Application Process
Applying to come to YWAM Lausanne is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1: Apply
Please finish filling out your application and submit it. (There is a link to the application at the bottom of this page.)
2: Approval
The leadership and school leaders are prayerfully processing your application. Once approved finish filling in your personal details and pay deposit to confirm your acceptance.
3: Enrollment
We will send an invoice and visa information to you with instructions on how to file before you arrive
How to Prepare
We are so excited to have you with us. There are a few practical matters to take care and genereal information of which you will find on this page. At the end of the page you can proceed to the application.
Topics Covered:
Flights, Packing, Visas, Insurance, Documents, Immunizations, Currency, Transportation, Power, Internet, Language, Mail, Weather, Agreements.
Book the Flight
Please pay your deposit before booking your flight to join us in Lausanne. The closest international airport is Geneva, and a helpful website may be skyscanner, kayak, google flights, and expedia.
Packing
Packing for a YWAM school is a unique challenge that requires hard work and dedication. We have a suggested packing list you can find here. You will likely be sharing a room with 3-5 others so it is important to consider that when packing to come. Switzerland also has 4 seasons, so be sure to have clothing that can accommodate a variety of temperatures.
Visas
Swiss student visas are required for all international students joining a program that is longer than 90 days. Students carrying passports from New Zealand, Singapore, Japan or an EU nation are able to apply for student visas after arriving in Switzerland. When your visa is approved you will be issued with an entry visa. When you arrive in Switzerland you will need to register your visa. It costs approx 170 CHF to register your student visa here (you can pay with credit card)
Health Insurance
In accordance to the Swiss Federal Law on health insurance, every one in Switzerland needs to be insured. You will be required to pay 86 CHF/month to cover this agreement.
Documents
Please bring 2-3 passport sized photos with you. These are required when registering your student visa in Switzerland, and when applying for a visa to join an outreach in another country.
When you enter Switzerland, it is important you bring the acceptance letter you received from us.
As you pack your passport, please bring a photocopy of your passport too (just in case you lose your passport while away from home).
When you enter Switzerland, it is important you bring the acceptance letter you received from us.
As you pack your passport, please bring a photocopy of your passport too (just in case you lose your passport while away from 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.
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 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/debit card to have access to your own money. Personal cheques and money orders are not accepted in Switzerland.
Transportation
Switzerland has an extensive, reliable, and convenient public transit network that makes getting around a breeze. There is a bus stop right in front of the base (Cojonnex/EHL) on the 45 line. We recommend using public transport over taxi or ride-hailing services both due to price and speed. A ticket valid for 2 hours that covers the area around the base and the majority of the city cost 5.40 CHF while a similar one-way trip via taxi will be over 40 CHF. If you are looking at traveling to other cities, the train system is one of the best ways to do so. The main station in Lausanne is connected to the main metro line and easy to get to. For more information about the rail network, click here.
Power
The electrical current is 240 volts and 10 amps. The plugs are Type J and are either two or three small, round pins. Swiss plugs are visually similar but smaller than the standard ones in other parts of Europe, so make sure you get adapters specifically for Switzerland.
Internet
The base has fast & reliable fiber optic internet access 8:30 to 23:00 Monday to Thursday, 8:30 to 24:00 Friday, 6:00 to 24:00 Saturday, and 6:00 to 23:00 Sunday.
Language
Our base functions mainly in English, however, in Lausanne and the surrounding region, the language spoken is French. The other two major languages of Switzerland are German and, to a lesser extent, Italian. We advise you pickup at least few phrases before you arrive.
Mail is delivered daily to the campus. 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. To have something sent to you while at YWAM Lausanne, send it to:
Chemin du Praz d’Eau 1
1000 Lausanne 25
Switzerland
Chemin du Praz d’Eau 1
1000 Lausanne 25
Switzerland
Weather
Weather-wise, Switzerland is not too extreme, though sometimes rainy. We do have 4 seasons so keep that in-mind when packing. It is similar to New England in the U.S. or British Columbia in Canada. It can peak at around 35°C/95°F in the summer and as low as -10°C/15°F in the snowy winters.
Agree to Agree
Before your application can be finalized, it is important you have read and agreed to the following partnership agreements. By applying to one of our courses you are agreeing to abide by our community living standards, payment and refund policy, and health insurance agreements.
