Hello everyone,
I am currently a second year undergrad enrolled in an American university. I am originally from Brazil but I also have European citizenship. I ended up staying in America with my parents and going to school here because they wanted me to wait until I became a US citizen before living abroad again.
Well, this year I finally become a citizen, and my thoughts on studying in a European university have not changed. I have been considering not finishing school here, but transferring to a uni abroad instead, no matter how many years I may have to make up. I did some research and I was strongly considering going to Switzerland. I speak fluent French and I am a EU citizen, but I don’t have family abroad.
Going off to college is hard in itself, but how doable is it when going to a completely different country? I really do not want to stay in the US, and I feel that there would be more opportunities for me in Europe, being a citizen there too. I have not yet introduced this idea to my parents, although I know they would support it since I’ll be a citizen soon. I’d just like to hear some of your opinions, so I can think about this a little more and consider my options.
BTW, I am a Political Science major, if that helps.
Why Switzerland? you have English, French and a passport- you could study in lots of places.
Of the top unis in Switzerland, ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich teach in German at the undergraduate level, and I don’t think that EPF Lausanne has a course similar to PoliSci, so Geneva is probably your best bet for a ranked program.
No matter where you choose, though, it is unlikely that you will be able to transfer: you would have to enroll as a new student, though in most unis polisci (or the equivalent) will be a three year course so it will just mean one additional year.
There are very important differences between uni in the US and in Europe. In general you study one subject, and the courses are much more prescriptive - you typically don’t have very many electives. Other differences are that European unis are much more hands off than US unis- you will have to sort out a lot of things that just happen in the US- and the relationship between professors and students is typically more formal than in the US. Also, most unis are not residential, though they often have some limited uni-provided housing, usually for international students / exchange students. For example, Geneva has 16,000 students, and accommodation for about 600.
You haven’t mentioned finances, but be aware that Geneva is a wickedly expensive city to live in and you probably won’t be eligible for EU tuition as it is usually based on residency not citizenship.
I know how you feel. You want to get out of your normal habitat and explore a whole new environment. However, as collegemom3717 said, you cannot transfer and you would have to enroll as a new student all together. Is it really worth it? If you really want to study abroad in Switzerland, then I suggest you go there for graduate school after you get your bachelors degree. Also, after you are done with school are you planning on living in Switzerland or do you intend on coming back to America?
@collegemom3717 is right on every point. I would recommend doing a year abroad then completing your degree in the US. You might do a grad degree later in Europe.
I had considered France as an option before, but Switzerland is more appealing, although I should take into account other important factors, such as finances, like soccermom mentioned. And I am aware of the differences between American and European unis, I was just wondering if given their differences, transferring would still be a doable/affordable choice to make.
Also, I read something about Switzerland having certain restrictions to other EU citizens that most European countries do not have. That might not make it seem so possible anymore to study there, and I guess I don’t want to anymore, now knowing that none of my credits would be transferrable.
I’ve considered doing study abroad for a year, but I’m afraid that might be a waste of money since I definitely want to study there later on anyway.
that is true- b/c, although Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Area, and has extremely close ties with the EU, Switzerland is not actually in the EU 
Your parents have given you the right to live and work on three continents and languages to do it with, so you have great opportunities ahead. Have fun!