Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I had an excellent experience traveling and exploring Switzerland. January 10, 2024

By (Finance, Financial Services, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/12/2024 with

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Banking, Finance, and Social Responsibility

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a myriad of professional and social connections, which made this entire experience worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, my experience with this program was incredibly enriching, with engaging and rigorous academics.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All professors and staff in the host country for this program were, kind, understanding, and excited to engage with students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family experience was stellar, and I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with individuals from the area.

* Food:

I thoroughly enjoyed Swiss food and culture and had the opportunity to explore a variety of different cuisines.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Although the program encouraged engagement in the local community, there was not a significant amount of time granted to engage or collaborate with individuals outside of our program and homestay.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

With the use of iSOS, health issues were easily dealt with, and taken care of.

* Safety:

Swiss safety, specifically in Nyon was wonderful. I felt very confident and never in peril during my time in the area.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would absolutely choose this experience again, as the topics discussed were useful and applicable to the world around us.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Switzerland is not an easy place to live on a budget. Fortunately, the SIT program provides meal stipends, which assist with any meals not covered by the host family. However, travel costs tend to be very high.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $0 - My host family was incredibly generous, and happily made 3 meals daily for me, and my host siblings.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Making the most of your Swiss Pass is an essential money-saving tool as a student in Switzerland. If you decide to travel outside of the country, you can often get discounted tickets, if you show your pass.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Both outside and inside the classroom, students were encouraged to engage with the French language. However, in general classes (other than French), only English was used.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Prior to this program I was fluent in Spanish, which did not help with my language skills in Switzerland. I began my program in beginner French (with no prior knowledge), and ended with an understanding of both French and Italian (from my homestay).
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speaking with your host family and telling them that you wish to use their language is the best way that I have found to enhance your French skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Travel
  • Language experience
  • Homestay connections
* What could be improved?
  • Depth of topics covered in courses
  • Connections with local community members
  • Connections with professors and understanding of the local communities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known prior that we would not be as immersed as originally discussed in the local community and with local students.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

SIT - Switzerland: Banking, Finance, and Social Responsibility
Course Department: Study Abroad
Instructor: SIT - Instructors
Instruction Language: English
Comments: All trips within this program were relevant and enhanced the academic curriculum. The assignments provided an opportunity to discuss and reflect on current and past events.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am currently in the process of transferring credit to my home institution, so I am currently not aware of whether this transition is seamless or not.