Starting my first year at EPFL and moving into Vortex – what should I expect?
Hi everyone,
I’m a 19-year-old student and I’ll be starting my first year at EPFL this September. I’ve already finished most of the administrative stuff, got my room at Vortex, and now I’m just waiting for the start of the semester.
To be honest, I’m both excited and a bit nervous because it’s going to be a completely new life in a new country. I was wondering if some of you could share your experience or give me a few tips.
One thing I’m thinking about is whether it’s realistic to work a few hours per week (maybe 6–8 hours) during the first year to help with expenses, or if the workload at EPFL makes that almost impossible. If it’s not a good idea in the first year, does it become more manageable later on?
I’d also love to hear about life at Vortex. How is the atmosphere there? Is it easy to meet people and make friends, especially as an international student? And if you could go back to before your first year at EPFL, what advice would you give yourself?
Any tips, experiences, warnings, or things I should know before arriving would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!