Basel is an incredible Swiss city, and fall is one of the best times to be there. The Rhine river runs through the city, and is a perfect place for a swim or a ferry trip. Basel has a vibrant cultural scene with more than 40 museums, 25 theaters, operas, and ballets, and multiple large festivals. The “Herbstmesse”, or Autumn Fair, is one of the biggest fairs in Switzerland in October and November with food, stalls, and rides. The “Weihnachtsmarkt”, or Christmas Market is also a longtime tradition during the holiday season. Basel is also an important city for foreign trade and pharmaceutical industries.
Other fun facts:
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Roger Federer was born here! And every time he wins a championship, he is presented with a cow in the Marktplatz…
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You can drink out of the water fountains you see around town!
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Läckerli, a sort of hard gingerbread, was invented in Basel.
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Basel’s namesake and its heraldic animal, is the basilisk.
Culture
UC–FHNW Exchange Program
Payments
I paid rent through xe.com, but there was also an option to pay with a slip that WoVe gives with your contract when you arrive. It is crucial to pay rent in a timely manner, unless you want to pay harsh late fees. I continued to use Xe.com to pay international bills, from city registration fees to splitting costs while traveling with friends. Instead of you giving your account info, you have to enter the recipient’s information, which differs slightly from US accounts. International accounts have IBAN numbers, which function similarly to our routing numbers. Luckily, all European accounts should be pretty straightforward in filling out the correct payment info.