International Exchange Student guide

HESAV international affairs office will assist you with your visa application and work permit, when applicable.

• • EU/AELE nationals: no visa is required
  • Canadian nationals: application to be sent to your local Swiss authority representative (Consulate, Embassy,…). Within the Swiss-Canada agreement, application procedures differ for mobility exchange students and interns.
  • Other non EU/AELE country nationals: check here if you need a visa

Visa application:
The process can take up to three months, make sure you start it on time with your local Swiss Embassy or Consulate.

NB: exchange students do not pay HESAV study fees.

Total: approx. minimum CHF 1'600.-/month

Students from a European higher education institution who meet certain criteria are eligible for a SEMP (Swiss-European Mobility) scholarship.
Also inquire with your local school about scholarships in your home country to study at HESAV.

Finding accommodation takes time and is challenging in the Lausanne area, especially for short stays. Start your search early and explore several options simultaneously.

Beware of rental scams when inquiring about online listings, never make payments before checking the rental offer is legitimate.

For short-term stays, subletting a room (sous-location) or joining a shared apartment (colocation) could be the easiest options.

You will find several accommodation providers in the area, please refer to the information on this page.

Insurance

In Switzerland, health, accident, third-party liability and repatriation insurance coverage are mandatory for exchange students coming to HESAV.

Opening a bank account

Should you wish to open a bank account to pay for your daily expenses and bills in Switzerland, some banks such as BCV, UBS or Postfinance offer free accounts for young people under 25 years old.

You can compare subscriptions offered by providers such as Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise, M-budget-mobile, Yallo, Lebara, Aldi-mobile, Coopmobile, etc.

• Finalize your registration with the International affairs office at HESAV
• Confirm your course choices with study advisors from your school and HESAV
• Bring your own professional uniform for practical classes at HESAV

Should you do your practical placement at the CHUV, you will need to complete several administrative procedures to get your CHUV badge and professional uniform. We therefore strongly recommend arriving in Lausanne on Thursday evening or Friday morning prior to the start of your placement and setting aside approximately 2.5 hours to complete all the required formalities.

If French is not your first language, French lessons can be useful. The requirement to study at HESAV and do a practical placement with HESAV is a B2 level in French.

University of Lausanne offers courses in French as a foreign language. Free integration courses are also offered by the City of Lausanne, or non profit association such as Français en jeu, Caritas Vaud, etc.

Language tandems from the University of Lausanne are available to HESAV students. They are free and allow to practice French with French-speaking students, in exchange for conversations in your first language.

Settling in: Practical guide from the City of Lausanne

• Update your mailing address in Switzerland
• Finalize your registration with authorities:
• ⚠ Regardless of visa requirement, a residence permit is required for anyone staying in Switzerland more than 90 days.

⚠ Your application for your residence permit must be submitted within 14 days after your arrival in Switzerland, or in some localities such as Lausanne, already 30 days before your arrival.

Campus Santé is easy to access with Lausanne public transports.

Here you will find timetables and routes for all public transport in Switzerland, SBB Mobile app can be downloaded to your mobile phone.

Compare offers and fares: an AG travelcard (abonnement general), a "half-fare" travelcard (carte demi-tarif) or discount tickets (billets dégriffés) can save money on transport costs, according to your personal needs.

For occasional use, car sharing or bike sharing are available in the Lausanne area.

Always ask about public transport discount rates available with your HESAV student card.

Joining student groups like the Erasmus student network will help you find practical information and meet other students in Switzerland.

• Make sure you receive copies of your exam transcripts or course attendance validation
• Cancel your accommodation
• Cancel your insurance contracts, phone subscription, etc.
• Unregister with the Residents' Control Service, inform them about your departure
• Update your new mailing address