Crossing Borders in Learning: Exchange Experience at ETH Zurich

During his undergraduate studies in the Department of Computer Science, Jie-Ying Lee spent a semester abroad at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, from September 2024 to February 2025. ETH Zurich is one of the world's top universities in science and engineering, renowned for its rigorous academic standards and outstanding research achievements. Albert Einstein himself once studied there. The exchange experience profoundly inspired Lee's academic perspective and research interests, and he is now pursuing a Ph.D. at the Institute of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Computer Science, NYCU, continuing on the path toward academic research.

Since 2013, the College of Computer Science at NYCU has maintained a student exchange agreement with ETH Zurich, sending one to two undergraduate students each year. This long-standing partnership provides students with the valuable opportunity to study and immerse themselves in a world-class academic environment.

The student shared that the motivation for joining an exchange program during undergraduate studies was to experience life abroad before applying for graduate or doctoral programs overseas. In addition, participating in projects and connecting with professors and researchers offered a chance to build academic ties that could benefit future career development.

Academically, ETH Zurich's teaching approach emphasizes both theory and practice, with a flexible course system that allows students to adjust course selections and exam registrations in the early weeks of the semester. Among the courses taken, Computer Graphics left a particularly strong impression. Beyond its well-structured curriculum and assignments, the course culminated in a rendering competition, where students created their own renderers and used them to generate original 3D models. Entries were judged on algorithmic design, model quality, and thematic relevance. The student's team successfully advanced to the finals; although they did not win, the chance to present their work at one of the world's leading institutions was a memorable and rewarding experience.

Outside of academics, the student lived in a dormitory in Zollikon, a quiet residential area in Zurich. The dorm offered convenient access to public transportation and supermarkets, and its international student community made it easy to make new friends. Faced with Switzerland's high living costs, the student also learned to cook for the first time—discovering that cooking not only saved money but also brought a sense of accomplishment, turning daily meals into one of the most enjoyable aspects of exchange life.

Reflecting on the five months abroad, the student described the experience as profoundly enriching. In ETH's rigorous academic environment, they gained exposure to cutting-edge knowledge and broadened their professional perspective. Living and studying alongside peers from diverse cultural backgrounds fostered international friendships and networks, while language and cross-cultural communication skills improved significantly. On a personal level, everyday challenges—such as learning to cook and managing life independently—helped cultivate problem-solving abilities and resilience. This journey was not only academically inspiring but also an immersion into Europe's rich cultural diversity, greatly expanding both outlook and mindset.

The student encouraged future exchange applicants to prepare thoroughly in advance, including strengthening language skills, budgeting, and mental readiness. They noted that while Switzerland's living costs are high, cooking at home, purchasing transportation passes, and using the Half-Fare Card can reduce expenses. Active participation in student organizations such as ESN is also an excellent way to expand social connections.

"Keep an open mind and treat both challenges and opportunities as part of the learning process—that's how you truly gain from the exchange experience," the student reflected. This short yet transformative journey not only reinforced the determination to pursue an academic career on the international stage but also left a lasting impact on personal growth.