Reviews of ETH Zürich (SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ZURICH) | Switzerland

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“Great Education”

Keegan J

Switzerland, Undergraduate
Engineering, Mechanical, 2020

Overall

ETH Zurich is a technical University in Switzerland.
It was the only university founded by the Swiss Federal Government, and until today it lies under its jurisdiction. As the only federal university in Switzerland it enjoys a great budget which allows students and researchers to use state of the art equipment. The infrastructure is therefore, one of the best to be found worldwide.
The students and researchers are committed to their studies and this is noticeable in the hours of work put in. Although of course there are some modules, where the professor should actually take a "how to teach" course, the education is extraordinarily good..

Pros

great infrastructure, cheap tuition, cheap food, great education, exceptional future prospects

Cons

High work load

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Michele B

Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Engineering, Electrical, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

exactly the work i've had to carry on at the university

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

1

Activities

4

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

Go only if you are an hard-worker

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

useful links: - www.eda.admin.ch - www.ethz.ch - www.woko.ch

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Lucas S

Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
Informatics, Graduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

I wish that I knew that ETH imposes extra courses and regulation to International students. International Students have to take more courses and exam than the local students. And that some of the compulsory course were in German.

In my opinion:

Stay home.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

2

Costs

4

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

ETH is struggling to become an international institution. Local students are considered better than international students. ETH has outrageous rules that only apply if your international student. So if you have not been accepted by other University ETH is good but if you have the choice, chose somewhere else. Maybe in 5 ou 10 years, the manage to become an International Institution

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

2

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

3

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Switzerland is not as expensive as it is perceived, Although, local students have priority over cheap accommmodation, one can find part-time jobs at ETH to cove hos expenses.

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“The ETH Zurich belongs to the best universities worldwide”

Cedric I

Switzerland, Graduate
Biotechnology, 2020

Overall

At ETH Zurich, students discover an ideal environment for independent thinking, researchers a climate which inspires top performance. Situated in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, ETH Zurich is pioneering effective solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow. ETH Zurich trains true experts and prepares its students to carry out their tasks as critical members of their communities, making an important contribution to the sustainable development of science, the economy and society.

Pros

Campus, infrastructure, lecturers, curriculum, research possibilities, environment

Cons

onerous mobility program

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Michele B

Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
Engineering, Electrical, Undergraduate, University Agreement

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: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

The problem in Zurich (and deutsch switzerland) is that people speak a special "german slang" called Swiss-German. It's difficult also for germans to understand it so this can be a problem for social life. Regarding work and instruction, Switzerland is a cosmopolite and well organized country,therefore english is well spoken at any level. It must be reminded that italian french and german are the nation languages.

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