Universität St. Gallen (UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN)

The fact that St. Gallen is the 5th or 6th largest city in Switzerland is somewhat misleading. 70,000 people doesn't constitute a large city. Nightclubs were expensive, played nothing progressive, and were filled mostly with high school students. Most college students seemed to go home for the weekends, which explains why the town was relatively empty for the weekends. Obviously the exchange students didn't have places to go, so the scene wasn't THAT bad. In fact, the apartment parties thrown by exchange students are pretty decent (I DO come from the #2 party school in the USA), and will more than likely serve your needs as long as you don't NEED to go clubbing. I'm used to frat parties and free alcohol, so maybe my view is somewhat skewed. The location was great, one hour east of Zurich, 1.5hrs from the Alps, with some smaller ski areas even closer. Swiss trains are very efficient (on time, whether that is in your favor or not is up to you). Best places: Brühlhof (cheap drinks, good atmosphere, cool owner), Alhambra (chill-out bar), Bierreria (Wednesdays all beers are CHF5.00), Limette (thursdays great happy hour -- CHF5.00 mixed drinks) Places to avoid: Elephant (overrated club, despite being the biggest in St. Gallen -- CHF12.00 entrance fee, no free drinks, nothing. Drinks are too expensive, small dance floor, filled with sketchy people. Sometimes you'll get a laugh out of what some pepole wear to clubs though...The mullet is making a comeback...in Europe. There truly IS a reason for the term 'eurotrash')

Local night events were mostly organised by CEMS buddies. Others by exchange students, up till now I do not have any special place I would really recommend. The degustation part at the OLMA fair was pretty good, but that is during the day.

Don't miss the first introductory week - the time and the place to get new contacts and friends. Pub crawl was perfect to find out more about the town and get acquainted with other people as well from the exchange, as from outside.

I recommend to invest the money in going to Zurich. St. Gallen has a few descent nightspots, but the locals keep to themselves. The University will arrange some descent parties each semester.

Can't remember the name, but there is an oriental cafe in town (I think the Marokkaner). It's like being in the Middle East.

Don't miss out on the badminton sessions. Furthermore the ski-weekends arranged by the Student Union is fantastic. If you like travelling buy the Gleis7-card, which allows you to travel for free after 19:00 whereever you want to in Switzerland.