Unforgettable Experience Amongst the Swiss Culture April 01, 2026
By Siya A (Biology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Washington) - abroad from 09/01/2025 to 12/14/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - Global Health and Development Policy
The Independent Study Project enabled us to network with experts in their respective fields. I learned a lot about the role of NGOs in creating change internationally, as well as smaller-scale change amongst local communities in Morocco.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics were well-rounded in providing us context on humanitarian and public health-centered topics while having briefings at the very same NGOs that deal with such topics. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Administration team was amazing. They were attentive and helped my peers and I through any conflict we came across during the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a roommate helped me with the transition to living in a new country and learning a new language. My host mother was very kind and fostered open communication. |
| * Food: |
There are limited food options within a reasonable price range, but grocery stores like Coop or Migros are more budget-friendly and often have ready-to-eat meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family outside the city helped me immerse myself in Switzerland's culture. Speaking with locals at places I would regularly go to made me feel connected as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
During my time abroad, I traveled to many other countries in Europe, and I would say I felt the safest in Switzerland. Of course, traveling with one other person, especially at night, provides an added sense of safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
From my fellow peers in my cohort to the administration team and my host family, I loved every second abroad. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 150 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Migros and Coop are your best friends. They have a lot of dietary options that support a student's college budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | almost no French, very minimal Duolingo |
| 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 as well as locals. At first, I felt like I was offending their language by speaking so poorly, but the locals appreciate your effort and can help you learn better. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would have loved to know more about the first week's schedule, since that was a little stressful. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
