Study In Switzerland! Experience Swissness…

Go beyond the après-ski chic and Heidi and discover a complex country nestled in Central Europe when you study in Switzerland! Unlike many other European countries, Switzerland is home to four languages (Swiss German, French, Italian and Romansh), three of which are most commonly spoken across Europe.

With 19 out of 26 cantons (states) speaking German, it is the most widely spoken language in the country. French is spoken in the western parts of the country, while Italian is spoken in only some parts in southern Switzerland. Rumansh is a language, which has no written text of its own, yet is spoken by 0.5% of the Swiss population. All WEP exchange students are placed in German-speaking Switzerland.

Magnificent architecture and relics of the past often stand in contrast to lush forests, many beautiful lakes and snow-covered mountaintops. The list of enchanting townships is endless and the historic charm of Swiss villages will stay with you long after you return from your exchange to Switzerland.

Switzerland also boasts famous athletes like tennis world champions Roger Federer and Martina Hingis as well as over 20 Nobel Prize winners! In 2014 Switzerland was named as the top country for chocolate consumption. Swiss chocolate is renowned as being some of the best in the world. With brands including Nestle and Lindt calling Switzerland their home, who could argue otherwise? The average person in Switzerland consumed just over 9 kg of chocolate in 2015 – each! That’s nearly the equivalent of 210 regular sized chocolate bars!

Experience Swissness or ‘unity without uniformity’, the Swiss’ desire to stay together as a country with distinct linguistic and cultural differences. Sound like something you are interested in experience on your WEP student exchange? If so, keep reading to find out more about your opportunities to study in Switzerland as an international exchange student!