There are 26 cantons within Switzerland. Canton is a federal state of Switzerland, that has its own power and autonomy in certain decisions over federal power (Bern).
1. As an international student, it is vital to know the laws of your canton of stay, concerning education and certain other rules in each part of Switzerland. As an example, canton Fribourg does not allow foreign students who live there to apply for student permit, if they are willing to attend different university outside of Canton Fribourg. In that case, student needs to either apply for university within Fribourg or change canton.
2. More obviously, you always need to know the language differences of each canton. German for Zurich and most other cantons, French for Geneva and Vaud and several others, Italian for Ticino. Don’t get yourself lost in translation!
Lastly, if you are planning to spread the roots in Switzerland and follow the process of naturalization, it’s better to stay within one canton for all period of stay, due to the specificity of immigration policy.
Always feel free to ask us a question via feedback form on the website, regarding which canton is more preferable towards international students.