Necessary steps and useful links for your stay in Switzerland
The check list Download ?Roadmap for your mobility studies? (PDF, 59 KB) lists the necessary steps you need to take before, during and after your stay. Details are explained below.
The Counselling & Coaching Centre of ETH Zurich offers various services concerning topics like stress and exam pressure, conflicts, studying with a disability and much more.
Studying abroad offers an exciting dive into the unfamiliar: New people, language, academic system, and cultural norms. While this enriches your experience, adapting to so much change can be challenging. The guide on culture shock shows how to deal with that.
You are by default a member of external page ASVZ so you can benefit from a varied range of over 120 sports and around 18.000 courses.
By students for students
You can benefit from a variety of initiatives by students for students and also get involved: book market, dancing, gaming, music, photography, sustainability, and much more.
Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
All mobility students can participate in the ESN – a network that organises cultural and social events, supports mobility students and offers other services such as the tandem language exchange or the buddy system in Zurich. Through the buddy system, you can get to know a contact person who will help you in word and deed and make your start easier.
Tip: Student Project House (SPH)
The Student Project House is an open platform for exchanging ideas between students of all disciplines. Here, students also receive support in implementing their ideas. You, too, can benefit from the Ideaspace and Makerspace at the SPH. Also, you can meet many talented and motivated students there. (Credit points cannot be earned at the SPH.)
At some point, opening a bank account in Switzerland might make sense.
Many Swiss banks offer free accounts with exclusive benefits for students under 30. To open an account, you will typically need to provide your passport, student card (ETH card / "legi"), and a residence permit. Some banks may accept a registration confirmation from the residents’ registration office instead of a residence permit.
Use the Internet to learn more about banks in Switzerland and compare offers.
- external page English Speaking Club of Zurich
- external page Zurich English-Speaking Theater
- external page Zurich International Women's Association
- external page Rotary Club of Zurich International
- external page American International Club of Zurich
- external page American Women’s Club of Zurich
- external page British Residents’ Association of Switzerland
- external page Indian Association of Greater Zurich
- external page Centrepoint Basel
- external page Rotary Club Basel
You can probably find more offers online – or ask your fellow students.
You can also join student associations.
- 皇冠体育,皇冠体育app dining and shops
- ETH App for daily menus
- external page Zurich: restaurants
- external page Zurich: nightlife
- external page Zurich: Local markets (off campus)
- external page Basel: restaurants & bars
- external page Basel: nightlife
- external page Basel: Local markets and other events (for students of the D-BSSE)
General
- external page SwitzerlandMobility recommendations
- external page Switzerland Tourism recommendations
- external page Winter sports
- external page Zoos & wildlife parks
- external page SBB offers (public transport company)
- external page Zurich: Recommendations
- external page Zurich: Boat trip on Lake Zurich
- external page Zurich: Tours through the city
- external page Zurich: Welcome event including a city walk for new residents
- external page Basel: Recommendations
By students for students
Check whether your current provider will charge you roaming fees. (Remember that Switzerland is not part of the EU).
It may be advisable to check monthly cancellable subscriptions in Switzerland: external page compare phone plans
Public transport
A Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ticket covers almost all public transport options. Tip: Benefit from discounts with the Half Fare Travelcard.
Shuttle bus
With the eLink shuttlebus, you can commute between the two campuses free of charge.
Cycling
This is a convenient and sustainable travel method in Switzerland.
Other means of transport
Change your correspondence address in myStudies
Deregister with the authorities. This should be done 30 days prior to your departure.
Deregistration confirmation: If you need a deregistration confirmation, e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, you can request one at the immigration office. Residents of the city of Zurich can external page order a deregistration confirmation online.
Verfallsanzeige: The immigration authorities usually send a letter with the so-called "Verfallsanzeige" (notice of expiry) about 30 days before your residence permit expires. If you receive this letter, you should react immediately; otherwise, the authorities may fine you. Normally you inform the authorities about your imminent departure. In rare cases and only if this has been agreed with the Student Exchange Office in advance, you will need the “Verfallsanzeige” to extend your residence permit, e.g. to finish a project.
The deregistration process is also found on the residence permit website.
Have any necessary documents signed before you leave Zurich. Check with your home university about forms or documents you need to submit to them which require a signature of ETH Zurich.
- SEMP learning agreements: They need to be signed by the departmental exchange coordinator first.
- Certificates of attendance: They are signed by the Student Exchange Office on-site only (see our office hours on our website).
They cannot be signed with a date set in the future and must be brought to our office for signature. Exceptions of up to one week will be made during our reduced summer opening hours in July and August.
If you have Swiss health insurance, remember to cancel the contract.
Request your transcript of records by contacting the Download Study Administration Office of your department. (PDF, 124 KB)