Mobility specification

Country:Switzerland

Institution:University of Basel

City:Basel

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Law

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?neutral

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?The teaching is not like ours - the subject does not have lectures and seminars. My courses were either lectures only or seminars only. One of my courses was even conducted in blocks and was combined with various excursions.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes. The orientation week (the whole program lasted exactly three days) was great. The first day was very administrative, but the rest was more about getting to know others - we played different games, competed for university merch, had a guided tour of the city... ESN Basel even took us over one day and we had a program with them on the beach by the river.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:20000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Not really. Besides, you have to expect to pay at least 45 CHF to register and then "de-register" at the migration office.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Basel is right on the border with Germany and France. There is a tram to the German town of Weil am Rhein, right in front of two big malls. Just over the border you will find one - there is a huge grocery MARKTKAUF (you will find not only food, but also electronics, clothes, household equipment). Then there is a LIDL in the Dreiländergalerie. Food is much cheaper there, but I used to go to Germany to shop about once every 14 days. A ticket will cost you almost 10 CHF (if you have a special discount card - Halbtax).

How to save on transport, among other things, is just to buy an annual card from SBB - Halbtax (the cost is 120 CHF per year - we got it back from the university as a benefit), which gives you all fares in Switzerland for half price - this applies to buses, trams, trains, some cable cars, etc. In the case of the SBB, there is also the Friends Pass, which is good for group travel around Switzerland. For CHF 80 per day, you get a pass that is valid from midnight on the day of activation until 5am the next day. Up to 4 people can travel on this Pass at the same time for the entire validity period. My friends and I travelled around Switzerland this way for almost nothing - it works out to 20 CHF per person. The only condition is that you all have to be under 26. You don't necessarily have to be a student.

There's also a lot of cycling in Basel - I lived in the very centre, so I didn't even bring my bike and walked most of the time - but a lot of my friends brought/moved their bikes and used them often.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?All connections can be found on the SBB website or in the app (I find the app very clear). You can also buy a ticket here.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?For me, Basel is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland - the history itself breathes on you. It's definitely worth walking through the whole historic part of the city - it's mainly the city centre. In autumn, the very famous Herbstmesse (Autumn Festival) takes place, which runs for perhaps 14 days - you can sample local delicacies, drinks, have fun on the carousels or other adrenaline attractions. Basel is also full of art - there are countless museums of various categories. Most of them I had free entry to thanks to getting a Swiss ID card (sometimes it was free for two people) - until you get your ID card, you will receive a welcome packet from the canton of Basel at your local address, full of various vouchers, especially for all sorts of admissions.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Oschinensee, Via ferrata Mürren, Lugano (overall canton Ticino), Zurich (don't forget to visit the Lindt Museum here), Luzern, Grosser Mythen, Bern, Interlaken, Schynige Platte - Grindelwald (wonderful hike along the ridge), Rigi-Kulm, Gorges du Taubenloch, Neuchatel, Biel (take the cable car up the hill - wonderful views of the town and its lake), Ponte dei Salti, Monte Tamaro, Cascata del Salto, Cavergno, Rhine Falls, Stoos (overall the canton of Schwyz has beautiful mountains and wonderful hikes)

France is close by too, so don't forget the charming town of Colmar (some of the most beautiful Christmas markets I've ever visited - a bit kitsch, but worth it!) Or Strasbourg.

Share your best experience:I can't say what the best part was, I loved every moment there. It was the best decision of my life!

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Car

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?If you're driving and staying in the city centre, make sure you check if you can enter the historic part of the city - there are restrictions and a charge of CHF 20 at certain times.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?I took advantage of the fact that I was driving and bought a lot of dry food in the Czech Republic.
Definitely don't forget warm clothes if you're going in the fall and good quality boots for those hikes!

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?An incredible, breathtaking, amazing experience - every moment of my Erasmus was unforgettable. Go at any cost!