Do you need a certificate to go scuba diving?

[padiidccdc]

Hi people

I am currently a student at a big college in the us, and I am considering attending one of the SSI Scuba classes offered on campus. They give you a certificate at the end. I believe it is an open water diver certificate but I am unsure of that. To give you an idea, the course is divided into 6 sessions of 4 hours each, followed by a open water dive trip.

Since I am not a united states citizen (I come from Switzerland) I was wondering if the certificate they will hand me at the end of the instruction will be valid internationally?

Also, what is the point to possess such a certificate? I would like to be able to go diving on my own one day, will this certificate help me achieve that goal? Is it required to have a certificate to go scuba diving?

Thank you for your time,


Gili Islands Indonesia