Students Life
General information regarding USI campus, facilities and services as well as transportation and how to get to the campus can be found in the USI Student Guide. More practical information on policies, visa/permits procedures, health insurance and similar issues can be found at the USI website.
Here, we provide you with a brief introduction to the city of Lugano and its surroundings and assist you with the transition from your home country to Switzerland.
- Switzerland, Ticino and Lugano
- Living in Lugano
- Accommodation for ALaRI students
- Additional information
- Important telephone numbers
Switzerland, Ticino and Lugano
Switzerland is a country in the heart of Europe and Ticino is one of the twenty-six Cantos belonging to the Swiss Confederation. The capital of the Ticino canton is Bellinzona and largest city of the canton is Lugano where ALaRI is located. Find out more about Switzerland’s geography, culture and demographics at the following web pages:
Living in Lugano
Lugano and surroundings provide fertile soil for sport, culture, music and leisure activities and events. More information can be found at the Lugano Turismo website. Some special offers for students are available via USI sport service . Lugano offers interesting nightlife, more information on this aspect of the city life can be found at the usgang.ch website.
Accommodation for ALaRI students
ALaRI institute aims to make the process of finding an accommodation easier for you by making available University housing areas which are spread throughout the city and help you find a suitable accommodation. Student apartments include basic utilities such as electricity, water supply, utensils for the kitchen, closets and some furniture. Apartment complexes include laundry facilities, available at scheduled time.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the University and the ALaRI Institute do not have to face complaints about the apartments.
Normally, three or more ALaRI students live together in one apartment. Students are assigned to double rooms; single rooms are also available for an extra fee.
Additional information
A number of student associations are active at USI. Some of them provide assisting and advising services to newcomers. For instance, more informal information on many aspects of student life (such as insurance, communications, banking, gyms, etc.) are provided by EESTEC LC Lugano.
Important Telephone Numbers
Ambulance (Lugano Croce verde) | 114 |
Cantonal police | 117 |
Municipal police | 091 800 81 11 |
Fire brigade | 118 |
REGA (helicopter rescue service) | 1414 |
Breakdown service | 140 |
Telephone counselling service | 143 |
Lugano water rescue | 091 971 91 21 |
Poisoning information line | 01 251 51 51 |