General Information

• Nearest airport Zurich 1 hour
• Luzern city center 12 minutes by public
  transportation (every 20 minutes)
• Nearest supermarket Horw 5 minutes by bus

Accommodation

While studying at IMI, students are accommodated in
single or twin rooms, with a breathtaking view of either
Lake Lucerne, or the Alps.

Students can select among the following
accommodation:

Twin or Single Standard Room

• Room with TV
• Fridge
• Wireless LAN
• Telephone
• Electric kettle (on request)
• Shared bathroom
• Safe

Twin or Single De Luxe Room

• Room with TV
• Fridge
• Telephone
• Wireless LAN
• Electric kettle
• Private bathroom
• Safe

IMI Dress code for culinary students

Professional uniforms are to be worn during kitchen and  practical lessons, as well as during all duties. Students are required to bring their own long sleeved white shirt/blouse, black trousers/skirt and black shoes for either service or as business dress.

The kitchen uniform (with the exception of kitchen shoes) for CMHT students and service uniform (black vest/waistcoat and bow tie) are loaned to students on arrival at IMI and must be returned to IMI, or paid for if lost or damaged, at the end of the semester.

The only exception is for HDCM and BACM students who will be allowed to keep their kitchen uniform which is specially embroidered.

In addition, kitchen knives for Culinary students only will be loaned without any payment, but again must be returned to IMI at the end of the semester.

The Kitchen uniform for both men and women are the same and includes; blue and white hounds tooth trousers; plain long sleeved white jacket; white jacket support; white jacket buttons; white kitchen shoes/clogs; and white scarf.
Hairnets or kitchen hats must be worn at all times during kitchen practical´s and by all students when working on the servery in the main dining hall.

Electricity

Electricity in Switzerland is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Switzerland with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Our power outlets look like the image below. In order to be able to use your electical devices in our country you may have to puchase an international adaptor plug like the one on the right. These are available, for less than CHF 40.- at the electronic devices supermarket in Lucerne main station. Read here about Switzerland powerplugs

Indoor Recreational Facilities

• Table tennis
• Pool table
• Table football
• Fitness room
• Student lounge
• Coffee lounge
• Student kitchen

Excursions and Leisure

Excursions
Professional visits and school excursions are organized on a regular basis. The cost is included in the tuition fees.

Examples of visits: Zurich - Basel - Hotels - Nestlé Food Museum - Trade Fairs - Vineyards - Airport Catering - Cheese Factory - Tourist Centres.

Leisure
International Nights - Theme Nights - Students Bar - BBQs - Disco - In-House Parties - Students Lounge - Concerts, Pubs, Cinemas in Lucerne.

Support Services and Student Counselling

IMI provides a highly personalised approach to its students who originate from more than 40 countries. Lecturers and management are at students' disposal for coaching and counselling. A Student Counsellor is assisting students to overcome any type of difficulty they may encounter, personal or academic.

Miscellaneous

Switzerland's time is +1 GMT.

The weather in Lucerne during summer (June to middle September) is between 25-30°C, but could also be rainy and cold during this time. During winter (beginning of November to end of March) is very cold and windy about -5 to 10° C. Check here the current weather in Switzerland online.

CHF 500.- pocket money per month should be enough if you are living on Campus. Students living in private accommodation should consider rental, heating and food costs in addition to the above.

The school organizes cultural events, such as International Night, each semester. You may wish to bring traditional costumes for such occasions.

Your Money We suggest students open a bank account as soon as they arrive in Switzerland. The School invites staff from the Credit Suisse Bank to explain how to open a bank account during induction week. We encourage students not to bring too much cash or leave a lot of money in their rooms since the school does not take any responsibility for money or expensive goods in the rooms.

Laundry facilities are available for students who live on Campus. Laundry cards have to be collected at Students Accounting against a CHF 20.- safety deposit. Each card can be re-charged at Reception with cash when needed.

A limited number of free parking spaces are available on Campus.

We suggest students to take along:

Notebook with English-language version of Windows 2000, Windows XP or Vista with the Windows Update feature working, WIFI capacity, multimedia (microphone, webcam, audio), Office applications and  updated antivirus software. A Windows-based computer must have a genuine, licensed, Note: Genuine, licensed software must be purchased so that Windows security updates can be installed.

Use a memorystick to backup and move your data

Digital Camera to capture the most important time in your educational life

MP3 player/ iPhone for your own music and some lecturers will provide their lessons in mp3 format.