Thinking About Studying Abroad? Why Switzerland Is Worth Considering

Every year, many students choose to study abroad, but the destination is no longer limited to major study-abroad countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. More and more, smaller countries with strong value for money are also coming into view.

Today, let’s take a look at Switzerland and see what, besides being a tourist destination, attracts students from around the world to study there.

1. An excellent education system

Switzerland places great emphasis on education and has a well-developed education system. Among its public institutions, half rank among the world’s top 100, which shows the country’s strong educational strength. Swiss private institutions, meanwhile, focus more on comprehensive training in both professional knowledge and practical skills, allowing students to choose majors and specialties that match their interests.

2. A multilingual environment

Switzerland’s unique geography has made it a multilingual country. In addition to Swiss German, French and German are the most widely used foreign languages, and public schools in Switzerland mainly teach in German and French, with very little instruction in English. Although English is not the most commonly used language in Switzerland, it is still possible to choose relevant programs taught in English. In addition, this diverse language environment is a great advantage for students who want to learn a second or even third foreign language.

3. Recognized degrees

The diplomas from Switzerland’s 12 public universities and some universities of applied sciences are recognized by China’s Ministry of Education. However, apart from the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, most of Switzerland’s popular hospitality management programs are offered by private institutions, and hospitality programs at other schools have not yet been recognized. As a result, the diploma students receive after graduation is an industry diploma rather than a nationally recognized academic diploma. That said, this does not affect employment in China, because such diplomas have a strong reputation within the industry.

4. Strong employment prospects

After completing your studies, you can choose to return home for work or stay in Switzerland. As long as the school and major are not weak, you can still have very good prospects. Switzerland is home to the headquarters of nearly 200 international organizations, and these institutions offer students a large number of job openings and opportunities. Having internship experience at a major organization will be a strong advantage, whether you later stay there or move on to another institution.

In addition to these advantages, if you study in Switzerland and are admitted to a public university, you only need to pay a registration fee of 500 to 800 Swiss francs per semester, because public universities do not charge tuition. This can save a significant amount of money. In addition, Swiss visas are re-entry visas, so they are not subject to restrictions based on the student’s location or application timing. If a student meets the requirements and is admitted to the applied school and program, the visa will usually be approved smoothly, and refusals are rare.