Zurich Film Festival

The city of Zurich is currently hosting its seventh film festival. Between the 22^nd of September and 2^nd October a variety of new films are being shown including premières. Last night me and a flatmate decided to go and see what all of the fuss was about.

The Zurich Film Festival features the premières of a number of international and Swiss films.

Celebrities, actors and directors from across the globe have already descended upon Zurich to see the annual film festival. For example the director, Sean Penn as well as popular Swiss personalities such as the satirical comedian Viktor Giacobbo and singer Baschi.

After flicking through the programme we decided to go for the second showing of Contagion as the première was by invitation only. After taking our seats, we discovered that this wasn't going to be just any ordinary showing of a film. Prior to the film, the hostess welcomed the arrival of Laurence Fishburne (aka Morphius from the Matrix), a distinguished actor who has starred in Apocalypse Now and CSI for example, before presenting him with the Special Achievement Award! I knew that there was going to be an actor present, thanks to the 'Darsteller anwesend' small print on my ticket, but it was a great surprise to find out that it was such a recognizable actor and that he'd be collecting an award.

The film festival is taking place downtown in Bellevue, right by the lakeside. Pictured: the development of the festival venue under way...

The film itself was the usual Hollywood big-budget spiel that you'd expect, and the plot probably wasn't the most original – the protagonists plot to develop a vaccination against a worldwide bird-flu-esque epidemic. However, having said that, I enjoyed it very much!

The Semester Begins

My long-awaited first semester at the University of Zurich started this Monday and it's been quite a busy week. I've enrolled in 4 courses; introduction to literature, German linguistics, German language history and Russian. All of which are taught in German, which is great – by being thrown into the deep-end, I hope that my German will be able to improve as quickly as possible.

There are two universities in Zurich; the University of Zurich (pictured) and the ETH.

However, it has been a little tricky getting to grips with the linguistic courses whilst being taught in a foreign language, particularly as it's a technical subject that I've not been exposed to before. Free time will be something that I'll be becoming more and more unfamiliar with, as I'm certainly going to have to study hard to make sure I understand everything – I guess likening this exchange to a year-long holiday was a little hopeful of me! Having said that, I'm enjoying all of my courses (despite the 8 o'clock starts) and finding them interesting.

I've also noticed a couple of things at the university here, for example every lecture has a 15 minute break – something I find quite nice as it gives you chance to get to know the other students. I was then a little bemused to discover that at the end of every lecture, everyone knocks on their desks – which according to the Swiss students I asked afterwards, is supposed to be a sign of respect to the professors – like clapping perhaps.

Inside the university's main building, in which most of my lectures take place.

All of my lectures are taught in High German, but most of the students speak Swiss German to each other, so it has certainly been worthwhile taking the time to learn the dialect here. Besides, an Englishman speaking Swiss German (or at least attempting to) is a great conversational ice breaker and has allowed me to get to know a few of my classmates already. I'm sure as time goes on, my German will develop and I'll find the courses more manageable too.

Exploring Affoltern

As the semester doesn't start until tomorrow, I've had another free week - enabling me to use the time getting to know the area I live in. Affoltern is a city district to the North of Zurich. Close enough to the city centre to be convenient, but far enough away to be surrounded by plenty of scenic countryside.

The Katzenseen are among the prettiest urban lakes in Switzerland.

Affoltern is lucky enough to have a couple of small lakes – the Katzenseen - where people often go to swim, sunbathe or have a barbeque. In fact it seems to be extremely popular as I discovered when walking around the lake, I noticed that any available sunny space around the lake had a swimsuit clad occupant. This popularity isn't restricted by the seasons either, I've heard that during particularly cold winters it's possible to go ice skating here! Although invariably like many other places in the German speaking realm, you must always be on your guard and not stumble upon the nudist areas...

One of the many little constructions I could find in Bergholz.

There are not just lakes here too. Directly off my street is a rather nice forest, Bergholz. My new favourite jogging route, and looking at the number of other folk I see there, a favourite of the locals too. Curiously, I've only been up to Bergholz a few times so far, but I've always noticed a solitary gentleman sat on a tree stump playing his trumpet. I imagine his wife cast him out into the woods to go and practise, at least judging by his talent – or rather lack thereof.

This past week has also been a good opportunity to get to know the other students here, whether at one of the Erasmus Student Network events or at any of the random parties which have been going on. I'm sure there'll be yet more once classes begin next week too...

First Impressions

This week I met up with a friend of mine, who came to Zurich for a language course. A great excuse to go and see the sights of Zurich and try out the night life here. It's been a really enjoyable week, and I've seen a lot of new things here.

The view from the Uetliberg look out point, with Lake Zurich on the left and the Alps in the background.

For example on one clear evening, we decided to make a trip to Uetliberg – a hill with a look out point over the whole city. From here we could easily make out the Swiss Alps in the distance. I'll have to pay them a visit at some point...

After a week of living here, I've noticed that Zurich is really as ridiculously expensive as I've heard. I've never really been a great fan of beers for example, but when the next cheapest drink is 13 CHF (or about £11), it becomes quite an incentive to change my habits. Although whether incentive is the right word, when a beer can cost three times as much as that in the UK, I'm not quite sure. Luckily the beer here is very good. It's the same story for meat prices here too, I'm resisting – in vain I might add – to becoming vegetarian.

I've also noticed just how easy it is to get around the city. The monthly transport pass I bought, enables me to use all city centre trams, buses, trains and even water taxis! I've also made the most of it by setting up a bank account with the Zürcher Kantonalbank, which – as part of their service - gives me free tickets for the night buses.

Zurich's extensive transport network includes train, buses, trams and water taxis. The water taxis act as a great boat tour around the Limmat river and the Northern part of the lake.

I've also found noticeable just how clean it is in Zurich as well as how fit and healthy people are in Zurich, despite everyone being heavy smokers.

Aside from all of that, this week has been a productive one. Having set up a bank account, acquired a residence permit (to the tune of £70), picked up a Swiss mobile number and attended a matriculation event at the university, I feel ready to start my year of study here.

Grüezi Switzerland!

I'm here in Switzerland at last - and with the right currency this time! After spending my Summer in the UK, the first thing I noticed upon my arrival was that Summer weather does actually exist. That, together with the beauty of the city, gave me a great first impression.

The Limmat river runs right through the city from Lake Zurich. The Fraumünster church (pictured) is one of Zurich's icons.

When I finally arrived, I found that I'd managed to get a newly built, spacious flat for a bargain of a rent - albeit relatively speaking of course! Fully equipped with everything, except – disappointingly - it's missing a kettle. Quite a critical piece of kit for a tea-addicted Englishman. Having said that, I'm really happy with it and after meeting a few of my flatmates, I'm sure I'll have a comfortable time here.

One of the many winding streets in Zurich adorned with Swiss flags.

After some initial stuttered conversations, it's apparent that a whole Summer spent without speaking any German whatsoever has had a marked effect on me. Although I'm glad I took the time to try and get an ear for Swiss German. It has certainly come in useful – I hear less High German on the streets than I do English! Besides, I can probably excuse these initial hiccups as the 15 hour trip here took the edge off my concentration – or so I'd like to think!

It wasn't until after putting my feet up in the evening, whilst sat on my rather nice balcony, that the exciting realisation finally sank in: this is going to be my home for the next year.