“I was initially very hesitant about going abroad for my internship. After discussing it with my mentor, I decided to take the plunge and head to Zurich. This was a unique opportunity to work on an exciting project at the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich.

In my first week, I immediately checked out the rugby club in Zurich, RUZ. I already played rugby back in Eindhoven, so I thought it would be a good way to meet new people here. I ended up playing in all the matches, which allowed me to see much more of Switzerland than I had initially expected. It’s an amazing feeling to join a team in a different city and experience the sport in another country. Plus, it’s helpful for discovering the city’s nightlife when you’re with people who already know the good spots!

Besides rugby, I’ve spent a lot of my free time hiking in the mountains, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends. From Zurich, it takes just 60 to 90 minutes by train to reach the Alps, where you can easily get to elevations of over 2000 meters. I got a train pass because transportation costs in Switzerland can add up quickly otherwise. Even though I’m only at the edge of the Alps, the landscape is incredibly impressive. Between the mountains are beautiful lakes, and in the distance, the peaks seem to stretch on forever. Hiking in the mountains also helps me clear my head and take a break from the city and my project, which is sometimes just what I need.

To get around the city, I managed to find a bike. Biking around the city instead of taking the tram really gives you a sense of how the city feels and functions. Despite the occasional steep hill, I find it’s nice to take a different route home after a day of work and discover something new in Zurich along the way.

All in all, I look back on my decision to go abroad with a lot of satisfaction. Even though I miss Eindhoven, my experiences in Zurich are ones I won’t soon forget!”