Experience in Lausanne, Switzerland by Tania

What is it like to live in Lausanne? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Lausanne is not a huge city, but you'll find everything you need there, it's easy to use the public transport. It's a lovely city with old buildings and parks. There are a lot of young people, bars, clubs and nature (the university is near the lake, the Unithèque library has a lovely view out over it). There's quite a lot of free or cheap things to do with the University (sports with the University of Lausanne - UNIL).

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What is the student lifestyle in Lausanne?

The atmosphere is pleasant, and its variety of students and professors makes it a very culturally rich place.

How much does it cost to live in Lausanne?

Compared to the surrounding countries, the city is expensive. You'll pay 500-800 CHF for a room and around 1, 000 CHF for a flat with a room. As for the food, a menu at the university costs 7-10 CHF, for example.

A beer in a bar costs around 5 CHF.

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Was it difficult to find accommodation in Lausanne? Do you have any advice?

I'm from Lausanne, my parents live there. So I don't know if it's difficult or not to find accommodation. The advice I can give is to look on the University of Lausanne (UNIL) or the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) accommodation pages for future students in these faculties, there are quite a lot of rooms and flats available to rent. There are also rooms students can rent, the web pages are usually easy to find on the internet.

What is the food like there? What are some of your favourite dishes?

There's a lot of cheese!

Typical dishes you have to try:

1. Fondue au fromage
2. Raclette
3. Röstis

Where would you recommend to visit in Lausanne?

1. Ouchy, on the edge of the lake (the last stop on the M2 metro line)
2. Flon (nightlife area)
3. The cathedral, the old town (Quartier de la Cité)

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And to eat in Lausanne? What are some of your favourite places to go?

For those who like Asian food: Dynasty in St-François.

For delicious Italian food: Da Carlo, rue Caroline.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Lausanne?

No Name (a club with free entry in Chauderon)

Buzz (free entry, too)

There are a lot of clubs, but you have to pay to get into them, the MAD is the biggest one, but it costs 25-30 CHF to get in.

To go for a drink: Great Escape (above the Riponne), King Size, Bourg plage in the summer.

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Do you have any advice for students coming to Lausanne in the future?

Nothing in particular, just enjoy the city and the area the university is in.