I’d always heard that studying abroad would “change your life,” and I knew I’d have a great time, but I didn’t understand how much that statement would ring true until I actually experienced Switzerland. In the last 4 months that I’ve been here, I’ve made so many new friends, hiked so many new trails, and learned so many new words!
I go to the University of Guelph in Canada and grew up in a small town called Kincardine, just two hours away. You’ll notice I said “just” two hours. This was one of the first little culture shocks I encountered. European countries are tiny compared to Canada. I knew this, of course, but it was still a fun surprise to find that a simple 3-hour train ride could take me to an entirely new country. In Canada, you could drive for 12 hours and still be in Ontario. This difference opened the door to so many international adventures during my exchange. I’ve visited Scotland and England, and my friends and I took the breathtaking Bernina Express through the Alps into Italy. It’s a panoramic train ride I’ll never forget.
One of the biggest draws of a semester abroad is immersing yourself in a new culture. While Canada and Switzerland share some similarities, there are countless small cultural nuances. For example, it’s true that the Swiss are a very active population. This is largely thanks to their culture of walking and embracing the outdoors. The walking distance from my home in Guelph to my university is about the same as from my residence in Switzerland to FHGR. But here, it’s a peaceful and scenic 45-minute stroll, while in Canada it would feel strange not to just hop on a bus. And the walk here is absolutely stunning. I live in Konvikt Residence, perched up a hill, but the views are worth every step. Brambrüesch Mountain rises ahead while Chur unfolds in the valley below. I even pass a small cow farm on the way. I’m used to farm fields back home, but it’s rare to see livestock so close to town. Here, it feels like nature is part of everyday life. You can tell the animals live well. That’s probably why the cheese tastes so amazing.
This brings me to a question I get all the time: “Isn’t it super expensive there?” The answer is yes, absolutely, but for good reason. Switzerland takes food and farming very seriously. They’ve been perfecting cheese for centuries, and they still produce it with the same care and tradition. In Canada, cheddar is much cheaper, but it’s usually made using a more industrialized process. In contrast, it’s hard to even find plain cheddar here. Instead, stores offer a beautiful selection of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Comté. Food is made with incredibly fresh ingredients and held to exceptionally high standards, which contributes to the price. On top of that, wages in Switzerland are significantly higher than in Canada. That really surprised me, considering Canada has a strong economy. But this also means prices are more affordable for locals than they might seem to visitors. Another thing I absolutely love about being in Europe is the sense of history. Canada turns 158 this year, which seemed old to me, until I learned that Chur has over 5,000 years of history dating back to the Romans. It’s one of Switzerland’s oldest cities. Konvikt Residence is located just above the old town, which is, as you might guess, the oldest part of Chur. The beautiful stone streets are car-free and lined with cozy cafés, charming shops, and majestic old churches.
Vela Bird is an incoming student from our partner university University of Guelph. She is studying Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons for one semester.