Gustaf, Switzerland
Gustaf is studying in the final year of the master's programme in Systems, Control and Robotics at KTH. He spent one academic year as an exchange student at Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH) in Switzerland.
Why did you choose to go on exchange at ETH?
I wanted to go to Zurich and Switzerland, which seemed like an exciting and beautiful country. The proximity to the rest of Europe and the range of natural experiences and cultural life attracted me. Then, I also wanted to try a well-known technical university that was considered good in my field.
What was the most significant difference between the exchange studies and life at KTH?
Life was, of course, different when you were there as an exchange student, and I was also new to the city, the country and the language. The teaching structure was similar to that at KTH, except for a much higher pace of study and a different structure for reading periods and examinations.
What are the biggest lessons you take away from your exchange studies?
In addition to the education, I bring the experience of moving and settling in a new country, city and accommodation. You had to deal with some practical things, acquire routines and get used to communicating in another language. But at the same time, get to know new people, explore your new environment and take advantage of your time there.
Was there a lot of preparation before the exchange?
I experienced the school ETH and the city as very orderly but, at the same time, good at informing and communicating with. There is relatively little bureaucracy or administration for choosing courses, arranging residence permits and so on as a student from the EU. The housing situation in Zurich is challenging. It is both expensive and difficult to find reasonable accommodation. For me, the school could offer affordable accommodation where you lived with other exchange students, and there were scholarships to apply for that made it easier for one's expenses.
What advice would you give to students interested in exchange studies?
My tip is to check the courses you want to read in advance and ensure they are under your department at ETH. There are restrictions on how many credits you can study at other ministries. Choose courses based on how many university credits you want to study. Students at the school study only 20–25 higher education credits per semester and usually balance the course selection between technical and "easier" courses. Another tip is to get interrail cards for a more extended period in case you want to ride their famous train routes and easily visit Italy, Germany, France or Austria (for example, during their week off at Easter).