How Indian Students Experience and Adapt to Student Life in Switzerland

28 January 2026

Have you considered going away from your homeland to another country where daily life has order and peace, and is also connected to all over the world? Many Indian students are attracted to Switzerland not only to receive an education, but to live in a different culture which they believe will change their personality and thought process. Being a student in Switzerland combines the benefit of being in an academically regulated atmosphere with the multitude of advantages of having access to many cultures and having personal freedoms, thus providing an extraordinary opportunity for Indian students who wish to expand their horizons beyond what they currently experience in their home countries.

In recent years, an increasing number of Indian students have been choosing to study in Switzerland due to its well-known universities and the relaxed and friendly nature of the nation. Because of this trend, in 2024 and 2025, many of the institutions within Switzerland have been providing even more assistance to international students through the introduction of many new programs which are offered in English and new orientation programs to help familiarize students with the culture of Switzerland. These measures have made it much easier for Indian students to settle into their new Swiss life, while still enjoying the experience of living the Swiss lifestyle.

In Switzerland, as a student, you will live in a structured and yet flexible environment. Universities provide you with the opportunity to learn independently, participate in open discussions, and think practically. At first, this environment may be different for you, however, it provides you with the opportunity to improve your self-confidence while developing a solid academic base. The classroom experience also mirrors the higher education experience in Switzerland wherein excellence, research, and innovation are highly regarded.

Cultural adaptation is an integral component to this experience. Indian students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of Swiss culture through contact with local people, as well as through the behaviours and values which are highly regarded by the Swiss (e.g., sense of timing, honesty, and personal space). As Indian students exhibit these behaviours throughout their daily lives, this will have a very positive impact on their ability to create strong relationships with their fellow students, as well as have a heightened capacity to connect with Swiss culture. Examples of these types of behaviour are things like arriving on time and following the established direction process, which can greatly improve the rate at which Indian students are able to integrate into Swiss culture.

One of the best aspects of studying in Switzerland is the multicultural atmosphere that students will experience. All of the universities in Switzerland draw students from a variety of cultures around the world, including multiple countries within Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, which provides Indian students with a rich experience working together with students from different cultures. The ability to participate in intercultural exchange is a major part of the student experience in Switzerland, including through group work and presentations, and also at many of the various social events throughout the school term.

In addition to academics, studying in Switzerland will offer students a full experience of life and be a very pleasurable opportunity where all the possibilities of comfort and relaxation are present. Living in Switzerland will help the student adjust easily to a new academic balance due to being in an organised, clean environment, with access to reliable transport and safe communities. Thus, they will have all the opportunity to focus on their education and personal development.

In order to support the educational experience for international students who are attending a university in Switzerland, it is important for teachers to have a good understanding of what the unique needs of the international students are.

Many international students face many difficulties and adjustments to life in Switzerland. Some of these difficulties include adjusting to their new lifestyle and surroundings without the support of family and friends; adjusting to a different educational setting; and working to adjust to a different way of living. In order for the international students to be successful in adjusting to their new lives and feeling as if they belong on their respective campuses a number of universities in Switzerland offer international students various forms of assistance (i.e., academic support, building a sense of community).

Regular contact with one’s family is essential when adjusting to life and study in a foreign country. Email, texting, and connecting via telephone are all excellent ways for international students to keep in touch with family and friends while living in Switzerland. There are many ways in which international students can stay in touch with their families and friends while studying in Switzerland. For example, two of the best ways include the use of technology (e.g., video-conferencing) and traditional postal services, as well as participating in local community events. It is also quite easy for international students who attend universities in Switzerland to get involved with student organizations and group activities, and in turn, these opportunities provide international students with additional opportunities to make new friends while in Switzerland. Many Swiss universities today recognise that additional support for their international students is critical to ensuring that the international students are successful socially and academically while attending university.

Over time, Switzerland becomes a “second home” to Indian students. These students develop greater independence, cultural awareness and professional readiness as a result of the experience of being a student at Swiss universities. Swiss universities add academic value to a student’s study abroad experience but they also assist in shaping long-term career goals and personal perspectives. This change will help you to understand the full value of studying abroad in Switzerland.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we want to help Indian students who are starting their study abroad experiences in Switzerland through every phase of their journey, from selecting universities to helping them get settled into life in Switzerland with confidence. If you need a personal adviser who will help guide and support your development and success as an international student in Switzerland, please contact us at +91 9319996328. You will receive the support of a trusted organisation and begin your journey towards global enrichment.