Visa
If you do not have a UK or European passport from a Schengen nation and your stay exceeds ninety days, you will need a visa for your time at YWAM Lausanne (mandatory for all DTS students). Contact Admissions for more information about how to apply for a visa before you arrive in Switzerland.
Currency
The national currency is the Swiss franc. The standard international definition for the Swiss franc is ‘CHF’. There are 100 centimes to each franc. You can check the current exchange rate online at:
www.oanda.com/convert/classic (http://www NULL.oanda NULL.com/currency/converter/)
You will be able to use credit cards at most major retailers. If you have a bank account you should be able to withdraw Swiss francs at ATMs. This will usually give you the best exchange rate. Check with your bank to see if your bankcard will work in Switzerland. You should bring cash, traveler’s cheques or a credit card to have access to your own money. Personal cheques and money orders are not accepted in Switzerland.
Time Zone
Switzerland is in the GMT + 1 hour or Central European Time (CET) zone. To check the current time in Switzerland visit:
www.worldtimeserver.com (http://www NULL.worldtimeserver NULL.com/current_time_in_CH NULL.aspx)
Power
The electrical current is 220 volts and 10 amps. The plugs are either two or three small, round pins that are sometimes smaller than the standard ones in other parts of Europe. While you may be able to find plug adapters and voltage converters in Switzerland, it is usually easier to purchase these items in your own country.
Health Insurance
We require all staff and students to hold medical health insurance. The recommended minimum coverage is 1,000,000 CHF. In addition to this, YWAM Lausanne requires that everyone hold evacuation and repatriation insurance, which is generally not included with most travel health insurances. This coverage pays for any medical transport coverage to your home country or nearest country where acceptable treatment can be performed if you are in a life threatening condition. It also covers the cost of an immediate family member to travel to you if you are hospitalized in a foreign nation. It is important to note that most home country medical insurances DO NOT provide this coverage. We highly recommend an internationally recognized travel insurance policy. Most of our students use MNUI’s Atlas Plan (MultiNational Underwriters) or the Banner Group’s Short Term Global Connections. Both offer sufficient coverage in all required areas.
For comparison, policy details, online quotes and application, click here (https://www NULL.hccmis NULL.com/atlastravel/?referid=23892&language=en-US)
The following proof of insurance will need to be provided to us via email before your arrival or on registration day of your school based on your provider:
MNUI Atlas Series: If you enroll by following the link on our webpage, then we will be automatically notified via email of your policy. For your own information, please bring a printed copy of the policy with you.
Banner Group: A copy of your email confirmation is sufficient. For your own information, please bring a printed copy of the policy with you.
Another provider: Printed proof of insurance policy including ALL of the following:
- Policy number and dates of coverage.
- Recommended minimum coverage of 1,000,000 CHF (or equivalent currency).
- Evacuation/repatriation coverage in case of life threatening illness or death.
- Contact phone number for provider in case of any questions regarding your policy.
We require all students who have insufficient coverage or those who do not have proof of insurance on registration day to purchase either MNUI or Banner to complete registration process. Since travel insurance covers incidents related to your travels to Lausanne, we recommend purchasing before you depart home.
Immunizations
You may want to complete, or update, the following vaccinations with your local doctor: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. Some of these could be compulsory for outreach destinations if you are attending a school here at YWAM Lausanne. You may find it more cost effective to receive these immunizations in your own country.
Language
In Lausanne and the surrounding region, the language spoken is French. The other two major languages in Switzerland are German and, to a lesser extent, Italian. Visit the following link to find common expressions:
translate.google.com (http://translate NULL.google NULL.com/)
Air tickets
For inexpensive flights within Europe check out: www.easyjet.com (http://www NULL.easyjet NULL.com) or www.ryanair.com. However, EasyJet’s baggage allowance is only 20kg/45lbs, so if you are transferring from an international flight make sure to pack lightly. Depending on your age and student status you may be able to find inexpensive international flights at www.sta.com. (http://www NULL.statravel NULL.com/)
Mail/Post Offices
Mail is delivered daily to the mailboxes in the lobby. Stamps can be purchased at the reception desk in the Annex. The closest post offices are Vers-chez-les-Blanc (about 2 km away) or Epalinges (about 2.5 km. away). The post office in Vers-chez-les-Blanc is open weekdays 7:30 to 11:30 and 15:00 to 18:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 11:00. The post office in Epalinges is open from 8:00 to 12:00 and 13:45 to 18:00 on weekdays only.
Telephones
There is a public pay phone in the hallway next to the dining room: +41(21) 784 13 98. This is used for all incoming and outgoing calls for Chalet residents.
Internet
The internet café is found on the ground floor in the Chalet where you can check your email and chat with your friends on MSN or Skype. The computers are available between the hours of 9:00 to 23:00 Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 18:00 Friday, 9:00 to 24:00 Saturday, and 9:00 to 23:00 Sunday. In addition, we also have wireless access in the Chalet beginning at 12:00 on weekdays and 9:00 on weekends. Wireless shuts off at the same time as the internet cafe computers.
Public transportation
Bus:
Metro and Bus to the YWAM Base: Travel time: 30min.
Frequency: The metro leaves every eight minutes, buses leave approximately every 15 minutes. Cost: 5 CHF. You can purchase a ticket at the metro stop at the Lausanne train station that will function as both your metro and bus ticket. On the machines outside the metro, select the “destination name” and enter Ecole Hôteliére. Check here for exact departure times:
http://www.t-l.ch (http://www NULL.t-l NULL.ch/)
From the train station, cross the street and take Metro 2 (M2) by the McDonald’s to Croisettes. From Croisettes, take bus number 45 (toward Chalet-à-Gobet) and get off at the Ecole Hôteliére stop, which is almost directly in front of the YWAM Lausanne base. YWAM Lausanne is a four-story building opposite Ecole Hôteliére. You have arrived!
Taxi:
Taxi service from Lausanne to the base costs more than 30 CHF one way because we are outside the “tarif de taxi” for the city of Lausanne. Check out:
www.taxiservices.ch (http://www NULL.taxiservices NULL.ch/)
You can find an interactive city map of Lausanne at: (http://map NULL.search NULL.ch/lausanne)
map.search.ch. (http://map NULL.search NULL.ch/lausanne)
Train:
The Swiss rail system is very safe, highly developed and reliable for travel between cities in Switzerland. For more information, check out the following link:
www.rail.ch (http://www NULL.sbb NULL.ch/en/home NULL.html)
Contact details
Our street and mailing address is:
YWAM Lausanne
Chemin du Praz d’Eau 1
1000 Lausanne 25
Switzerland
Phone: +41 21 784 23 23
Fax: +41 21 784 23 20
Weather
Weather-wise, Switzerland is relatively mild, though sometimes rainy. It could be considered similar to New England in the U.S. or British Columbia in Canada. It can peak at around 85F/30C in the summer and as low as 15F in the snowy winters. This can change rather drastically, as the base is situated up high in Chalet-a-Gobet (just below 900 meters/3000 feet). You’ll feel the shift in altitude as you head down to the city of Lausanne and Lake Geneva.
Preparing your bag
The challenge with packing your bag is the uncertainty of where you will go for your outreach phase, which is determined during the twelve-week lecture phase. You may find yourself in the midst of winter in Switzerland for lecture phase leaving for a hot-climate country for your outreach. The best option is to pack clothes that can be layered easily, that way you are prepared for a variety of climates and situations. It is also important to pack modest, culturally appropriate attire, including at least one long skirt for women and at least one collared shirt and one long pair of pants for men. Also be prepared with at least one appropriate outfit for church and/or nice events.
While it is best to come prepared, it is in your best interest and in the best interest of your roommates on base and outreach team members that you pack lightly. The best luggage to bring would be a piece with wheels or a backpack. You will not like the extra books and clothing you brought when you have to drag your luggage around with you on trains, planes and buses. Don’t forget to consider the baggage allowances and related fees that airlines are charging. Some airlines like Ryan Air and Easy Jet will not allow more than 20kg/45lbs, so pack light!
Preparing your heart and mind
Like most things in life, your experience at DTS will come down to your expectations. For some, it will be five of the most beautifully, unique months of their lives. However, if your expectations are unreasonable, you will inevitably be disappointed. It is important to fully research the DTS before committing to come. While ultimately you decide to apply for the school, communicating with God throughout the process, taking time to listen and reflect and assessing your expectations will ensure that your expectations are realistic and that you have a positive experience. It is wise to take time to prepare your heart and mind too. You will be glad you did!
