Switzerland is famous for its picturesque and breathtaking beauty of nature but that’s not all. This beautiful country has one of the best education system in the world with the top most universities and institutions. If you’re planning for higher education in abroad but confused about choosing Switzerland then, here are some points for a brief comparison to guide you in decision making.
Benefits/ Advantages Of Studying In Switzerland
- High quality Education
Swiss institutions are recognised for great academic excellence and research opportunities. They generally combine theoretical and practical training experience like apprenticeships, research and projects which are most useful in the real world.
- Top ranked universities
Switzerland is home to numerous top class research institutes and innovation hubs where students get the best research opportunities. Universities like ETH Zurich and EPFL are famous for their international programs, such as IB diplomas and joint degrees.
- International recognition
Globally recognized academics of Swiss institutions offer worldwide career opportunities.
Multidisciplinary programs, different research opportunities and specific industry wise training by emphasis on apprenticeships and hands-on learning are key factors in student’s preparation for the workforce.
- Language and skills
Students who wish to improve their language and speaking skills have unique opportunities in Switzerland due to its Multilingual environment.
- Industry Network
Closed ties between Swiss education and industry provides students with all the networking opportunities. Getting a job after qualifying any degree in a suitable industry is easier due to the connections of industrial knowledge prior in academics.
- Cultural diversity
Switzerland provides an enriched experience to all the international students due to its diverse culture
- Beautiful location
This place is blessed with stunning scenery, beautiful mountains, lakes, vast valleys and forests which ultimately offers a stress-free and relaxing environment for studies. Less pollution and less traffic are some other perks to be considered.
- Safety and stability
High living standards and safe surroundings are the perks of living in Switzerland due to low crime rate, political stability.
- Strong economy
This country has strong international connections across the globe, with a stable and thriving economy which helps to provide students with access to internships and different career options.
- Science and Technology
With Strong academic programs and highly qualified faculty switzerland is renowned for its excellency in various fields like engineering, science,technology and mathematics(STEM)
Drawbacks/ Disadvantages Of Studying In Switzerland
- Cost of living
This is one of the most expensive country in the world and therefore
making it challenging for students to afford basic living expenses. High airfare, high tuition fees, expensive health insurance, costly apartment rents and finding appropriate part time jobs, these are some challenges for international students.
- Limited scholarship opportunities
Higher education system in Switzerland is regarded as extremely hard and severe. It is expected that you have high academic excellence in order to get the scholarship opportunities.
- Strict rules and regulations
It is very important for everyone residing here to follow the government’s rules and services strictly. It doesn’t matter how short your stay is in Switzerland, you need to abide by every law very seriously as breaking them will lead to some serious trouble. Many of the laws remain the same but few regions may have different set of rules so you must read and memorize them.
- Competitive admission
Getting selected in the top universities can be highly competitive due to the limited seat availability and getting qualified in the admission process is a very strict and compulsory requirement.
- Non-flexibility
Most universities may have rigid program structures and limited flexibility in course selection. challenges like potential limitations of early choices, high pressure to specialize and application hurdles present considerations for aspiring students.
- Bureaucracy
Switzerland has a complex and time-consuming process for international students because of its strict administrative efficiency. Housing permits, documents like visa applications etc required to be perfect with the german proficiency for administrative process.
- Challenging hiring
Non European students sometimes have to face few restrictions and difficulties in getting a job due to the appropriate visa requirements.
- Language barriers
While many people here speak English, proficiency in one of the official languages may be required for some programs or daily official work and traveling, as Switzerland has four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh)
Conclusion
As a student if you are dreaming of top quality education with a high living standard you must choose studying in Switzerland, though it may have some challenging factors like difficulty in managing expenses but You can always opt for scholarships as many of them include monthly stipend and health insurance even few government scholarships cover tuition fees with traveling allowance. On the bright side, the success rate of getting a swiss-visa is higher than most other countries. Most importantly remember willingness to learn and positive attitude can be helpful in overcoming every challenge.