Study International Sports Law in Zurich, and travel around Europe!

For anyone considering completing a Global Short Program, I would 100% recommend it! It has by far been the most amazing experience I have ever had. I was given the opportunity to study International Sports Law in Zurich, Switzerland. Not only was I engaging in a course that was relevant for my future studies, but the location was ideal for travelling! So not only did I gain academic credit for my course, but I also got to travel around Europe so easily! The course also included various social programs where we took a day trip to the capital city of Switzerland, Bern, and got to hike their local mountain, Uteilberg.

As I was studying International Sports Law I was provided the opportunity to participate in a sports arbitration moot and we were taken to the FIFA Headquarters too! We also did a day trip to Lausanne where we got to see the Olympic Museum!

Aside from academic learning in the legal field, this short-term exchange program provided me with further insight into not only the Swiss Culture but Europe as a whole. During the program, we were given the opportunity to have a Traditional Swiss Dinner which was one of my favourite nights. Along with trying traditional Swiss food, I was able to learn a few phrases of the languages spoken in Switzerland. Switzerland is divided into various areas with having some parts being German-speaking, some being French and they also have an Italian region. Switzerland also has a dialect of German known as Swiss German which was commonly used in Zurich. At first, it was a slight culture shock when we would go to the grocery store or to a restaurant and they would initially speak to us in German and we would provide blank stares because we were confused. Since then, I have learned that it is polite to first ask them whether they know English in their language before speaking straight in English. By doing this we were provided with better services as opposed to our initial days when we would speak English instantly. This was especially required in the French-speaking areas of Switzerland along with France.

Another thing I learnt about general Europe culture was that travelling around Europe was so normal for everyone. Everywhere in Europe is so close and a lot of students do day trips or even weekend trips to another country because its so nearby. Still to this day I am so fascinated with the fact that it only took me 3.5 hours by train to get to Milan from Zurich! I got to go to another country as a day trip on the weekend and it was absolutely amazing. It was such a foreign and amazing concept to be apart of as Australia is such a vast country and a three hour drive from Sydney would allow us to only just reach Canberra.

One of my favourite memories from the whole experience was attending the Zurich festival which happens every three years. The timing of our course and this festival was perfect as we got to experience a true Switzerland tradition. The streets were entirely blocked off with multiple food stalls, performances and rides and games for everyone!

Another one of my highlights was I was able to paraglide across the Swiss Alps! Never did I ever imagine myself doing that, but the opportunity to travel through this short-term program really encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and make the most of my experience. Overall, this was the most amazing experience and I would do it all over again!

Aryenish Kavarana
Faculty of Law
International Sports law at Universität Zürich, Switzerland
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship receipient