Scrambling for housing after university admission

Shubhangi Makkar

Shubhangi did not succeed in getting university accommodation and had to look at other options for international students like her. 

Any kind of rejection is hard to digest. This includes getting a housing request rejected by your Swiss university. The competition for housing is so stiff that despite sending hundreds of emails, there is no guarantee that you will get a room. I have realised that it is even more difficult for someone coming from outside Europe. Adding to the worries are the scammers who use fake listings to prey on the vulnerable.

Shubhangi Makkar

Based on my personal experience, here is what I can suggest if you need a roof in a hurry: 

Email your Student Advisor 

Let your student advisor know about your situation. They will at least try offering you some information about alternatives. In my case, they were kind enough to subsidise a my rent for a month as it was an emergency and I had no place to stay. 

Register on housing portals

JUWOExternal link, an organisation providing cheap accomodation to students under 28 years who earn less than CHF30,000 a year. Doing this as soon as possible is beneficial as it takes time to start receiving emails. They offer great housing options in prime locations with lower rent. 

Keep checking the WOKO External linkwebsite (student housing but again, the competition is stiff. There will be almost 30 to 40 people being interviewed for one room and even these people are shortlisted from a long list of about 100 people. So, make sure you are quick in grabbing an opportunity as soon as you get it. 

Also, as an ETH Zurich student, you can register at ETHZ WohnenExternal link. They have a list of accommodations that have been verified by the ETH Housing office and are likely not to be scams. Also, the portal gives you a chance to find flatmates. 

Alternatively, you can search for housing offers on UZH MarktplatzExternal link. I would advise you to check these websites daily, as they are updated frequently. 

Lastly, join the various Facebook groups such as Housing in ZürichExternal link, Zürich HousingExternal link and many more. Again, make sure that you respond to the ad as soon as possible. 

Keep a copy/scan of all your documents handy in case you need to send them swiftly for a housing application. The documents you will be asked for as a student will be a proof of identity, your matriculation letter from your university and your residence permit or visa in some cases. 

Youth Hostels/AirBnb

In case, none of the above options work out for you and times is running out, you’ll need to settle for temporary solutions. There are several youth hostels around Switzerland which offer relatively cheap options for your temporary stay. 

The view from my suburban Airbnb. Shubhangi Makkar

However, even these are high in demand during the start of the semester. Alternatively, you can try to book an Airbnb. That is what I did and was lucky to find one in the suburbs that was affordable. Since Switzerland is well-connected, transportation was not a problem. Personally, I feel it gives you a chance to explore the countryside which you might not get the opportunity to do later. On a positive note, the suburbs are very peaceful and offer scenic beauty. It will be a nice start to your Swiss journey and the price you pay for all this is very reasonable.

The moral of the story is that you do not have to be disappointed if you are not given university accommodation. Take it as a yet another opportunity to explore the city!

For more blog posts and information on studying in Switzerland visit our dedicated page Education Swiss Made. 

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