Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Louis
From: IE Business School
To: University of St Gallen
2025 • Fall
So damn overpriced. 16m^2 for over 2k per month is a joke. Location was right in town, which I liked, but most students live up on the hill by the university,…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
2200
Where was it located?
By the Cathedral, in the center of town
How can someone find this place?
https://mama-home.ch/
Would you recommend it?
So damn overpriced. 16m^2 for over 2k per month is a joke. Location was right in town, which I liked, but most students live up on the hill by the university, which is smart in a sense because there are a LOT of stairs to walk up from the center to uni every day. Landlord was an a** hole (not sure if I can say that on here). Never sent me a signed copy of the contract back although I called and emailed her multiple times (so I basically lived there illegally), and also the apartment was built badly, and the fire detector was placed right above my stove so every time I cooked the fire alarm went off and the fire department came (thats a 1,400 CHF fine btw - they came 3 times...). Landlord made me pay, so I had to sue her (which also wasn't cheap in Switzerland, but I was being ripped off and it was about the principle for me. Other exchange students found apartments for much cheaper, I think if you live not in the center of town you can get better prices
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
I study in Madrid, which is of course a huge party city, but St Gallen was so bad compared to it. There is barely any clubs, and most of the time when you go there is no one else there.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I don't recommend any of the mandatory classes for students there as the classes are overfilled and the professors are bad. And rude too. Professors were very unapproachable at HSG
Do you have some tips?
Careful with the bidding!!! If you come for universities like mine, where all your classes are picked for you, it is a little different that you have to make sure your schedule doesn't clash. Use the Biddit website from the student government to check that it doesn't clash BEFORE the bidding process Campus was also super boring. Most of the campus is just boring exposed bricks. The new building, The Square, is nice and modern but reminds me a bit of a hospital. Also, after like 7:45 in the morning, good luck finding a study spot anywhere in the uni. If you want to study in the library or in the Square, best arrive early!! (there are lines in front of the school at 7:30 already with people waiting to secure a spot)
Best trips to do?
One good thing is the trips. Super good location. Can take the train almost anywhere. In an hour you can get to a lot of different mountains for hikes, 1h train to Lichtenstein (day trip only), 2.5 train to Munich so you can go to Oktoberfest if you are there in the fall, then also the rest of Switzerland there are so many beautiful spots to travel too. Get the "Half Fare" ticket from SBB (the Swiss train operator) to get half price on all train and bus rides. Super worth it because St Gallen is super boring, so you will travel a lot. Zurich airport is an hour by train away in case you want to fly somewhere. Most classes don't have mandatory attendance so you can do longer trips and skip some classes.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in St Gallen?
Everything is expensive AF, city is super safe, very boring tho. Shops close around 18h on weekdays, and after that the city dies. On weekends (especially Sundays) you wont see a soul in town. Most HSG students also travel or go home then, so its hard to hang out with them then too. There are also only limited food options, but all very good (but again, expensive)
Not that I can think of, but feel free to reach out: lschmitz.ieu2022@student.ie.edu or +34 697 440 138
Leann
From: IESEG
To: OST
2025 • Fall
EVERYWHERE. The appenzel have the best mountains, but you can also go to Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein... It's in the center of everything,…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
650
Where was it located?
In St-Gallen, 30min from the center
How can someone find this place?
Link in the school website
Would you recommend it?
Yeah, it's nice to have every exchange student in a single building !
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Very few parties here, except the big ones - Halloween or OLMA - which are great.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Classes here are easy in general, except the financial ones and the "big projects" ones.
Do you have some tips?
Yess! Campus is awesome, the registration is very easy, everyone is here to help you being more integrated - we even have buddies!
Best trips to do?
EVERYWHERE. The appenzel have the best mountains, but you can also go to Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein... It's in the center of everything, and near ski slopes ;)
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in St Gallen?
Transport is really good, even at night, the views are incredible, and the old town is very interesting.
Maureen
From: Kedge BS
To: University of St. Gallen
2025 • Spring
It was really nice because there are only exchange students in all thé building and you can share beautiful moments with. My house was far from university and…..
What kind of place was it?
Coliving / Shared House
How much was the rent per month?
800 CHF
Where was it located?
10/15min with bus and 30min walking to university and city center
How can someone find this place?
Housing office from university
Would you recommend it?
It was really nice because there are only exchange students in all thé building and you can share beautiful moments with. My house was far from university and city center but university offer more rooms close to it. It was expensive compared to rent a room in st gallen without university but for only 4 months it is easier.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
It is a small city with not lot of bars or club but it was nice and affordable compared to other thinks that are more expensive. The buddysystem organised lot of activites for exchange students do you are not bored and you can explore switzerland from your own side.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
You can choose what courses you want to follow but the level is high even for bachelor courses. If you want to enjoy your erasmus, I recommanded to follow course with team works and not writting exams, the workload will be lighter. Specific courses and finance courses are complicated.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is cool and modern and registration too because it is switzerland and the university is well organised. I think I would pick the same uni but not the same courses.
Best trips to do?
You can easier take the train and go everywhere you want in switzerland and also in Europe and Zurich is in 1 hour by train from St. Gallen. The buddysystem organise a ski weekend and hiking trip and you just to Pay and go !
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in St Gallen?
Not lot of things to do, but there are the church and the library that is in the Unesco. But there city is pretty but Little.
Just participate to buddysystem’s events and enjoy your erasmus even if Life is expensive and courses are complicated
