Living in a foreign country is completely different from a vacation. Making the decision to live and study in Switzerland may be daunting, but if you accept the challenge, your mind and life will be enhanced in countless ways by what you learn. You can rest assured that things are very well organized in Switzerland, and at Franklin, you are never alone. Our warm international community supports you to get the most out of your international experience and will become part of your network.

In this section you will find practical information about living in Lugano, studying at Franklin, and tips on places to go and things to see while you are here.

Housing and Dining

Franklin University Switzerland considers student residence life an integral part of the educational experience. Our residences give you the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of living on your own.

Staying Connected

As a Franklin University Switzerland student, you will have your own on-campus mailbox and email account. Wireless and ethernet internet access across campus will help you stay connected.

Staying Healthy

Your student fees include Swiss health insurance coverage, giving you access to professional health care off-campus in addition to Franklin’s own health services.

Traditions and Activities

Soccer, politics, basketball, dancing, sightseeing, meeting people from all over the world… there is so much to do at Franklin and in Lugano – here are a few pointers and tips.

Getting Around

Franklin is located right at the center of Europe – discover how easy it is to get around in the Lugano region and beyond!

Useful Contacts

Get your questions answered by the right people. Keep this list of contacts handy.

To all incoming students and parents
Warning: Mobility by Train

As a result of the derailment in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10, the passenger trains between Ticino and the German-speaking part of Switzerland will be diverted via the Alpine Panorama Route until further notice. Although this journey is picturesque, it will take 60 minutes longer for national traffic and 60-120 minutes longer for international traffic. Since double-deck trains cannot operate on this route, there could be fewer seats available (30% fewer seats available on the weekends and slightly reduced capacity on weekdays). 

Our community is encouraged to refer to the SBB website for detailed information and plan for longer train journeys when traveling between Ticino and the German-speaking part of Switzerland. 

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