Welcome to Europe

If you’ve never visited Europe before, get ready for a very different experience to what you’re used to in Saudi Arabia. And even if you have already visited, there are plenty of things to keep in mind when living and working in the continent.

Transport

Due to its relatively small size and population density, getting around in Europe in private vehicles can be difficult. That’s why trains, metro and buses are the standard mode of travel for everyone, including wealthy professionals and senior executives. In most cases, public transport is faster, safer and more convenient than driving or taking a taxi. What’s more, services such as Uber or Bolt are not available everywhere – including Crans-Montana where our campus is based. And if you’re worried about carrying luggage, trolleys are available at all train stations to help.

We recommend you analyze what you are bringing, as using public transportation with more than two luggages can be challenging and bell-boy assistance in Europe is not a common service at airports, train stations, taxis or even hotels.

There is a limited number of cars available for hire at our Les Roches Crans-Montana and Marbella campuses – please see the following pages for details on how to go about renting them and which documentation you will need to provide.

Housing

European cities are densely populated and the buildings reflect this as well as the history and culture of their location. Particularly in older cities, much of the housing is found in historic buildings that feature smaller rooms and may not have an elevator. This is not a sign of poor quality; it’s part of the charm of living in Europe and what makes the continent unique. If you’re staying in rural areas, especially during winter and spring, you may find spiders or bugs sheltering indoors from the colder temperatures. This is normal, these creatures are completely harmless and this is not a sign of uncleanliness.

During your internship and on campus, accommodation is typically shared with fellow interns and everyone is expected to actively contribute to the cleanliness of the home and follow house rules.

Punctuality

In European culture – whether professional or social – arriving on time is extremely important, while lateness is widely considered rude. In a work setting, arriving 5–10 minutes early is expected and this applies to classes, shifts, appointments and meetings without exception.

Groceries and self-sufficiency

Europe is yet to embrace the 24-hour shopping culture except in major population centers such as London or Paris. In most places, shops typically close at 7pm on weekdays and at 5pm on Saturdays, while in Switzerland and much of central and northern Europe, most are completely closed on Sundays.

Since students are expected to cook for themselves and organize their own food and drink shopping, it’s therefore essential to plan ahead. This is particularly important since food delivery culture is far less developed than in the Gulf, so ordering takeaway may not be an option.

Weather and seasons

Unlike in the Gulf, Europe experiences four distinct seasons, meaning it can be very warm in high summer and extremely cold in winter. Make sure you pack warm clothing to cope with the drop in temperatures during autumn and winter, when snow is not uncommon in many parts of Europe.

Depending on where you are, you can expect things to start warming up in the middle of April/early May, while things will start to get cooler towards the end of September.

Dress code and attire

While there is no universal formal dress code throughout Europe, most people dress to at least a smart/casual level when going out during the evening. At work, things are much more professional and while things have relaxed a little in recent years, business attire is required and wearing a suit on your first day is highly recommended. In almost all situations, it is considered impolite to wear sunglasses, caps and other hats inside any building.

Noise and neighbor etiquette

Because people live in close proximity to each other, especially in cities, a large degree of consideration is required. While it’s perfectly fine to socialize and enjoy oneself, neighbors are expected to reduce noise levels to a minimum later in the evening and definitely ensure they do not make excessive noise between the hours of 10pm and 8am. In Switzerland, it is in fact illegal to make noise between these hours and on Sundays.

Trash, recycling and household rules

In almost every European city or town, there are strict rules on trash disposal and recycling. As well as ensuring you take your trash out and leave it in the designated collection areas, you will also need to separate recyclable items from general garbage. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the local regulations.

Religious practice and prayer

As a multicultural society, Europe accommodates many religions and associated practices, so please be mindful of this and respect each denomination’s right to worship.

In the event you are taking part in the program or on internship during Ramadan, you should discuss with your professor or direct manager to make the necessary arrangements, for example, if you need a room in which to pray.

The nearest mosques to our Crans-Montana campus can be found in Sion. There are three: the Mosquée El Falah, Annour and the Centre Culturel Islamique.

Our Marbella campus has the King Abdul Aziz Mosque (also known as the Grand Mosque) less than one kilometer away, while there are also mosques in nearby Fuengirola (Mezquita de Fuengirola) and Torremolinos (Masjid Al Momin).