We Are Here To Support Your Adventure
Starting a new program at a new college in a new country is exciting! However, we understand that getting started can present some challenges.
At Webster Geneva, we are committed to you and your success here as you explore your program and everything our beautiful city has to offer. Here you’ll find resources and information that will help you get to know your academic home away from home and find health insurance, cell phone coverage, grocery shops, entertainment and culture and more.
Switzerland Essentials
Health insurance is compulsory for all residents of Switzerland, including non-Swiss citizens, non-EU citizens and others. Learn how health insurance benefits work in Switzerland. You may consider comparing premiums from different insurers and find one that best suits your needs.
Reach out to Student Services to discuss insurance options and packages for international students.
Having a Swiss SIM Card will facilitate communication and may reduce your expenses. If you are planning on traveling or hiking in Switzerland consider looking into Swisscom, as it has the largest 4G network of all providers in Switzerland. Other options include Salt, Sunrise or Lebara.
Important numbers:
- 117: Police
- 118: Fire Brigade
- 144: Ambulance
- 145: Poison Control
- 112: European Emergency Number
- 111: Night Pharmacy
- 140: Road Help
If you plan on opening a Swiss bank account you can start the process after you have received your residency permit in Switzerland. A Swiss bank account will be useful in facilitating day-to-day transactions, managing your finances and avoiding fees for exchanging currency.
Some banks you may consider include:
Public Transportation in Geneva
Geneva has a robust public transit system that includes buses, trams, trains and even boats. They are all run by Transports Publics Genevois (TPG). You may purchase an all-access pass to any transport system of Geneva at any of the TPG offices in town, or online at the TPG Shop.
A monthly pass costs CHF 45, and a yearly pass costs CHF 500. Buying a pass will allow you to take as many trips as you like within the canton, as long as the pass is valid. Student discounts are available.
Transportation Beyond Geneva
If you would like to explore other places in Switzerland you can pay for a 1/2 tariff subscription, which allows you to buy any ticket in Switzerland at half price. The subscription costs CHF 180 per year and can be accessed through SwissPass.
Alternative Transportation Options
Geneveroule is an established bicycle rental service that allows you to rent bikes. For short trips there are several 24/7 rental stations around Geneva that can be access using the Donkey Republic partner app and paying a deposit of 4 Francs. The first hour is free and then you pay by hour.
For longer rental periods of several days or months, you can visit the Geneveroule office located behind the central train station of Geneva.
Grocery Shopping
Shops generally close at 6 p.m., with exceptions. The Cornavin train station and Geneva Airport are open until 10 or 11 p.m., depending on the day.
On Thursdays, most shops and shopping centers will close at 8 or 9 p.m.
Some grocery chains include:
Budget friendly grocery chains: Denner, Aldi and Lidl
Food Delivery: Smood.ch, Uber Eats and Eat.ch
Restaurants
You can find many budget friendly options for eating out in Geneva, Many small kebab shops and pizza parlors start around CHF 10. More established restaurants generally start at CHF 25-30 or more.
Rue De Marche
Rue de Marche is an outdoor shopping center located next to Old Town Geneva, and has a variety of popular stores, boutiques and markets.
Balexert, the largest shopping mall in French Switzerland, offers an indoor shopping experience, and also features a cinema, bowling alley and arcade.
Plainpalais Outdoor Market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, the Plainpalais Market is home to local vendors selling everything from semi-precious stones and jewelry to vintage cameras and coats and jackets. You will also find vendors selling food and drinks. The Plainpalais-area Market is made up of 2 kilometers where you can experience a piece of local Geneva culture.
Geneva has a thriving nightlife scene for anyone looking to experience culture and entertainment while they are living in Switzerland. The most popular nightclubs in the city are JAVA, Bypass and Usine.
In the Plainpalais area, there is an entire street of popular student bars. It is located right next to the main University of Geneva building (UNIGE) at Rue de l’Ecole-de-Medecine 1205 Geneve, Switzerland.
Other popular venues include Brasseur des Grottes for salsa dancing and the Mr. Pickwick Pub for great food and karaoke nights in an English-speaking environment.
Corner shops are prohibited from selling alcohol after 9 p.m.
For additional details about specific events like theatre, live music and more, visit the official City of Geneva website.
TPG: Find transport routes, check timings, buy tickets
SBB: Find trains, buy tickets
TooGoodToGo: Pick up restaurant food at the end of the day for a reduced price
Eat.ch/Uber Eats/Smood: Order food or grocery deliveries from restaurants and shops
DonkeyRepublic: App for bicycle rentals on the go
Language in Switzerland
While many people living in Geneva have a good grasp on English, Geneva is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. You will have the opportunity to study the French language while at Webster Geneva. Check out our guide of some essential words and expressions that can be helpful while living here.
English to French Essential Words and Phrases
- Bonjour = Hello, Good morning
- Au revoir = Goodbye
- Oui = Yes
- Non = No
- Merci = Thank you
- Merci beaucoup = Thank you very much
- Femme = Woman
- Homme = Man
- Amour = Love
- Français = French
- Temps = Time
- Jour = Day
- Monde = World
- Monsieur = Mister, gentleman
- Raison = Reason
- Mademoiselle = Miss, unmarried woman
- Madame = Married woman, older woman
- S’il vous plaît = Please
- Bonsoir = Good evening
- Bonne Nuit = Good night
- Excusez-moi = Excuse me
- De Rien = You’re welcome (informal)
- Je vous en prie = You’re welcome (formal)
- Je suis désolé(e)= I’m sorry
- Comment vous appelez-vous?= What is your name?
- Parlez-vous anglais?= Do you speak English?
- Je m’appelle= My name is
- Comment allez-vous?= How are you doing?
- Quelle heure est-il?= What time is it?
- Pouvez-vous m’aider?= Can you help me?
- Combien ça coûte?= How much is this?
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Find the information you need to prepare for your upcoming journey at Webster Geneva.