Andreas Horat, English Major

You are a foreign exchange student. Where are you from?
I am from Switzerland. I live pretty close to Zurich in the mountains. In Switzerland, I attend the University of Fribourg. It is pretty close to the capital, Berne. It is on the border between the French and German-speaking parts of Switzerland.

What made you decide to attend the UA?
There is a special exchange program between my university in Switzerland and the University of Arizona. I came here, because there were no other options, but I like it.

What do you like most about Tucson?
The weather. For example, it is November, but I still wear shorts. That would be not be possible in Switzerland. The combination between palm trees and the mountains make Tucson gorgeous.

What are some differences between the U of A and the University of Fribourg?
The whole college system is different. U of A has more quizzes, midterms and the reading load is more tremendous than in Switzerland. In Switzerland, the universities are smaller and we do not have as many facilities. Here you have banks, a post office and even a shop where you can buy groceries on campus. In Switzerland, the campus is not really expanded. There are just some buildings for school.

What do you like most about America?
I really like America. I have seen a lot of contrast in American life. For instance, I have seen the wealthy neighborhoods in Newport Beach, but I have also seen the ghettos in Phoenix. I just like that everything is so big – like the cars, the roads, the grocery stores and the malls. If you come from a tiny country, then it’s very intriguing and fascinating.