A Magical Swiss Adventure June 11, 2025
By A student (Political Science, Swarthmore College) - abroad from 01/27/2025 to 05/11/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy
I gained many insights into Swiss culture and developed long lasting relationships with friends and my host family. I improved my French through conversations with my host parents and now have a higher level of French fluency.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As far as a study abroad program goes, this is a more rigorous program. With that being said, in comparison to the rigor of courses at my university in the US it was much less demanding. It is a good balance for a study abroad program; you can learn inside the classroom, but you have time to learn and explore outside of class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The academic director and staff were great! Additionally, the resources provided to students were excellent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My experience with my homestay family was just lovely. Everyone gets their own room (this is not true of all study abroad programs). |
| * Food: |
Food is very dependent on your host parents. My host mother loved to cook so I was spoiled with amazing meals every night. I did know some students whose host parents were less keen on cooking and so they had a very different eating experience. Additionally, the program gives you a lunch stipend which is amazing because otherwise buying lunch would be very expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I integrated with my host family, but beyond that there were not really opportunities to integrate into the community. I do feel like I was able to integrate culturally and learn a lot of Swiss society via my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Geneva and Nyon (where you live) are exceptionally safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really loved my program! I had such a blast exploring Switzerland and living with my host family! While the classes were interesting, the things that really stick out in my mind are those that happened outside the classroom. Traveling around Switzerland (with the Swiss travel pass) was a dream. I am genuinely so grateful for this train pass because it made travel throughout Switzerland possible and affordable. |
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) |
2.5: Switzerland is expensive! However, if you are careful with your money, you will be fine! The program gives you a GA travel card which allows you to travel for free on all trains in Switzerland! This is genuinely so amazing because you can travel for free anywhere in the country and explore so much! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-200 francs—this super dependent on if I was traveling or not |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat cheap lunches! This way you can save the money from your stipend and use it to pay for your personal travel and other personal expenses. |
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 |
We had French class (so everyone of all levels learned some French). However, everyone treats French as the afterthought. I was really interested in improving my French so I spoke only in French with my host parents. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate French |
| 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? | Speak French at home with your homestay parents! I cannot stress how helpful this is for improving your fluency and comfort with the language! In your living situation request form you can request to be placed with a French speaking family. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | The only thing I can think of is how much fun it would be! I had the time of my life with this study abroad program. The program size is nice compared to other study abroad programs because it is not too big, which makes it easier to make friends. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
