Spend a semester abroad
Find the right exchange
You would like to live abroad while continuing your studies? Well, you can! During your studies, you have the opportunity to spend time abroad for a semester or a traineeship. And you can get financial support and have your credits validated at home.
What are the options?
Semester abroad
You are studying at a Swiss university or other higher education institution.
- Study abroad for 2-12 months
- Financial support
- Recognition of your academic achievements.
Traineeship abroad
You are studying at a Swiss university, FH, PH or HF.
- Traineeship of 2-12 months abroad
- Financial support
- Recognition of your traineeship achievements
Semester mobility or internship in Switzerland
You are training to become a teacher or have recently completed your studies.
- Semester mobility or internship in another linguistic region of the country
- Duration of stay from 2 weeks to 12 months
- Financial support
- Recognition of your achievements
Language assistants abroad
You are studying at a university or other higher education institution, or are a recently graduated teacher.
- You teach your native language abroad
- 6-12 months
- Monthly salary
European Voluntary Service
You are currently in your intermediate semester or have completed your studies.
- Commitment to a non-profit organisation abroad
- 2 months to 1 year
- Financial support
Immerse yourself in a foreign culture,
develop new skills and
broaden your personal horizons!
Discover a new culture
A stay abroad allows you to immerse yourself in another culture. You will get to know the local way of life, improve your language skills and make international friends. These experiences will broaden your horizons and allow you to see the world from a different perspective.
Boost your CV
A stay abroad is a valuable investment in your future. During your stay, you will not only expand your professional knowledge, but also acquire important soft skills. These include intercultural skills, independence and problem-solving skills – future skills that are in high demand on the labour market.
Live abroad
An exchange semester is a unique opportunity to live abroad without interrupting your studies. Once you have a fixed job or a family, living abroad tends to become more difficult. It will likely never be as easy as it is now!
Your institution will support you in planning your stay
The mobility office or the International Relations Office (IRO) at your university/higher education institution is responsible for organising a stay abroad. Find out about the available partner institutions for an exchange semester, about traineeship opportunities and about the application process on your university’s website. You can find the relevant links here.
Compile your application documents and submit them in due time. The mobility office/IRO can tell you exactly which documents are required and which deadlines apply.
Once your exchange has been confirmed, you can prepare your stay. Find out about accommodation options, insurance and visas well in advance. Enjoy the anticipation of your adventure!
Find your university
Frequently asked questions
The mobility office/international Relations Office (IRO) at your university is responsible for the organisation. You can find the contact list here.
The mobility office/International Relations Office (IRO) at your university can also provide you with information on possible destinations for a semester abroad. Each university has its own partnerships with institutions abroad. For traineeships abroad, we also recommend that you clarify in advance with your university which destinations are possible and how your university can support you.
Movetia provides financial support for exchange projects on behalf of the federal government and the cantons so that as many students as possible can take part in a mobility programme. The Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) promotes student mobility abroad. You will receive a lump sum for your trip and stay. It will be paid to you directly by your home institution. For one semester of five months: CHF 2000. During your stay, you will only pay tuition fees at your home university in Switzerland.
There is always someone who will help you: the host university or company, your university at home, or friends and family. Experience will show you that it’s easier to find solutions than you think.
The principles of the SEMP require that your academic achievements during your mobility be recognised at your home university. For this purpose, a so-called “Learning Agreement” is signed in advance, which confirms the expected learning outcomes.
If you would like to study at a Swiss university, we recommend that you contact the International Relations Office (IRO) of your university and enquire whether it has any Swiss partner institutions. If you would like to do an internship in Switzerland, the coordination of the grant application has to go through a Swiss university. You can contact the IRO at your university or contact a Swiss university directly.
