Estela in Chur

When I first arrived in Chur, everything felt completely different from what I was used to in Singapore. Back home, life is fast-paced, crowded, and always moving. Here, the quiet streets, the cool air, and the mountains surrounding the town felt like stepping into another world. It took some time to adapt, but gradually, I began to appreciate the slower, more peaceful rhythm of life.

As a tourism student, studying at FHGR has been a refreshing change. The classes are much more hands-on and discussion-based, with a strong focus on groupwork and applying concepts to real situations. It’s not just memorising content or listening to lectures. What I enjoy the most is collaborating with classmates from so many different countries everyone brings their own background and ideas, which makes every group activity more dynamic and eye-opening.

Living at Konvikt has also been one of the most memorable parts of my exchange. Moving out and living alone meant learning how to manage everything myself, especially cooking, since eating out in Switzerland isn’t exactly budget-friendly. At first, it was intimidating, but I slowly got the hang of it, and now I’m actually proud of the meals I can make. The community at Konvikt has made the experience even richer. There’s always someone around to hang out with—movie nights, late-night chats, impromptu game sessions. Those small moments created a sense of belonging that made Chur feel less foreign.

Another highlight has been going out with friends to experience Swiss culture together. Whether it’s visiting Christmas markets, exploring nearby towns, trying local dishes, or simply walking around to appreciate the scenery, these shared experiences have helped me understand Switzerland beyond what you see in photos. Those little adventures made the exchange feel more meaningful and helped me bond with people in a natural, memorable way.

There were also cultural adjustments to make. One of the biggest surprises was how early shops close. In Singapore, you can buy food or groceries almost anytime, but here everything shuts much earlier. It felt inconvenient at first, but eventually, it forced me to plan ahead and spend my evenings doing other things instead of constantly running errands. Life here feels calmer, and I’ve learned to slow down. And I can’t forget the chocolate. Swiss chocolate genuinely tastes better smooth, rich, and impossible to resist. It became a small ritual to try a new brand or treat myself after class.

This exchange has been about much more than academics. It has taught me independence, resilience, and how to be comfortable outside of my usual environment. Chur may be small compared to Singapore, but living here has given me experiences I would never have had otherwise. It hasn’t always been easy, but that’s exactly what made it meaningful.