2. Decision-making support and finances
The selection of partner universities can be challenging.
Scholarships
Scholarships are part of the Student Exchange Office's exchange programmes. In addition, students can apply for further scholarships. Find more information on the scholarship website.
Info events and platforms
The Student Exchange Office provides detailed information about the application process for an exchange semester and shares tips and tricks on how to increase your chances of getting a suitable place.
Date & time: September/October 2026
Location: Zoom link will be posted here
A unique opportunity to talk to former exchange students and current incoming students from various partner universities. The Student Exchange Office will also be on hand to answer any questions.
Your departmental exchange coordinators will provide information about the academic requirements for an exchange semester.
In the International Knowledge Database you can read reports by former exchange students about their exchange.
Self-assessment and learning process
What is important to me for my studies, my professional future and my well-being? How do I want to grow professionally and personally?
- Academic: All partner universities fulfil a basic quality requirement, but there are gradations. Which academic qualities are important to me? High ranking (primarily statement on research)? Innovative teaching methods? Lots of team and project work? Small groups, lots of personal contact with lecturers? Very wide range of courses? Strong selection or high entry barriers for local students? Academic network for later project work or research? Private sector network (company fairs, spin-offs, etc.) for research or traineeships later on?
- Language: The knowledge of the language(s) of instruction will improve anyway. Do I want to learn or improve another language? Study mainly or entirely in English – or also in another language?
- Surroundings: Big city, student city or campus university? Nature experience or a wide range of cultural activities? Active student organisations and university traditions? Distance to friends and family? Accommodation options? Sports facilities? Cost of living?
- Sustainability: Should the exchange take place within or outside Europe? How can I organise my arrival and departure in a sustainable way (flight, train, etc.)? How will I get from my accommodation to the campus? How good is the local public transport? How do the countries, universities and accommodation differ in terms of their sustainability programmes and activities?
Points of contact
- Websites Student Exchange Office, department, partner university
- Search portal of Mobility-Online
- external page Greener Mobility IRO Kit
- external page Green Erasmus
- (Email)
- Departmental exchange coordinator
- Lecturers, fellow students
- What goals do I want to achieve during the exchange?
- What resources are available to help me reach them? What motivates me to take part in the exchange?
- Which skills can I develop or strengthen through the exchange?
- What key factors matter most when choosing the destination?
- How will I prepare for the exchange – academically, linguistically, and personally?
Create an overview (list, mind map, mood board, etc.) and occupy yourself with your study plan.
- What goals have I achieved?
- What have I learned, both professionally and personally?
- Which experiences have left a positive or negative impression on me?
- How have I grown and changed personally during my exchange?
- Has my perception of ETH and Switzerland evolved, and if so, how?
- Are there any insights from my exchange semester that I want to revisit and pursue further?
- What advice or insights would I like to share with future exchange students?
- What would I repeat, and what would I do differently during my next academic or professional stay abroad?
- Which relationships and friendships formed during my exchange would I like to continue nurturing?
"To Dos"
- Review the overview created for phase 2
- Write your study report
- Share your personal experiences at the Infomarkt and "Get Ready to Go" event
- external page Get involved with the Erasmus Student Network
- Actively nurture the friendships and connections made during the exchange
- Take advantage of the services offered by the Career Center
Sustainability
- Download Compare the journey time and CO2 reduction when travelling by train instead of by plane (PNG, 920 KB)
- external page Hear from students who travelled environmentally friendly from and to their destination
- external page Tips for your environmentally friendly journey
- external page Interrail Pass
- external page More tips from Green Erasmus