Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to footer
Logo of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Degree Programmes
Continuing Education
Research and Services
International
About FHNW
En
Locations and ContactFHNW LibraryMedia Relations

      Logo of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
      • Degree Programmes
      • Continuing Education
      • Research and Services
      • International
      • About FHNW
      En
      Locations and ContactFHNW LibraryMedia Relations
      Life Sciences
      International
      Exchange students talk about their experiences
      Yannick Wirz
      29.7.2024 | School of Life Sciences

      Yannick Wirz

      Yannick took the opportunity to do a double degree in Sweden and spent one additional semester at Linköping University.

      Interview with Yannick Wirz

      Field of study: MSc in Life Sciences, specialisation Organic and Supramolecular Chemistry
      Stay abroad: Double Degree
      Host institution: Linköping University
      Semester: Autumn 2023

      What made you decide, what motivated you to go abroad?
      There are several reasons. Firstly, I would probably like to do a PhD after my Master's, and having both degrees from the FHNW and LiU will be a great advantage. And as it was my first long stay abroad, I wanted to experience what it's like to be completely independent.

      Why did you choose your host institution/country?
      I had never been to Scandinavia before, but I wanted to discover this part of Europe and travel around a lot. I also thought that the Swiss and Swedish cultures were quite similar, so I would soon feel at home. I had also heard from friends who had spent a semester in Sweden how much it had changed their lives. I was not disappointed.

      What is your everyday life like?
      Compared to Switzerland, I was able to stay in bed longer because the lectures didn't start so late and because I lived very close to the university. In the lectures I soon made some friends from Sweden and other countries, with whom I had a great time not only in the lectures but also in restaurants and at other activities. In the evenings, I often went to the centre of Linköping to try out new restaurants or I used the local delivery services. Linköping also brews a very good local beer called "Folkes Slusslager".

      What surprised you the most about your stay abroad?
      What surprised me the most is how affordable it is to travel by train and bus. You can easily travel to other cities like Stockholm, Göteborg or even Oslo and pay very fair prices. Of course, in Switzerland, where I live, we have probably the most expensive public transport in the world, so maybe I'm a bit biased.

      Also, many shops are open all day from 7am to 10pm. This is really incredible coming from Switzerland, where shops close earlier and are not open at all on Sundays.

      What tips would you give to future exchange students?
      I would advise to arrive not to late on the first day. I arrived at my apartment at 8 pm and realized that I had to organize some things (most important duvet and pillow for the bed). So plan, to arrive a bit earlier in case you need to go to IKEA or other stores, which close earlier.

      Is there anything else you would like to share?
      The biggest recommendation from my side would be that you travel around when you have time, and you will have plenty of time alongside your studies. There are also student organisations like ISA and ESN that organise trips to Estonia, Norway, Iceland, Finland and other places in Sweden. I took part in a trip to the north of Finland and was able to see the Aurora Borealis in all its beauty. It was one of the most impressive events not only during my stay, but in my whole life.

      1/5
      The amusement park Liseberg in Göteborg during Christmas
      2/5
      An old Viking church in the open-air museum in Oslo
      5/5
      Huge Christmas tree at the central place of Linköping
      I want to go abroad!

      I want to go abroad!

      Would you like to study abroad for a semester or do your thesis project outside Switzerland? Find out all you need to know here.

      Degree Programmes

      Life Sciences
      Overview Exchange Experiences
      Irina Hauri

      Irina Hauri

      Leiterin International Office und Weiterbildungsmanagement

      Telephone

      +41 61 228 50 66

      E-mail

      international.lifesciences@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW Hofackerstrasse 30 4132 Muttenz

      Sarah Lehmann

      Sarah Lehmann

      Assistentin International Office

      Telephone

      +41 61 228 50 66

      E-mail

      international.lifesciences@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW Stab Hofackerstrasse 30 4132 Muttenz

      hlsHLS-ErlebnisberichtHLS-experiencesdd-liu

      FHNW School of Life Sciences

      FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
      School of Life Sciences

      Hofackerstrasse 30

      CH - 4132 Muttenz

      E-Mailinfo.lifesciences@fhnw.ch

      More information about the location

      What we offer

      • Degree Programmes
      • Continuing Education
      • Research and Services

      About FHNW

      • Schools
      • Organisation
      • Management
      • Facts and Figures

      Information

      • Data Protection
      • Accessibility
      • Imprint

      Support & Intranet

      • IT Support
      • Login Inside-FHNW

      Member of: