Julian spent a term in Lausanne, Switzerland studying at the University of Lausanne.
Admiring the breathtaking Lake Oeschinen in the Swiss Alps, a pristine glacier-fed lake reached after a 1.5-hour hike. I even took a dip in its freezing waters!
This is a photo of me on a hiking trail heading up to Lake Oeschinen.
Exploring Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries, on a weekend trip from Switzerland.
This is a photo of me in the town of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. It is a very small, quaint Swiss town with beautiful glacier rivers, and waterfalls.
A view of Lac Léman from Lausanne, where I lived, with the French Alps in the distance, the same lake bordering my university campus.
Hiking to the Randa Suspension Bridge near Zermatt, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, on a 6-hour trek with fellow exchange students.
This is a photo of me on the Randa Suspension bridge hike. The views were breathtaking.
This is a group photo of me with the ESN group on our Zermatt trip. You can see the iconic Matterhorn mountain in the background – it’s the same mountain on a Toblerone chocolate bar.
A breathtaking sunrise view from our hostel window before an early morning hike.
A final dinner with the friends I made on exchange before we all headed home!
Julian, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Co-op
Q: Why did you choose your host country and institution?
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I chose Switzerland as my exchange destination because its central location in Europe made it an ideal base for traveling and exploring neighboring countries. Combined with its stunning landscapes, world-class hiking opportunities, and the opportunity to study in Lausanne—a beautiful lakeside city with strong academic offerings and highly recommended transferable courses—it was the perfect fit for both my academic and personal goals.
Q: What was an average day like in your program?
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A typical day abroad balanced academics, cultural immersion, and travel planning. With afternoon French-language classes focused on reading, writing, and speaking, I spent my mornings organizing weekend trips across Europe. Living near a metro station made commuting to campus convenient, and outside the classroom I participated in campus events, spent time with friends, studied, and prepared for upcoming travels. The experience allowed me to strengthen my French skills while fully embracing student life and exploring Europe.
Q: What was one of your favourite experiences from your time abroad?
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One of the most memorable moments of my exchange was celebrating my birthday in Switzerland with friends from home who flew overseas to visit. Together, we explored the Swiss Alps, hiked breathtaking trails, visited charming towns by train, and experienced local traditions such as Swiss fondue and chocolate. Having a piece of home with me while living abroad made the experience especially meaningful. Equally memorable were the many evenings spent with new friends, sharing stories, building connections, and enjoying the stunning lakeside and mountain scenery that surrounded campus.
Q: What was it like to live and learn in another language? (If applicable)
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Living in a new city and learning to navigate daily life in a language I was not yet fluent in was one of the most challenging—and rewarding—parts of my exchange. Simple tasks like reading signs, understanding food labels, or asking for help in a store often pushed me outside my comfort zone. While there was definitely a learning curve, I found that people were incredibly patient and supportive when they saw I was making an effort to speak French. As the semester progressed, my classes, everyday interactions, and plenty of help from Google Translate helped me improve not only my language skills but also my confidence. Looking back, those small daily challenges became some of the most valuable learning experiences of my time abroad.
Q: Were there any challenges? If so, how did you overcome or cope with them?
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One of the biggest challenges of my exchange was adjusting to life in a completely new country. Arriving without knowing anyone meant I had to build a new social circle while also managing practical challenges such as housing, visa paperwork, public transportation, and adapting to a new culture and language. While the transition felt overwhelming at times, I was fortunate to have strong support from both Waterloo and my host institution. Waterloo’s exchange coordinators and academic advisors helped navigate course approvals and transfer credits, while my host school provided resources and virtual sessions that made settling in much easier. I was also initially concerned about making friends, especially since I was not yet fluent in French. However, a student-led organization for exchange students organized a week of social events, activities, and orientation programs that made it easy to meet people from around the world. By the end of the semester, what started as one of my biggest worries became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Q: Did any of your experiences challenge the assumptions you held about your host country or culture?
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One of the biggest culture shocks I experienced in Switzerland was adjusting to early store closing times. Unlike in Canada, where shops are often open late, most stores in Switzerland close by 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and are closed all day on Sundays, with some also shutting briefly for lunch. This required more planning for simple errands, but I eventually adapted to the slower, more structured pace of daily life.
Q: Has this exchange helped you personally, academically or professionally?
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My time abroad had a significant impact on my personal, academic, and professional growth. I became a more experienced traveler, visiting over 10 countries in four months while balancing coursework, budgeting, and constant planning and navigation. Academically, I adapted to a different European assessment style where final exams often accounted for the majority of the grade, which required a new level of preparation and focus. Professionally and personally, the experience strengthened my independence, adaptability, and intercultural awareness, while reinforcing the value of embracing new environments and taking on unfamiliar challenges.
Q: What were your experiences like when you returned home? Did your understandings about your own life or reflections on your experience change after you came back to Waterloo?
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Returning home after exchange came with a clear readjustment period. After months of living abroad—meeting new people, exploring new places, and constantly adapting—settling back into familiar routines in Canada initially felt quite different. While it was a bit bittersweet, it was also comforting in some ways due to moments of homesickness. Looking back, the experience left me with a new perspective and a stronger sense of self. I became more independent and open to new experiences, often choosing to say yes to opportunities I might have previously avoided. It also deepened my cultural awareness, as being surrounded by diverse people and experiences abroad encouraged me to reflect more intentionally on my own values and habits.
Q: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
- If I could do this all over again, the one thing I would’ve done differently is I would’ve gone sooner! I went in my 4A term which meant I had to be very strategic with how I structured my semesters leading up to and while on exchange. This involved a little more planning on my end so to avoid this I would recommend going in a 3A or 3B term.
Q: Do you have any advice for Waterloo students thinking of studying abroad?
- My one piece of advice is GO! If you are thinking about studying abroad or having hesitations, take the leap, step outside your comfort zone and go! You will be surprised at how many like-minded students you’ll meet during your time abroad and you are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. Also, what a perfect way to explore and see the world while in your early twenties and you are completing your degree – it’s a win-win!