Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

I didn't make as many phone calls as at home. I mainly used SMS and instant messaging due to the price levels. The food and the housing was more expensive than in Sweden. Since I wanted to see as much of the country as possible, I spent a lot of money on traveling.

Not really. Found out about most things upon arrival with the help from the university and other students.

A lot of student activities are organized, especially for exchange students. Attend as many of them as possible. This way you will learn how the university works, you will get to know other students and you will get many recommendations on what to do and see in school and in Switzerland.

There were many courses to choose from. Most were in French, but many Master courses were in English. I especially enjoyed the database courses and Multimedia Documents. The department for Management of Technology and Entrepreneurship had many interesting courses. I also atended two courses at HEC Lausanne, the city's business school. I strongly recommend doing that as their courses are interesting and you get to know students outside your own university.

There were too few laboratory sessions. Out of the 13 courses I took, only three had lab work. Many courses should have contained more exercise session.

I shared an apartment with two Swiss people, which was a great way to practice my French. However, I would like to get to know more students, especially ones from other schools and programs.