Karolina Wnuk kwnuk@o2.pl Open Letter ... - University of York

Open Letter – Geneva 2013/2014
Karolina Wnuk
kwnuk@o2.pl
Hi, my name is Karolina. So far I have spent 6 months in Geneva. I would like to share some
important information and suggestions with you. I both study and work in Geneva. Recently, I
have decided to join the ESN committee (as a responsable communication), it is great to
organise events for exchange students. Before I get down to my letter I would advise you to
read the open letter from 2009 – it contains practical information and I will assume you have
read it. I am going to stay in Geneva for 10 months altogether.
First of all, before you come here, it is of a primary importance that you keep track of all the
e-mails you get from Geneva and read through them carefully. Everything will be explained –
people in Geneva are meticulous and won’t omit any important information. All the process
of documentation is easy to follow if you do what you are asked to step by step and on time.
Secondly, before you come to Geneva make sure you take a detailed map of the city with you
(most of the streets should be mentioned). I can’t express how much it helped me on the day
of my arrival and for the first few weeks.
When you get to Geneva airport make sure you get your free ticket BEFORE you leave the
luggage section – I made this mistake, so I had to buy my ticket - it was around 3 Fr, so not
that expensive, but still, you can get it for free.
I arrived in Geneva on 13 September. I was lucky enough to get the university accomodation
at 2, Rue Hugo-de-Senger, which to me is high standard (we share the kitchen - everyone has
their own fridge - as well as the bathroom – and it is only 440 Fr/month = £300). Be prepared
that when you arrive, you will have to pay a deposit in a bank worth as much as one month of
your stay (440 Fr) - you will have less than a week to pay it into the bureau des logements’
account. You will be given all the details when you come to claim the room-key.
In 2012, the beginning of the academic year was on 17/09, so quite early. On 14/09 we had so
called: séance d’accueil, which is an aperitif for all exchange students where they can get to
know each other and obtain important documents (such as a student card). This is also the

time where you have to take your ‘Certificate of Attendance’ with you to get it signed (after
the session). Your insurance proof will be checked.
Be ready that every weekend, on Saturday, the stores (also food stores) close at 5 or 6 o’clock
and they are closed on Sundays all day – make sure you do shopping before Sunday. Cost of
weekly shopping for food is around 60 Francs (£45 - £50).
It is a great idea to find a job in Geneva. Students from abroad usually teach English language
– private lessons (or other language, if you are an international student), that is usually paid
30-35 Swiss Francs per hour, or do baby-sitting - 15-20 Fr per hour. The easiest way to find a
job is to go to Bureau d’Emploi office and ask them to log you in the system (with your
university login and password) and then you can start reviewing the offers online. If you
seriously look for a job, I would recommend to do it every day and respond as soon as you see
the offer. It is a good idea to have your CV prepared – also a French version – there is a
service in Geneva that helps to review it for free – ask in the bureau d’emploi office.
Even though it seems it is close everywhere in Geneva I recommend to get a monthly ticket –
45 Francs. You can get it at Gare Cornavin at tpg unit. You will have to show your ID (you
need to be less than 25 y.o. to get the ticket half price – 45 Francs). One very convenient thing
about Geneva is that it is easy to get to the airport from practically anywhere. You just go to
Gare Cornavin and then take one stop by train – direction: Airport. It is easy to travel to
England (Easy jet) or to any other country (you can plan some travelling over Christmas or
Easter holiday eg with your new friends from Geneva).
If you like doing sports you will get a small booklet in the beginning of the year explaining
university sports offer. If you like swimming, it is worth to get a monthly pool ticket: it’s only
10 Francs (again, if you are less than 25 y. o. – piece of identity required) - you can use the
pool as much as you want for the whole month (eg Piscine de Vernets). Important note: you
have to come with your own padlock, only a locker is provided. Unlike Uni of York, in
Geneva you have to pay for most of the sports.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me on kwnuk@o2.pl at any stage of
your trip to Geneva. Good luck!