¡Hola! My name is Daniela, and I am an exchange student studying Tourism at the University of Seville, Spain. I arrived in Chur in September, at the beginning of the first semester, and I lived in Kovinkt.
I was very excited and enthusiastic in the days leading up to my arrival. I couldn't believe what I was about to experience.
Chur is absolutely beautiful; it's like a city from a movie. The streets are immaculate, the scenery with the mountains in the background is spectacular, the people are very friendly, and the weather is great. It has everything you could ask for, with shops, fantastic restaurants, hotels, and a central train and bus station that allows you to travel to many places, from Zurich and Bern to Milan and Germany, among others.
Upon arriving, I felt very welcomed by the people here. Everywhere I go, people treat you with great courtesy and a smile on their faces. The stereotype that Swiss people are cold is completely untrue. In the second week of classes, I went on a field trip with my university classmates to a village called Bergun, where we went hiking with goats. It was an absolute dream, and for a day, I felt like Heidi. My classmates always approached me to chat, and we even had a little barbecue in the middle of the mountains where they offered me Cervelat (Swiss sausage) and Swiss cheese.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) team also welcomed me warmly. They are fantastic and organized numerous activities, parties, and Stammtisch (get-togethers for drinks). In the first week, they organized a meeting with pizzas, cakes, and snacks in the university cafeteria, and we played various games to get to know the international students. That's where I met one of my best friends from the exchange, a very nice Brazilian girl, with whom I traveled to Italy, Liechtenstein, and many other places.
ESN also organized a trip to one of the longest toboggan runs in Switzerland, which was super fun. The views from the chairlift were amazing, and I will definitely go back.
In Chur, there are many things to do, from watching a hockey game to bowling, going to nightclubs, hiking, and more. Another interesting thing we did was visit a chocolate shop and make our own chocolates, adding the toppings we liked the most. I had never done anything like that before, and it was a lot of fun. The chocolate bars were delicious.
Regarding the residence, it is very modern and recently renovated. It offers a panoramic view of the entire Chur and the snowy mountains in the background, which is spectacular. Inside the residence, there is a dining hall where we have breakfast and dinner, study rooms, recreation areas, a football field, trampoline, gym, kitchen, cinema, laundry facilities, everything you need. Living in Konvikt was undoubtedly the best decision.
I learned a lot about Swiss culture, traditions, greetings, gastronomy, rules, landscapes, customs, and I am completely fascinated. I would repeat this experience a million times over. Switzerland is magical in every sense. You have to experience it to understand and enjoy this beautiful and rich country.