French, in Olten, on a one year exchange from the Paris Descartes University
Unexpectedly, we are treated here more like adults here and expected to contribute our opin-ions. In one class, where the issue of Catalan independence was discussed, we then moved onto whether Breton, Alsation or Corsican independence movements were the same and opin-ions varied greatly. We exchange students from France were free to give our opinion and not feel judged – the whole discussion was constructive and non-judgmental.
Perhaps because students are generally a little older here and have had work experience, the educational environment is more mature. Lecturers are close to students here, inviting us to participate and I’ve never been afraid to give my opinion.
We were briefed before going to Switzerland that everything would be more organised and that was a key motivation for me to come. Two other reasons were that I could study entirely in English and that it was not too far from home. After one semester, I am indeed more organised now.