Hello Martin!

First of all, welcome to Lausanne, u will love it here:) As for the accomodation, i know that FMEL used to offer rooms to exchange students without having wait like forever( im now 1 year in the database and still waiting) So try have a contact on the phone.

Also, for the first time you can rent a room in the hostel( starting from 30 franks a night i think)...

However, i found a place via http://www.easywg.ch/, but most of the land lors will require ur personal presence. I would advice to try to make as much as possible appointments in one week, and then fly over for one week to run through all of them. This is how i managed it( i flew over from netherlands)

Good luck! if u need more info, dont hesitate!

Hi, Martin! I have a similar problem (visiting student for 4 months starting from October, 1). I also unable to visit Lausanne before my arrival. Tell me, please, which solution worked for you.

P.S. We could also find an appartement and share it together. If you are interested, I can provide your with further details about me.

The UNIL and EPFL have a shared database with housing classified. You have to be registred in a swiss school to be able to see it, but I think they can send a file too. (I have put my appartment in there, but I cannot see the other offers, as I am not a student. Ah well...)

ps.: a webpage about the subject on the university's website:

www.unil.ch/sasc/page39822_en.html

add http://

Hi guys.. Finding the accommodation in Switzerland for short term rent is extremely difficult especially in big cities.. 

You could try check out anibis.ch a portal where individuals post announcements for everything and nothing- as it is free.. 

You will simply be not able to rent an appartment( even for sharing) from an agency. As the  minimum required stay is 1 year and you have to provide them with all sort of guarantees. In addition they will prefer someone with longer term over you. You can check out the ads from local newspaper 24heures.ch under "a louer" section. 

I have a studio for rental but may not be ideal for you as it is located in Montreux. 

Do you know if there is any opportunity to find a host family living close to Lausanne? I am also in a hurry to find a new accomodation sonce I need to move from Vevey to a new place!

Thanks!

I called FMEL and tried to talk myself into an apartment but it didn't quite work. I got an offer through the website http://www.ensembleavectoit.com/?sl=EN a couple of weeks ago and I'll go with that. I'll live with a retired couple and help with out some of the heavy work and pay reduced rent.

If I happen to run across some other opportunity I'll throw in a post here.

Thanks for all the tips!

Hey!

I wil start my master at EPFL in september. I am also looking for accomodation. So all tips are welcome. I am dutch aswell so maybe we could get in touch?

Regards,

Birgit