
Student Life Unplugged
Welcome to our “Student Life Unplugged” podcast, where young people from diverse backgrounds share their experiences in navigating student life across the globe. Tune in as we explore the real conversations and candid stories of students — from their academic challenges to personal triumphs and everything in between.
This podcast offers a unique platform for students to voice their thoughts on a variety of topics such as adapting to new cultures, handling academic pressures, and planning future careers. Whether it’s students in the Europe discussing the nuances of studying abroad, or cousins in South-East Asia revealing the dynamics of male students’ experiences, each episode dives deep into aspects of student life that are seldom discussed openly.
Hosted by an experienced educator who has seen both sides of the academic spectrum, our podcast provides not just stories but also guidance and insights from someone who truly understands the student journey.
Student Life Unplugged
S2 E2 SWITZERLAND - Lara and Enya - Early entrance exams, part-time jobs, no mustard please!
Deciding if University is for you is a big decision but in Switzerland you must make that choice at the age of 12! Also, most jobs in the country require a level of study to get into them.
In this episode we hear from two friends, Lara and Enya. Lara is training to be a teacher, and Enya is studying geography but is still unsure of what she wants out of it. They both live in the northeastern part of the country near the border with Hungary, Lara studies locally but Enya’s University is in Bern, the capital city.
In the conversation we explore what Switzerland is famous for, the ski slopes, the chocolate, but we also delve into the culture, food, family, and the various languages that are spoken, French, German, Italian, Romansh! We talk about the different ways students socialise depending on if you study in a town or a city and find out why you should never put mustard on a Swiss sausage!
Lara and Enya both work to support themselves through university, and we talk about how having a part-time job can also be fun and enriching.
Student Life Unplugged is hosted by Leong Hiew, a former University Lecturer with a passion for education. Student Life Unplugged is part of Leong's mission to promote the joy of learning among young people through his organisation 'Lifespan Education'. He is working towards building a positive world, to nurture communities of engaged learners for the sake of his own children and for young people everywhere.
For more information about Leong and his project go to https://https://lifespan.education/contact/
If you would like to take part in the podcast, go to https://lifespan.education/podcast/
This podcast is produced by Elisa Kennedy