for Halloween, bingo nights or the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

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

Rent is around $900. Food prices are very similar to those in Switzerland. Fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables is even more expensive. So you're looking at around 400 dollars a month. Then there are the costs of school materials, which are substantial but have only been paid for at the start of the stay (each course requires the purchase of books, some of which can cost around 300 dollars). Then there's the opportunity to visit the region, so you need to add a variable amount for these outings. You also have to think about the telephone subscription, which is very expensive in the United States (80 dollars a month). So I think you're looking at an average budget of around 2,000 dollars a month (which works out at 2,000 francs).

The most complicated part of my stay was beforehand, i.e. obtaining a visa and finding accommodation. Once you're here, the university is very willing to help you and I didn't have any major problems.

I would recommend that they plan ahead when looking for accommodation and also anticipate the costs that such a stay can entail. It's extremely complicated to work there in terms of visas, so you need to save up beforehand. I would also advise them to look carefully at the academic calendars, which can be very different. For example, I started at the beginning of August but my semester finishes in mid-December.

The biggest difference for me is in the teaching. The teaching is extremely interactive, based on prior reading as well as strict attendance in class (the teacher marks every class that is attended and part of your final average is based on this attendance). There are also a lot of assignments to hand in during the semester. In terms of life and culture, it's 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! :)

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

I live very comfortably on about $1,000 a month (Chile is expensive for Latin America, but it's still cheaper than Switzerland...).

The administrative procedures (visa etc.) with the Chilean government are quite simply hell... Phenomenal bureaucracy and very inefficient.

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

The biggest difference I'd say is that order, punctuality and cleanliness are more relative notions here. In my opinion, any inconvenience caused by this is more than made up for by the simply exceptional human capital that reigns here.

I found my accommodation in Providencia on the internet at monappartementasantiago.com . It's a house surrounded by 3 other student houses with a central area 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.

In terms of costs, I save a lot on accommodation compared with Switzerland (around 300 francs or so per 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, not including travel.

As for my host university, I'm taking classes in 3 different faculties. The social sciences and geography faculties are old and not very comfortable (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.

I recommend staying in Providencia (with the exception of Bellavista, which is very noisy and unsafe) or Nuñoa, as these areas are close enough to the university but still quiet and safe. 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 districts further west and south of the city are not recommended.

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.

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 soon adapt. 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.

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.

Between 1250-1500CHF. Sao Paulo is more expensive than you might think, both in terms of accommodation and activities. I've 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).

A feeling of insecurity, because the people of Brussels who tried to warn us told us a lot of terrifying stories that didn't reassure us at all. In the end, we realised that it wasn't as bad as all that, even if we still had to remain vigilant.

Arrive a little before the start of the semester to acclimatise (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 straight away when you arrive, because time flies when you're there.

The sense that the city is very big can be stifling 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.

I live in a flat-share with 4 other people I'd never met before. We get on really well and it's very reassuring not to find myself alone in a city I 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's very practical is that there's no minimum contract period - very practical given that I'm staying for 5 months and most other accommodation requires a minimum of 6 months.

Approximately CHF 1300.

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

Go for it! It's an incredible experience that we won't necessarily have the opportunity to relive in our professional lives. It's full of unforgettable encounters and experiences, so you get out of your comfort zone and it's good for you! And if you take care of the administrative formalities, find great accommodation etc. well in advance, when you arrive you'll just have to enjoy yourself and not worry about this sometimes stressful aspect.

It's a more cosmopolitan city, with magnificent architecture. From Monday to Sunday, there's a lot of people in the streets, a lot of life, but it's still very cosy - hygge, as the Danes would say. It's a very 'fit' city, you can do everything by bike or on foot, and sporting 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 slopes of Lausanne (and the mountains too)!

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

Accommodation costs 300 euros (including water and heating) and I spend around 200-250 euros a month on food. I also spend a small amount on going out, activities and trips organised by erasmus family and ESN. I'd say that, in general, I never spend more than 1,000 euros a month. For a quiet life in Cordoba, I'd say a budget of 700-800 euros is more than enough (bearing in mind that accommodation can be much cheaper, around 150-200 euros).

Overall, the Spanish administration is very complicated... They took 1 month to register me at the university (which meant that for 1 month I didn't have access to courses or timetables etc). I had to manage on my own to provide them with all the documents they needed, but we didn't really know what to give them because it changed every time. In short, overall, university administration is complicated for Erasmus students in Cordoba. But then, as soon as you have access, etc., it's much simpler and everything goes through WhatsApp groups (the teachers pass on information to the delegates who pass it on to us via WhatsApp). Apart from the university, nothing has really been complicated. It's true that southern Spanish is difficult to understand and speak, but going on an Erasmus course 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.

It's hard to answer this question with anything other than : ENJOY. I'm currently having the best year of my life and there's plenty of time to do a lot of things on an erasmus (meet people, travel, study, learn a new language, etc.) and you have to give it your all. Go on an exchange without asking yourself any questions, register with the university and live the experience to the full. I don't think I'll ever have a similar experience again as a student, so I tell myself that I have to do the craziest things possible to have an incredible year and make incredible memories. I left with the aim of experiencing something totally different and at the moment I couldn't have asked for a better Erasmus experience.

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I had a really hard time finding accommodation, because I'm only staying for three months and most pensions are for the whole year. What's more, there were already no places left in the halls of residence at my university. I live in a student residence that I found on a website that offers short-term stays. I have my own bathroom, but the kitchen is shared. I don't like my accommodation at all, because it's in an area that's far from my uni and quite dodgy. My flatmates tend not to clean the kitchen and make noise at night (but I think that's common to all student residences).

The most complicated thing when I arrived was buying what I was missing (services, cleaning products, saucepans, etc.) because of the closure and because I didn't know where to buy what. I thought that the basic kitchen equipment was provided, but it wasn't at all. I arrived on 18 September, the day before the Queen's funeral. The shops were packed, as it was the day before a bank holiday. On the 19th, I couldn't go shopping as everything was closed and my colleague had to lend me her spoon! Otherwise, it wasn't easy to understand how tickets, season tickets and student discounts work on public transport.

My advice is as follows: plan your accommodation well in advance and, if possible, stay in the halls of residence provided by your university. At least they'll be well located and it's better for meeting people. Next, take some basic equipment with you (towels, scissors, kitchen utensils, Swiss Army knife, tissues, etc.). Finally, going through the administrative procedures for an exchange is long and tortuous, but well worth it. Studying abroad is an incredible experience.

The big difference between Lausanne and London is the poverty. There are so many people who are homeless and living on the streets, it's very unfortunate.

I was lucky enough to be accepted on campus. I'm in a student residence, I have my own room and it suits me perfectly. Unfortunately, a lot of the students I know who are doing an exchange at NUS haven't been so lucky and so the budget is bigger.

Accommodation + food (morning and evening) which is included when I pay for the 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 not expensive in Asia, CHF 200-300 is more than enough on top of what I pay for my accommodation.

Visas, COVID vaccination certificates, health tests - in short, there's a lot of paperwork to do before and after you arrive. Surprisingly, it's very easy to meet people and have lots of groups of friends, everyone is very sociable.

To go on an exchange, not to doubt or fear the unknown too much. A year or a semester is more than enough, you learn so many things, discover so much about other cultures and even about yourself. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I wouldn't recommend letting it slip away.

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

I live in the dormitories on campus. I was lucky to get a single room, without a flatmate. Here in Seoul, we're automatically assigned to dorms unless we ask not to be, so it was easy to find. It was also an excellent deal in terms of budget. I'll talk about it later.

As I said above, I was able to make huge savings on accommodation. In fact, living in the KAIST dormitories only cost me CHF 700 for the 4 months I spent in South Korea... That's fantastic. This allowed me to make the most of everything else. The budget will depend a lot on what the person does, but by eating out every day (it's not expensive compared with Switzerland, I get by at a maximum of CHF 25/day for all three meals), a bit of shopping, 3-4 big excursions a month and a few activities in Seoul, I end the month at CHF 1,500. I'm aware that this isn't low-cost either, but having dreamt of this exchange, I worked during my last few months in Switzerland so that I'd have enough savings and wouldn't have 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. 1 November, 1 CHF = 1430 Won).

The most complicated part is the language. I'd forgotten that people here are more likely to learn Chinese than English. So in the end, very few people speak English and you have to manage as best you can. The administrative procedures are quick and easy. Yes, the person in charge of exchanges at KAIST helped us enormously, but I was surprised by the speed of the process. The only surprise was the campus, I'd say. I was expecting a big campus ('American-style') like you 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's in Daejeon, a 2-hour drive away. In the end, I spend a lot of my time outside the campus, walking in the streets of Seoul or in the neighbourhood where it's located. Having a large university next door (Kyunghee University), the neighbourhood is really very lively and has everything a student could dream of. So size really isn't a problem.

To come! Seoul is an incredible city. Imagine New York (because it has approximately the same number of inhabitants, ~10 million) but with the safety and the very cheap side. The cliché that South Korea is a 'safe' country is no joke. I can leave my computer, phone and wallet on a table in a café in the middle of town and leave. When I come back, they'll still be there. The food is good and the people our age are really friendly (you'll often have to make the first move, but it's worth it). I strongly recommend learning some basic Korean before coming. Don't neglect it! I notice that I could have learned and discovered a lot more if I knew the language. A small regret for me.

The size of the city, of course, the language (especially the lack of English), the civic-mindedness (be warned, you'll be brought to order if you raise your voice too much on public transport) and the very good weather (well, maybe that's a bit biased this year, as it's sunny and warm everywhere).

I'm in a dorm where 90% of the people are Japanese. I found it thanks to the university.

Approximately CHF 1800.

Clearly bureaucracy.

Don't panic, take things one step at a time and you'll be fine. Oh and make a to-do list, otherwise you'll get overwhelmed.

People's approach to life is much less free and the diets here are much stricter.

I lived in a shared house with around twenty other students! This type of accommodation is luxurious (swimming pool, cleaning lady, etc.) and costs more than the campus accommodation offered by the university. I paid around CHF 600 a month.

I lived in a shared house with around twenty other students! This type of accommodation is luxurious (swimming pool, cleaning lady, etc.) and costs more than the campus accommodation offered by the university. I paid around CHF 600 a month.

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

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

Honestly, inequality. South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world. As a Swiss citizen, living in a country where so many people are in need has had an impact on me...

I live in a hall of 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.

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.

I didn't encounter any particular complications on my arrival. 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.

I would recommend future exchange students not to 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.

The biggest difference I've noticed is that at university there are no final exams (at least for me, who's in the humanities 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 facing the country. In addition, there are periods of loadshedding, i.e. power cuts during certain hours of the day.

I live in a student residence (a shared flat for 4 people) that I found online and booked before coming. With hindsight, I'm not sure that's the best solution. As I'd signed a contract, I have to stay here for the duration of my exchange, even if the communal areas don't meet my expectations and I don't get on with my flatmates. What I recommend (even if it sounds scary) is to book cheap accommodation for the first two weeks (like a youth hostel) and then look for somewhere to live. Either in a student residence (because even if you can't book online, you can always find local accommodation), 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's probably the best. You should also be aware that property prices are very high in Sydney and you can expect building and hygiene standards to be lower than in Switzerland.

Australia is not a cheap destination. You need to allow for CHF 2,500 per month (including CHF 800 for rent in a 4-person shared apartment), excluding any travel outside Sydney. You also need to add to this the cost of plane tickets (around CHF 3,500 return). The cost of living is similar to that in Switzerland.

My accommodation didn't suit me. I tried for 2 weeks to change flat, to no avail. The reception at my residence led me on a bit of a wild goose chase, and even the other flats I visited weren't up to my expectations. I also had to adapt quickly to the weather conditions as I was moving from summer to winter.

To socialise from the outset, because having a good network of friends/acquaintances will make their experience even better. And don't worry too much before you leave, because everything will fall into place naturally once you're there.

People are much more outgoing and less stressed. You can also feel the 'youth' of the country, which still has little history compared to the past that is so ingrained in our way of thinking in Europe.

I live in a private residence, in accommodation that's bigger and just as expensive 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 do need to speak a little German, as the people you deal with often speak little or no English, at least in the private sector.

My budget is the same as in Lausanne.

I would recommend future students to take advantage of the magnificent study environment offered at the University of St Gallen. It's a very competitive university and the lecturers often come from the world of business, which gives them real insights. Swiss mobility is an opportunity to add some great experience to your CV, change your everyday life for a semester or two, meet some great people and expand your address book. You won't be disappointed!

Even though I'm 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, which will undoubtedly serve me well in my future studies and professional career.