My Exchange in Sarajevo*
Going on exchange is always an adventure, but going somewhere no one from your university has gone before? That’s a challenge.
When I was deciding on my exchange semester, my options came down to Warsaw or Sarajevo. I chose Sarajevo. I wanted something more artistic, I was drawn to the Balkan culture, and honestly? I just wanted a completely new experience.
Since I was the first student from FHGR to do this specific exchange program, I didn’t have a predecessor to ask for advice. So, I decided to do some scouting. I flew down in the summer before the fall semester started. It was the best decision I could have made. It gave me a chance to feel the city's rhythm, check out the campus, and most importantly, sort out my living situation.
First Impressions: Mosques, Burek, and the City Circle
Sarajevo hits your senses immediately. It is a visibly multicultural city a blend of Muslim, Arabic, Turkish, and Bosnian influences. You hear the call to prayer from the mosques and smell fresh Burek wafting through the streets.
The city layout is surprisingly friendly. There is a cute Old Town (Baščaršija), and one main tram line that essentially runs in a circle. You basically can’t get lost.
However, the IUS (International University of Sarajevo) campus is located in Ilidža, about 50 minutes by public transport from the Old Town. This brings me to my biggest piece of advice for future students: Housing.
The Housing Dilemma: Dorm vs. Apartment
I checked out the dormitories, but I ultimately decided against them. They are segregated by gender and quite strict you have to be back inside by 22:00. You can extend this to midnight, but you have to ask permission in person every single time, even on weekends.
I wanted the freedom to explore and host friends, so I rented an apartment. It was a bit pricier, but I don’t regret it for a second. It allowed me to have a real social life without watching the clock.
Campus Life at IUS
The university environment was a culture shock in the best way. The biggest adjustment? Formality. At FHGR in Switzerland, we usually call lecturers by their first names. I did that here, and the other students looked at me like I was crazy! Everyone here uses "Professor."
The classes are long (usually 3 hours with short breaks), but the teaching style is straightforward and hands-on. My favorite course was Project Studio One, where we had to rebrand a local company new logos, marketing, the whole package.
I also had a "guardian angel" moment. A Turkish girl in my class noticed I was new and took me under her wing. She showed me where to buy proper art supplies, explained how attendance worked, and helped me settle in. The campus is heavily Bosnian and Turkish, but everyone is incredibly welcoming and speaks English.
Social Life: The ESN Lifeline
If you go, you must join the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). Since I didn't live in the dorms, this is where I met everyone.
They organize monthly events like Pub Crawls, Karaoke nights, and trips to Belgrade and Zagreb (highly recommend!). The highlight for me was the flag party**,** everyone dresses in the colors of their home country’s flag, and they rent out a bar just for us. It’s a space where you can just dance and not worry about anything.
The Swiss vs. Bosnian Reality
Living here, you notice the small things. In Switzerland, I stick to my bubble, mostly hanging out with other MMP (Multimedia Production) students. Here, that bubble popped. My friend group was a mix of law students, artists, and engineers from France, Spain, and Germany. We had the same humor and vibes, despite our different backgrounds.
There were adjustments, of course. You can't find the same grocery products as you do in Swiss supermarkets. You have to learn cultural cues, ike realizing that some Muslim women may prefer not to shake hands, which is just a sign of respect you learn to navigate.
And the weather! When I arrived in September, it was warm and sunny. By November, the fog rolled in, and the cold snapped shut. It’s similar to Swiss temperatures, but you definitely need to pack warm clothes.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I became much more extroverted. I learned how to connect with people who are vastly different from me.
If I could describe Sarajevo in one sentence, it would be: Adventurous, multicultural, and full of life.
My advice to you? Don't overthink it. Be open. Talk to people even if you’re shy. The semester flies by, so do as much as you can. I’m already planning to go back, hopefully for the Sarajevo Film Festival next August!
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Nils Kindlimann is a Multimedia Production student at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. He spent the fall semester studying at our partner institution, the University of Sarajevo.