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By Anna Carolina Porto Carvalho
I’ll never forget the surprise of my friends when I told them I was moving from São Paulo — a tropical city of 11 million people – to a small student town of 40,000 in the Swiss Alps to pursue my LL.M. in Compliance at the University of Fribourg’s Institute for International Business Law (IBL). Leaving my full-time job as a lawyer at a tech company to focus on academics was a significant change, and arriving at the tail end of winter, I wasn’t sure what to expect — except that it would be cold!
Finding a place to live was a challenge at first. I started with temporary housing, checking out the city before deciding on a dorm. It was a great choice, offering meals on weekdays and the privacy of my own room and bathroom. Fribourg is incredibly walkable, so I found a place close to campus and just 10 minutes from the university’s 26 libraries. Moving was definitely one of my biggest initial challenges as I carried all my belongings by myself up a hill — which required four 30-minute trips.
With the shift to academic life, I had more time and was eager to explore new hobbies. The university offers over 70 sports, most of them free, so I tried a bit of everything — from boxing to Zumba — until I found what I enjoyed. It’s a fun way to meet people, and I often go with friends. The university also offers free language courses, adding even more to the student experience.
Anna Carolina Porto Carvalho Source: University of Fribourg
Fribourg’s vibrant social scene made it easy to connect with fellow international students. From happy hours at the famous bar Café Culturel de l’Ancienne Gare to the University’s Natural History Museum and Botanic Garden, there’s always something to do. The annual Music Festival, with over 100 free concerts, is a highlight, filling the town with great shows — where I enjoyed a wide range of styles and met many friends as I walked through the entire town, appreciating music.
The city is not only a wonderful place to live, it’s also surrounded by amazing spots. In addition to the places I was able to visit during the IBL events, such as the wonderful dinner we had at Auberge aux 4 vents during a stunning sunset, other nearby cities are easily accessible by train. The famous (and very Swiss) Maison Cailler, where you can even make your own chocolate! Speaking of Swiss food, the Canton of Fribourg is also home to the internationally renowned Gruyère cheese — produced in a charming town with an impressive museum inside a castle.
Fribourg’s landscape also provides great spots to hike or even take part in water sports in nice countryside cities like the beautiful Murten — one of my favorite cities in Switzerland and where I always go when I miss the beach – or the historic Estavayer-le-lac. During one such adventure, while swimming in the region, my friends and I locked all our belongings in a locker, with the key inside. We had to ask a stranger for help to contact the locker’s customer service, and we waited for 45 minutes — with nothing but our bathing suits.
Source: Aldo Ellena University of Fribourg
The city’s central location is a significant advantage from both personal and professional perspectives. Its easy access to major cities, airports, and even neighboring countries makes weekend trips convenient. This proximity also enables close contact with companies and law firms, making it easier to attend events across the country.
Additionally, the University of Fribourg’s reputation and strategic location attract not only a diverse group of international students but also a distinguished body of professors and guest lecturers. The excellent location allowed me to visit more than 24 Swiss cities during the summer break — mostly on day trips. I had unique experiences that only Switzerland can offer, like swimming in the river in Bern, stand-up paddling in the Fribourg countryside, attending the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Convention in front of the UN building, hiking in the magical Valposchiavo, or taking boat tours between Thun and Spiez, or at Lac Léman in Lausanne.
As I suspected upon my arrival, Fribourg can indeed get cold in the winter (at least from my perspective). However, what I didn’t expect was that this small city, where the neighbours greet each other on the streets, would be able to captivate me so deeply. Moving abroad to study was challenging; leaving behind my family, friends, job and culture was initially terrifying. Yet now, although I still miss my home country, I must admit that everything becomes easier while studying at a prestigious and innovative Institute surrounded by great friends, beautiful landscapes, enriching experiences and, of course, plenty of local apricots, cheese, and chocolate.
Anna Carolina is an LL.M. candidate in Compliance at the University of Fribourg’s Institute for International Business Law (IBL). She holds a bachelor’s degree in both Brazilian and French Law from the University of São Paulo and the University of Lyon and a master’s degree in Economic Law from the University of Lyon. She boasts extensive experience from the tech sector, working specially with innovation, regulation and corporate law.
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