Tips, Information & Suggestions for Students Studying in Lausanne, Switzerland Summer 2011
Professor Joseph Morrissey Stetson University College of Law Resident Director, Switzerland 2011
The information is provided to assist students in making their plans for attending and participating in the study abroad program in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2011. Stetson University College of Law is not responsible for changes in rates, schedules, dates or other facts contained herein or on the websites listed.
OVERVIEW
Lausanne is the capital of Vaud, one of the 26 cantons in Switzerland. It is located in the western corner of Switzerland, in the French speaking area. Lausanne is about 30 minutes northeast of Geneva. Lausanne is located between Lake Geneva and the French Alpine Mountains and is part of the wine country of that French-Swiss area.
Before You Leave Register your trip The US State Department likes U.S. citizens to register their trip online at http://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui. To register you will need to know your passport number, the country(ies) you are travelling, and the dates that you will be travelling.
Home Banks & Credit Cards Some US banks and credit card issues will cancel debit or credit cards that are being used in other countries when they have not been given prior notification of travel. If you plan on using a debit/ATM/credit card while in Switzerland, then you should inform your bank and/or credit card company of your dates of travel and the countries you will be travelling. (Keep in mind that a hold on your card is more difficult to deal with abroad with the time difference and the costs of international calling.)
You may also want to ask your bank/credit card company what they charge for using a card abroad. Some companies impose an extra fee for purchases outside the U.S. called a currency exchange fee. However, often when one uses a credit card/debit card abroad, the exchange rate is more favorable because the company uses the rate that was the best for that week in converting all purchases.
Many European ATMs only accept four digits for a pin number. You may want to contact your card provider to change your pin if it is over four digits.
Finally, you will want to know how to report the loss of your card from abroad as U.S. 1- 800 numbers to not work abroad. The company should also have a toll free number you can use while abroad.
Meals and Budgeting Take some time to plan your Budget ahead of time. Switzerland is very expensive. Restaurants will have a plat du jour (dish of the day) that is reasonably priced. You also have cooking facilities in your residence, and you can purchase food at nearby stores. Directions to food stores are provided below.
Unlike The Hague, there is no breakfast, or lunch included with the program housing in Lausanne. However, you are eligible for a 10% discount on all meals purchased at the cafeteria, or coffee shops, at the University of Lausanne. In order to obtain this discount, you must present a student identification card. ARRIVAL INFORMATION
U.S. citizens traveling to Switzerland are required to have a passport that is valid for the length of their stay. Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months after your departure date (from Switzerland). Damaged passports may be refused. Visas are not required so long as one’s stay is less than 3 months.
If you have any kind of emergency use the contact numbers at the end of this document.
Getting to Lausanne
International flights will arrive at Cointrin, Geneva’s international airport, which is about 2.5 miles (4 km) from Geneva’s city center. Follow the signs (which will be in English) to the baggage claim to collect your bags. After clearing customs and passport control, go to the train station located in the airport. You may want to stop here and either exchange money or use an ATM to obtain Swiss Francs.
In the train station you can purchase a ticket to Lausanne. However, you will need to check the schedule to insure you get on the correct train, as not all trains leaving the Geneva airport will travel to Lausanne. You may purchase your ticket with cash or a credit card. Depending on the type of service the cost should be between 25-45 Swiss Francs. Trains depart from the Geneva airport from 5:30 AM to 12:00AM. Keep in mind, the Swiss are known for their time keeping, and these trains will be prompt!
Once you arrive at the train station in Lausanne, we recommend that you take a taxi to the student housing referred to as the Rhodanie. The distance between the station and the Rhodanie is about one and a half miles, and the taxi fare will be about 15 CHF. Ask the taxi driver to take you to:
Avenue de Rhodanie 64 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland Tel : +41 21 617 81 54/56 Fax : +41 21 617 81 66
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Brief Overview of Culture Many Americans often suffer what is called ―culture shock‖ on arrival in Europe. Europe differs greatly from the U.S. in such areas as class structure, attitudes to service, and standard of living. The quality of accommodation(s), gender attitudes, etc. is quite different than in the U.S., so it is essential that you prepare yourself mentally for the fact that you are going to a foreign country. The way to deal with these differences is to be prepared for them, learn about them, and to try to be as open minded as possible about what you encounter. Language barriers can prove frustrating, but remember to be patient with yourself and those around you. The Swiss tend to dress more conservatively than other Europeans. For example if you intend to enter any churches please be advised that men must be wearing pants, and women generally need something below the knees, and pantyhose. Switzerland is home to three of Europe's major languages. Whichever language group they belong to, the different Swiss communities have linguistic and cultural ties with one of their larger neighbors. Germany, France, Italy. Lausanne is in the French-speaking region.
Climate and Time Zone In July the Average low is 57°, the Average hi is 76°. Average precipitation is 3.48 in. St. Petersburg, FL in July has an average low of 77°, average high of 90°. Average precipitation is 7.54 in. Switzerland is in the Central European Time Zone (CET) the difference from EST is 6 hours ahead.
Computers Students should consider bringing computers for their studies. However, this is a personal decision on each student’s part part. The pros and cons of bringing laptops are discussed in the FAQs page of the program websites Some students who want to have a constant digital companion, but find their laptops bulky opt to bring smaller Wi-Fi enabled devices like iPods and U.S. smart-phones whose service can be switched from cellular to Wi-Fi. Internet access is available in both the classroom, and the housing. If you want to use your laptop in the classrooms, you will need to bring an electrical adapter with you. Power strips will be available in the classroom.
Currency/Banks Switzerland is not a part of the European Union, and thus has its own currency, the Swiss Franc (CHF). CHF 1 is equivalent to 100 centimes. The Swiss franc is issued in both coins and paper monies. Denominations less than CHF 10 (CHF ½, 1, 2, and 5 as well as 10 centimes and 20 centimes) are coins while above that are paper. For this reason, it is suggested that you carry a change purse, as you will acquire a lot of ―change.‖
The exchange rate can be monitored on www.xe.com, as of 09/10 it was 1.00 USD = 1.01375 CHF or about 1 to 1. You are advised to change some U.S. Dollars into the Swiss Francs at the airport or train station(s) when you first arrive. ATM machines (―bancomats‖) are available and accept most major credit cards. If you plan on travelling to one of the countries bordering Switzerland, you will need to exchange Swiss currency for the Euro (€).
Credit Cards The best exchange rate will be achieved with purchases on a credit card. Most European stores and restaurants accept VISA and Mastercard. They rarely accept American Express. You should be able to get a cash advance on a credit card if you have a PIN number. However, the cash advance will have a higher interest rate and no grace period for repayment.
Dos and Don’ts Assume that if you cannot do something here you also cannot do it in Switzerland. While there you represent the United States, act accordingly.
Dress Dress for class, and social events, is casual. For court visits you will be expected to wear professional attire. For males this means a business suit and tie, as well as suitable (no athletic shoes) footwear. Females should wear a business suit—pants or skirts are appropriate. The skirt should touch the knee, and the shirt should have a collar and/or be appropriately cut. Comfortable shoes (not flip-flops, strappy sandals, or tennis shoes) should be worn you will be expected to walk. For non-court visits organized by the program, business casual clothing is appropriate. Business casual does not include shorts, jeans, t-shirts, tank tops or baseball caps. It does include comfortable shoes, but not flip- flops, strappy sandals, or tennis shoes.
Electric Appliances Electricity in Lausanne is supplied at 220 volts and a frequency of 50Hz. In order to use your electric appliances, you will need a converter, transformer or an adapter. (Note that there are special voltage requirements even with a converter or adapter. For example, a hair dryer cannot be over 1600. For items such as a hairdryer or flat iron, you should purchase them in Europe to ensure that your US items are not ―fried‖ by the European Electrical current.) The two prong electrical plug that is commonly used in Europe will not fit all Swiss outlets. Switzerland has its own unique plug that is not used elsewhere in Europe. The Swiss plug has 3 prongs that are circular but are thinner than the typical European 2 prong plug. While your two-pronged European adapter will fit many electrical outlets in Switzerland, the safest solution is to purchase a three prong Swiss plug prior to traveling to Switzerland. Swiss electrical adapters can be found on www.Amazon.com and other online shopping sites. Search for American to Switzerland grounded adapter plugs.
Food and Restaurants Items in Switzerland tend to be on the expensive side. Plan for $20-$25 for a good meal. A lot of restaurants will have a special ―plat du jour‖ or plate of the day for a special price.
There are several special dishes in Switzerland that you should try while here. Fondue fromage consists of Emmentaler and/or Gruyère cheeses melted with white wine and spices and served with bread for dipping. Rösti or röchti consists of grated potatoes, sometimes with vegetables, served in a round pancake form. Raclette is a cheese dish that is warmed and softened (over a fire) cheese served with dark bread, boiled potatoes and sometimes picked onions or cornichons (pickled cucumbers). And then of course, there’s Swiss chocolate! The cheapest place to buy Swiss chocolate is in the supermarkets. However, there are specialty stores where chocolate can be purchased.
Coffee is usually served in a small cup, if you want a larger cup, you need to ask for a un grand café. Free refills are not custom in Europe and you will be charged for water.
Groceries The two main supermarkets in Switzerland are Migros and Coop. There will also be smaller stores where you can purchase groceries. Co-op supermarket is one of the cheaper grocery stores located on Avenue de Cour. See Attached map. The grocery stores in the city center are cheaper than those located in the tourist oriented lakefront.
Health and Hospitals Emergency: Dial 144
Hours of Operation Most stores are usually closed by 7 pm. If you want to buy groceries on Sunday, go to a gas station. Many stations (especially Migrol which is owned by Migros) are mini supermarkets.
Housing All the rooms at the Rhodanie in Lausanne are single rooms with private bathrooms. Bedding will be provided, but you will need to bring a towel and washcloth with you, as these are not available. Internet access is provided without charge. None of the rooms are air-conditioned. As the windows do not have screens, we would encourage you to bring some type of mosquito repellant. It is a long walk from the Rhodanie to the classrooms. Most students use the public transportation system to travel between the two. Information on the public transportation is provided below.
International and Local Calling Country Code: 41 Lausanne area code: 21 Outgoing international code: 00
You can buy a Swiss com phone card. They come in CHF 10 or 20, and can be purchased all over. Another option is Skype, which is a free computer program that lets you communicate with other computers that have the program. For more information go to: www.Skype.com
Internet Access The rooms in student housing have internet connections. The Ethernet outlets are in slightly awkward places so you will need to bring a 5 or so foot long Ethernet cable. The speed of the Internet service in the apartments is dependent on the number of users-- the more users, the slower the service. Try to use the Internet at non-peak hours. Wireless Internet is available in the common kitchen areas of the student housing, but you will only be able to access it, after you have first connected to the network with an Ethernet cable.
Wireless Internet access is available in the classrooms. As Internet access overseas is less dependable than in the US, we discourage students from enrolling in On-Line academic classes while studying abroad.
Laundry At the Rhodaine you need to place a 20 Swiss Franc deposit to get a laundry card. It costs 3 Swiss Francs for a load, and there is no charge for drying. The Laundromat is in the basement of the housing. Cards can only be purchased on Monday and Wednesday.
Meals Unlike The Hague, there is no breakfast, or lunch included with the program housing in Lausanne. However, you are eligible for a 10% discount on all meals purchased at the cafeteria, or coffee shops, at the University of Lausanne. In order to obtain this discount, you must present a student identification card at the time of purchase.
Shopping Both Rue de Bourg and Rue St. Laurent are filled with shops, including Co-op, Manor, Cartier, and others (which will usually include some chocolate shops and watch shops).
University Hospital of Lausanne www.chuv.ch 21 Rue de Bugnon Phone: 0041 21 314 11 11 There are pharmacies and medical centeres (permanences médicales) throughout the city.
Safety Lausanne is a generally safe place. Keep in mind what the U.S. Department of State recommends, ―Travelers should remain alert to their personal security and exercise caution. Travelers are encouraged to carry limited cash, only one credit card, and a copy of their passport; leaving extra cash, extra credit cards, passports and personal documents in a safe location. When carrying documents, credit cards or cash, you are encouraged to secure them in a hard-to-reach place and not to carry all valuables together in a purse or backpack.‖
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s internet web site at: http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet ―A Safe Trip Abroad‖ at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.
Tipping Tipping is not obligatory and has no fixed rules, but it is common to tip 5% to 10% if service was good. It is also common to tip hotel porters and taxi drivers.
Transportation Bus Lausanne has a great bus system that goes virtually everywhere in the city.
Buy your ticket at the bus or metro stop before getting on board -- and keep in mind that the ticket machines don't give change! To avoid carrying around huge quantities of coins you can buy a "galaxy" card at any newsagent. If you will be taking a certain line frequently it is probably worthwhile getting a pass. Information and rates for travel within the zones around Lausanne is available in French on the public transport system website.
http://www.t-l.ch/images/fla/reseau_tl_resize.html (Bus Map)
There is an unlimited month long Lausanne transportation pass. If you are under 25 years old the cost is 40 CHF. If you are over 25 it is 60CHF.
You will need a passport type photo to purchase an unlimited transportation pass. You can bring an extra photo with you, or purchase one for 2CHF. The pass is for all zones in Lausanne, and is good on the busses and metro. You can only get the pass at the Glass Metro Office at the Lausanne Flon MB stop.
Metro m1 (Métro-Ouest) operates Mon-Fri from 05:30 until 00:30, every 10-15 minutes; Sat every 12-15 minutes and Sundays 06:00 - 00:30 every 20 minutes.
m2 - 05:30-24:00 (Fri & Sat night until 00:30; Sunday from 06:00) - every 6 minutes between Ouchy and Croisettes and every 3 minutes between Gare CFF and Sallaz.
FARES: Urban tariff single ticket - 2.60/3.00 CHF Short trip (3 stops) - 1.90 CHF 24-hour-ticket - 7.60/8.60 CHF* Weekly Pass 2 zones - 27.00 CHF http://www.t-l.ch/
Bike Lausanne has many bike rental shops around the city. Throughout the city is an excellent network of paths, marked bicycle lanes, and bypass tunnels that will help get you through the most busy intersections. The routes by the lake are beautiful but can get quite busy with strollers, roller bladers, and cyclists at peak times during the summer. http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/services/mobilitaet/mietvelo.htm
WHAT TO PACK
Plan ahead and pack light. It is expensive to pay for excess baggage and you will be able to use the laundry facilities in student housing. Make a list of your own personal needs and do NOT forget to bring enough prescription medicines. You should always keep your medications and valuables in your carry-on luggage or purse.
As some of your excursions will be to formal environments it is required that you bring proper business attire, this includes either a suit, or jacket along with ties for males, and comparable attire for females. Basic classroom supplies (legal pads, pens, pencils, highlighters). Bathing suit. Battery-operated alarm clock so you’re on time to class! Casual clothes to wear in the classroom, please keep in mind that Switzerland is more Comfortable walking shoes. Many streets in Lausanne are cobblestone and you will walk a lot. Copies of your passport, plane tickets and credit cards. Electric transformer, converter, and/or batteries to use your electric appliances in Switzerland. Ethernet cable (longer than 5 feet.) This is for use in your housing. The Wi-Fi in the classroom is very good. Glasses and/or contacts and a spare pair and/or your prescription in case you need to replace Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) card Light jacket/raincoat Light sweater or hoodie Medication – all that you will need for your entire trip. Bring them on the plane with you. To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. Money belt or waist bag for your money and valuables. Wear it on the plane. Small umbrella. Toiletries (travel kit). You can buy more toiletries in Lausanne as you run out of these. Ethernet Cable and power strip, around 5 feet long. Bug Spray, you are on the shore of a lake there will be bugs. DEET is best, you cannot bring the large aerosol cans on the airplane, but the little non pressurized squirt bottles work well. If you find yourself delicious to mosquitoes you may want to consider a higher percentage DEET 70%+, but be aware that this can eat through synthetic clothing. The housing is not air-conditioned and there are no screens. Wash cloth, and a towel. Sham-Wows work great and take up little space Law School ID card, for a 10% discount in the university cafeterias.
WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND
Don't bring anything you would hate to lose. Leave at home valuable or expensive- looking jewelry, irreplaceable family objects, all unnecessary credit cards, your Social Security card, library card, and similar items you may routinely carry in your wallet.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.
Hairdryers never really work efficiently in different countries. If you are in dire need of a hairdryer buy one there.
Look for packing tips at: http://www.travelsense.org/tips/packing.asp or http://goeurope.about.com/od/packingtips/ss/packing_tips_2.htm
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
Stetson University College of Law Office of Graduate & Int’l Programs Associate Dean John Cooper Address: 1401 61st Street South, Phone: (727) 562-7849 or (727) Gulfport, FL 33707 562-7857 Fax: (727) 231-0723 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Housing in Lausanne FMEL administration – Avenue de Ms. Vivien Selden Rhodanie 64 -1007 Lausanne Kittel house administrator Tel. : ++41 21 617 81 54/56 e-mail: [email protected] Fax : ++41 21 617 81 66
Embassy of the United States in Bern Sulgeneckstrasse 19 Tel: 031 357 70 11 CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland General business hours: 9:00 am until 12:30 noon and 1:30 pm until 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday; times may vary according to section.
EMERGENCIES Police (emergencies): 117 Poisoning: 145 Fire: 118 Main Emergency number: 112 Ambulances (emergencies): 144 USEFUL LINKS Travel Information Map of Switzerland: http://maps.google.ch/maps?hl=de&tab=wl Train Ticket Prices:https://www.sbb.ch:443/mct/wi/shop/b2c/artikelspezSA03.do Geneva International Airport:http://www.gva.ch/en/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-11/ www.eurail.com o The Eurail Pass: . Eurail Global Pass Youth- provides travel throughout 18 countries for 15 non- consecutive days of travel usable within 2 months. From $439. . Eurail Select Pass- provides travel in 3, 4, or 5 bordering countries for 5, 6, 8, or 10 days. From $279. . According to the Eurail website you should buy the Eurail pass in the U.S. before you go, because the same packages are not available there. www.ryanair.com www.easyjet.com o Europe has inexpensive airfare, you just have to be diligent in checking the websites for deals. The flights will be on time however, there are no amenities. If you require in-flight services like food and drink please be ready to pay for them separately. Pack a bag that you can either store overhead or under the seat as checking bags usually costs more than the ticket itself. Exchange Rates: www.xe.com Metro and bus information: http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/lau/lausanne.htm http://information.epfl.ch/page33887.html
Tourism Information Wikitravel: http://wikitravel.org/en/Lausanne Frommer’s Travel Guidshttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/lausanne/ Lausanne Tourism: http://www.lausannetourisme.ch/UploadedAsp/26958/2/F/HPLT.asp?Check=True&La nguage=E Surprising things about Switzerland: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~terry/english/surprising.switzerland.html Lausanne Bus: http://www.t-l.ch/# (in French) Virtual Tourist: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Switzerland/Canton_de_Vaud/Lausanne- 691372/TravelGuide-Lausanne.html Swiss State travel site: http://www.traveling.ch/ Bike Rental: http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/services/mobilitaet/mietvelo.htm
School University of Lausanne: http://www.unil.ch/ Student Housing: http://fmel.ch/en/houses/rhodanie/ Stetson Law Lausanne site: http://www.law.stetson.edu/tmpl/academics/inlaw/sty/neth/internal-1- sub.aspx?id=6720&ekmensel=78e6e020_170_0_6720_6 EPFL: http://information.epfl.ch/page33887.html
Miscellaneous Cell Phones in Switzerland: http://www.traveling.ch/index2.php?title=cellphones Weather: http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/06710.html Travel Books Lonely Planet Fodor’s On A Shoestring