Banking

In order to open a Swiss bank account, you will need your passport and residence permit. This means that you can't open an account immediately on your arrival, so make sure you have either adequate cash in the form of traveler's cheques or an ATM card from your bank at home.

Paying bills

Bills are paid in Switzerland by means of "Bulletins de versement" -- slips of orange or red paper with the payee, payor, amount due and bank account information. These can be handled  through your bank, if you have an account (mailed in, fed into special machines on the bank premises, or paid online -- ask the teller for help) or also very easily by going to any post office with enough cash to cover the bill. You give the cash to the teller and the money is posted to the account of the person or company on the bill. You will receive a stamped slip verifying payment.

There is a post office on campus, on the Avenue Piccard underneath the Copernic Restaurant.