Reviews of Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | Switzerland

Useful | 1

Felix G

Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
Computer Science / IT, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:

I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits

Switzerland is a very expensive country. Food is more expensive. You usually buy a pre-paid phone card, which is also more expensive than a regular contract. Housing is more expensive, even student residences are very expensive compared to Germany. The entry to nighlife locations is very high and the drinks as well. If you have a car, there shouldn't be a big difference between Switzerland and Germany, but if you are using public transport it is more expensive.

Nightlife, Telephone, Overall, Travel, Housing, Food:

was more expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

To travel one should buy the so called demi-tarif including the voie 7, which lets you travel for free with trains after 7 pm.

Useful | 1

Gonzalo V

Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:

Family<br> Personal savings<br> A private grant

Work opportunities:

It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits

Because the level of life is much more higher than in my country (most of the prices are twice or three times higher). Besides, when you are in another place you spend quite a lot of money travelling and hanging around.

Nightlife, Food, Housing, Travel, Overall:

was more expensive than at home.

Telephone:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Second-hand bedding

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

The main problem is the health insurance. Health insurance is private and is mandatory to have one (which is pretty expensive). But if you are going to stay less than a year, you can maybe try to validate the insurance you have in your home country, saving more than 100 CHF per month. Also, if you are student and under 25, metro/bus monthly ticket is cheaper.

Useful | 2

josemorenorubio

Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Travel, Activities: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Laussane is a city with a lot of possibilites. Cafes as Bleu Lezard, Le Lapin Vert, pubs like Le Troisieme Siecle, Jagger's, Loft, Movida, discoteque like MAD, Amnesia, D! is an example but there is a lot of partys in the residences and organized by the university. The best of lausanne, the lake.

Useful | 1

Chris T

Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Physics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Student life dominates the city

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Lausanne is a city with lots of clubs and a great nightlife considering it's size. Good small clubs are Jagger's!(commercial rock/pop), Buzz(electro), and then the big ones like Cult, D!, MAD, then there are bars like Captain Cook's, Les Brasseurs, XIIème siècle, the list goes on!

Useful | 1

Gonzalo V

Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Erasmus

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

In Lausanne they speak French, but you have not too many problems speaking English in many situations. Anyhow, I recommend to everyone coming to do an effort and to learn French, it will make your life much more easier, and you can learn it for free at the university.

Useful | 0