Switzerland, die Schwiez, La Suisse or Svizzzera; however you call it, snow-covered Alpine peaks, geopolitical neutrality, high-tech watches, gourmet chocolate, yodeling mountaineers, and sophisticated banking are the Switzerland you know. However, Swiss institutions offer exciting academic and extracurricular opportunities to immerse yourself in the dynamic, youthful, and high-tech Switzerland that you have yet to discover.

When choosing a program, it's best to know what's out there (e.g. which programs offer courses in English, which programs take a hands-on approach to learning, etc.) Language, Academic Life, and Cultural Immersion are three areas with which any Swiss study abroad student should familiarize themselves.
1) Language: If asked what Switzerland's official language is, many would respond: French. However, they would only be partially correct. In fact, Sweden has four official languages: French, German, Italian, and Romansch. To accomodate such diversity, there are a variety of programs. Some focus strictly on intensive language study. Others offer general courses in one of the four official languages and in english; SIT's Global Health and Development program is one such program.
2) Academic Life: There are 12 recognized universities awarding doctorate degrees in Switzerland. Two of the 12 universities are Federal Institutes of Technology. About 100,000 students attend these academic institutions; 21% are international students (one of the highest percentages of foreign university students in the world for one country). Though a number of variations exist, most universities consist of the following faculties: theology, law and social sciences, arts, natural sciences, and medicine. In addition to the 12 universities mentioned above, there are also 9 universities of applied sciences, 14 universities of teacher education, and several university institutes receiving financial support from the Swiss Confederation.
3) Immersion and cultural activities: Although you might not live on campus, you will have opportunities to meet Swiss students as well as other international students. Almost all universities have sports grounds and sports associations. At each institution, you will find a number of different clubs and activity groups that provide a good opportunity for you to meet people and to do things that you enjoy. Even if you are not a "joiner" and clubs do not particularly appeal to you, you should nevertheless get involved in things that interest you. The Associations d'Etudiants, Federations des associations d'etudiants and Societes d'etudiants are organized according to the particular faculte under which you are studying.
ZURICH: German-speaking Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, sitting directly on Lake Zurich, and with large and efficient public transportation systems to get you wherever you need to go. Along with Bern, Zurich is a leading global city and among the world's largest financial centers, with a very high quality of life. Stroll down the famous Bahnhofstrasse, visit the Zurich Museum of Art, the Chinese Garden, or any number of Zurich's festivals and parades year-round. Picture yourself in Zurich!
BERN: Study economics, politics, and the humanities in the exciting Swiss capital of Bern, where many international businesses and companies have made their home! This fourth most populous city in Switzerland offers both modern advances and opportunities for growth, surrounded by the natural beauty that Switzerland is known for. In 1983 the historic old town in the center of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Bern is ranked among the world's top ten cities for the best quality of life. Come find out why!
FRIBOURG: Having official languages of both French and German, this central city is an exciting place to study pluralism and the effects of a bi-lingual society! Fribourg is nestled at the foot of the pre-Alps and like its sister city, Bern, Fribourg has preserved its medieval center. Students are invited to stroll the winding streets and visit any one of Fribourg's unique and diverse museums, theaters or its international film festival. Those interested in ice hockey or basketball will especially be attracted to the sports that the city has to offer!

Scholarships are great for overcoming the financial hurdle that sometimes accompanies study abroad adventures. Thankfully, there are government, independent program, and college scholarships from which to choose. Here are but a few of the options out there.
Alissa is currently Program Officer at the ISEP Network, administering student exchanges for students to and from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. She studied abroad for a year at the Karls-Eberhardt University in Tubingen, Germany and now helps other students live the dream! Find her on Facebook.
Do you think there is something missing in our guide to studying abroad in Switzerland? Contact us and let us know! We want to make sure our information is relevant and up to date.