AFS Switzerland - User contributions [en]

Safety Handbook

2026-08-11T09:43:52Z

David Barquero: /* Public transport */

== Introduction ==
A primary objective of experiential learning programs, such as those offered by AFS, is to help participants learn through observation, question, dialogue, discussion and experience. From experience, AFS staff and volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn is great but it is not necessarily easy. Participants can encounter complex situations along the way and there is the potential for confusion, fear and misunderstanding. If students are left to their own devices, the consequences could be very distressing.

For these reasons, with the help of host families, the local community, AFS contacts and school personnel, AFS has devised a system of program support for all participants, providing a wide range of supportive activities and services. The purpose is to provide a safety net, a consistently supportive environment in which participants can ask questions, obtain advice and help.

AFS cannot supply all the possible answers but through our support systems; we can help to guide participants towards asking appropriate questions. It is not possible to anticipate all possible situations pertaining to individual safety concerns. Many of these issues are specific to individual countries or parts of a single country.

In general, AFS recommends talking with the host family, AFS local committee members and staff from the host school, soon after the student joins the host family, about any of the information in this guidebook and any question students may have about specific personal issues. AFS suggests that students ask their host family about any issue they are concerned or worried about, as the information about the host country prevalent in movies and in media publications may not be accurate for the entire country or the specific area in which the family lives. Within this context, what follows are some topics and general suggestions.

== Safety at home ==
Your host family will probably not know what you are concerned or worried about. Do not hesitate to ask them questions about safety, e.g. Can I go out at night alone? Are there areas I should avoid? Although there are common safety issues in Switzerland, they may still vary from region to region. Ask your host family about their particular situation.

==== General safety questions ====

* What should I do if an emergency occurs? Whom should I call?
* Where do you keep the emergency telephone numbers?
* Do you have first aid equipment? Where is it?
* Do you have a fire extinguisher? Where is it?
* How do you secure the house?
* Do you lock your doors and windows? When do you do that?
* Am I going to have a house key?
* How should I answer the door when I am alone?
* How do I react when a stranger rings the doorbell?

==== Answering the phone ====
If you feel uncertain about answering phone calls especially because you have to answer in a foreign language, ask your family: How do I have to respond when answering the phone? What information should I give? What information should I not give?

== Safety outside the home ==

=== Public transport ===
It is very common to use public transport in Switzerland. Public transport in Switzerland is very reliable and safe.

However, be careful at night. Try to look for compartments with other people in it rather than being alone in a train carriage. It is also advisable to avoid being alone in train stations at night. Ask your host parents about the situation in your region, as they will know best.

Make sure that you always have a valid ticket. If you do not and get caught, you will get a fine of '''100 Swiss Francs (approx. USD 125)'''! Further offenses will result in increasing fines and entry into a database. Ticket inspectors are usually unsympathetic even if you start crying and tell them a moving story of a lost exchange student who does not yet know how the ticket machine works. Ticket inspection can occur on any transit route at any time, even by plainclothes inspectors; it is best to have your ticket ready for inspection and to be cooperative. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''

As there are so many trains and buses in Switzerland, most host students can get overwhelmed at the beginning of their exchange. Every year, a few exchange students get lost while using public transport. For this reason, make sure you have your host family's phone number with you when you start taking trains on your own. Do not be embarrassed to call them when you are lost. They will be able to guide you home safely. Transit timetables are often at regular intervals. Its best to consult local schedules at transit stops as service may differ on weekends and during holidays. When hiking in the mountains, its best to memorize the schedule of chairlifts, funiculars and cable cars. Be aware that most chairlift and cable car services can end before the evening, leaving you stranded on a mountain, with a long hike to get back down.

SBB Transit police and security are generally available at major stations and sometimes do inspections of carriages on certain routes, especially during the evening hours. Do not be alarmed if you see security or police and feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. For general travel questions and transit timetables, it is best to consult the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/apps/sbb-mobile.html mobile app] and the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact.html website]. Additionally, SBB travel centers, located in larger train stations can help you with other issues such as purchasing tickets.

=== Walking ===
Walking to and from places is usually safe. However, there are areas where you should be careful at night. Ask your host family about these specific areas, as they know best which places are safe and which are not. We encourage you to let your host parents know whenever you are concerned or frightened. When going out, inform your host family where you are going and how you can be reached and how and when you intend to get back home. Always be skeptical of strangers approaching you for help. Scams and confidience schemes are becoming increasingly common, especially in big cities. Use common sense and never exchange money with strangers who promise to pay you back. In smaller villages and hiking paths it is common to greet strangers on the street with a "Grüezi" or "Salut".

When walking alone late at night, try to walk in streets that are well lit and that have a lot of people. In general, you should take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations. Additionally, the Swiss Mobility [https://schweizmobil.ch/en/switzerlandmobility-app app] and [https://schweizmobil.ch/en website] can be a useful tool for finding walking, hiking and cycling routes throughout the entire country.

=== Cycling ===
In Switzerland, you will see many people riding their bikes going to school, to work or just for fun. You will very likely have the possibility to borrow a bike from someone. Before you ride it in the streets, ask your host family about traffic regulations in Switzerland. They may be different than in your home country. You must always follow traffic laws regarding cycling and always be courteous to others when riding.

Cycling in traffic can be challenging, especially in cities. We suggest that you ask a host family member to accompany you on your first attempts to conquer the Swiss streets with your bicycle. Make sure that your bike has good brakes and functioning lights. This is very important especially in winter because it can get dark very early. If you ride in the dark without a light, this is not only dangerous but you can also be fined. Be aware of changes in weather; cycling can become more challenging or dangerous in wet weather and in freezing temperatures. Brakes may not function as well in wet weather and roads can become dangerously slippery. AFS Switzerland recommends always wearing a helmet when you ride your bike. More information on cycling rules and regulations can be found at [https://www.ch.ch/en/vehicles-and-traffic/cars-and-other-vehicles/cycling-in-switzerland/#rules-for-e-bikes-electric-bicycles]

=== Motor vehicles ===
'''AFS participants are not allowed to drive cars.''' Do not get into a car with strangers. Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden. '''Participants either driving or hitchhiking will be dismissed from the program and must return home immediately.'''

The blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Switzerland for drivers is 0.5‰, which equals roughly one glass of beer or wine. Do not get into a car if you feel the driver has drunk more than the amount allowed by law.

Please note that in Switzerland it is compulsory to wear seatbelts for all passangers in a car. You should therefore always fasten your seatbelt automatically when entering a car - even if you will only be travelling a short distance.

=== Public places ===
Going to public places and walking around outside is usually very safe. As stated before, you should try to avoid being alone at night in train stations. There are also some other areas you should avoid (e.g. certain areas in Zurich). In general, you are safe if you do what the locals do. Therefore, take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

=== Weather ===
Skiing, hiking and cycling are very popular activities and can be amazing experiences. However, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Weather can change surprisingly fast: in a very short time a blue sky can be replaced by fog, snow or rain depending on the season. Remember, weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable and it is therefore dangerous to take unnecessary risks and get lost. It is recommended to download the MeteoSwiss weather app for your phone: [https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/services-and-publications/service/weather-and-climate-products/meteoswiss-app.html] It is advised to enable and follow the weather alerts for your region and heed the warnings, especially regarding thunderstorms and flooding. Always stay on marked trails and follow any signs regarding trail closures.

When in the mountains, try not to be alone but rather with your host family or with friends. They will know best, where and when you have to be careful. Always have your cell phone with you. Please note: an activity waiver is required for certain outdoor activities.

=== Theft ===
Because Switzerland is generally very safe, this might give you a false sense of security. But theft happens here as it does everywhere in the world; it is wise to be careful:

* Ask your host family, the school contact person or your school mates about the situation in your school and your host community.
* Make sure you always lock your bicycle. Unfortunately, bicycle theft is very common in Switzerland.
* Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
* Remember to double check you have all of your belongings before leaving a train or bus.
* Do not to leave your wallet, money or other valuables unobserved in school. The best thing is not to take things of great value such as jewellery to school at all.

== Authorities and emergency contacts ==
In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport when out in public. Should the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. This is the decision of the individual police officer.

Occasionally, the police may check and question people in the street. If this happens to you, there is nothing to worry about. Show respect and cooperation with authorities, even though you are innocent of any crime and may think that you are being treated unfairly.

If you do not understand what is being said, tell the police and explain that you are an exchange student. Always carry your residence permit with you. This is important not only in the event of being questioned by authorities but also in the unfortunate event of a personal accident.

In any kind of an emergency (accident, crime etc.) the best is to call the police first. Below, you will find the most important emergency numbers (any abuse of these numbers will be punished with a fine):
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Police || 117
|-
| Fire brigade || 118
|-
| Ambulance || 144
|-
|Transit police
|0800 117 117
|-
|AFS Emergency phone
(for use outside of office hours)
|079 358 84 56
|}
If something happens, always call your host family, the local contact person or the AFS office to inform them of the situation. Make sure you always carry the emergency card with the important numbers with you.

In case of a national emergency you should follow the advice of the government or the local authorities. AFS Switzerland will immediately contact the students and host families in order to provide the necessary help. However, Switzerland is a very peaceful country and such a case is unlikely to happen.

== Drugs & alcohol ==

=== Drugs ===
Unfortunately, drugs, especially marijuana, have become common in certain schools. The availability of drugs does not change the fact that they are illegal and dangerous.

The two most important pieces of advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding this issue:

* If someone offers you drugs, say no. AFS has a strict no-tolerance policy regarding cannabis (marijuana) and any other kind of illegal drugs. '''Usage of or involvement with drugs will result in dismissal from the program and immediate return to the home country.'''
* If you are worried that a friend might have a drug problem, talk to an adult you trust. Share your concerns with your host parents, a local AFS volunteer or a teacher.

=== Alcohol ===
According to Swiss law, teenagers, aged 16 and older, are allowed to buy wine and beer but no hard liquor before age 18. There is no specific law that forbids the consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is part of the everyday culture in Switzerland and will probably be offered to you on many occasions. It is typical for Swiss families to have a glass of wine with dinner. Therefore, it is very important that you learn how to deal with these situations.

Despite the liberal approach to alcohol consumption, never forget that alcohol is a drug. For your own safety, '''excessive alcohol consumption is forbidden during the AFS program'''. Under AFS Switzerland rules, excessive alcohol consumption is defined as: '''consuming more than 2 glasses of wine or beer in one sitting'''. At official AFS events, '''alcohol is completely forbidden.'''

Here are some important facts on the negative effects of alcohol:

* Studies have shown that teenagers are more sensitive to alcohol than adults. Additionally, many teenagers tend to overestimate their tolerance to alcohol and think they can handle larger amounts, thus increasing the risk of blackouts and alcohol poisioning.
* Alcohol affects your ability to judge situations adequately. You might do things that you regret afterwards. You can also easily be taken advantage of or even become a victim of crime, e.g. theft, sexual abuse.
* If you drink too much, you cannot control your movements anymore. The risk of accidents increases substantially.
* Excessive consumption can put your health at risk. Alcohol intoxication can be dangerous. Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to vomiting, passing out, blacking out and possibly alcohol poisioning, requiring immidiate medical attention. In the very worst case, alcohol poisioning may result in death.

For your own safety, AFS Switzerland expects you to stick to the '''following rules''':

* If you want to try alcohol, that is fine. A glass of wine or beer at a party or during dinner is okay. But do not over-indulge.
* If you do not want to try alcohol, that is fine also; never let anyone talk you into drinking alcohol.
* Never drink more than two units of alcohol in one sitting (1 unit = a glass of beer or a glass of wine).
* '''No hard alcohol'''. Do not touch vodka or other hard liquor, also when mixed with soft drinks.
* '''Do not drink more than once a week.'''
* Never drink when you have taken medicine (no matter if prescribed or over-the-counter).
* Say no when you do not feel like drinking or if you do not like the taste of alcohol.
* Look out for others: Tell your friends to stop if they are being excessive. If you think that a friend has an alcohol problem, share your concerns with an adult you trust.

Any student who violates the above rules risks '''immediate dismissal from the program and being sent home.''' If you have any doubts or questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to talk to your host family, a local AFS volunteers or a staff member at the AFS office.

== Health & wellness ==

=== Relationships and sex ===
Different societies have very different ideas about what is considered acceptable for teenagers when it comes to friendships, relationships and sex. Here are some examples of what is considered acceptable by most Swiss people:

* It is common that children and teenagers spend time together at each other's homes in their rooms playing, talking or listening to music.
* Friendships between women and men are very common. Having a date with a man or woman does not necessarily mean that he or she is interested in sex.
* Holding hands with people of the opposite sex is quite common.
* It is acceptable to show affection to a person of the opposite sex in public.
* Sex before marriage is accepted by most Swiss people. Therefore, many couples live together without being married and many parents accept overnight visits by their teenage children's boyfriend or girlfriend.
* Sex education is a compulsory subject in Swiss schools, including information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
* Homosexuality is legal and widely accepted. Same-sex couples have (almost) the same rights as heterosexual couples. In cities moreso than in villages, it is not unusual to see same-sex couples holding hands and showing affection in public.

=== HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ===
AIDS means “Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome“. A cure for this illness has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is transmitted by sexual contact only. HIV is NOT transmitted by contact such as drinking or eating from somebody else's glass or plate, touching, kissing etc. Sexually active participants should use condoms. Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, consistent and correct use of condoms reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The contraceptive pill does NOT protect against HIV or other STDs. For further information, there are many associations in Switzerland that can give you advice. Here are the most important ones with many branches all over Switzerland:

Aids-Hilfe Schweiz, Tel. 044 447 11 11

[https://aids.ch/ aids.ch], aids@aids.ch

Fondation Profa, https://www.profa.ch/

https://www.jugend-sexuelle-gesundheit.ch/

Checkpoint Zürich https://www.cpzh.ch/en/

== Sexual harassment ==
Cultures differ in their views of appropriate sexual behaviour and practices of young people. Often clarification of attitudes may be necessary and here again the advice of people you have come to know and trust is very valuable. Knowledge about the people you socialize with is important and this is acquired best through immersing yourself into your host culture. Equally important are your own values and beliefs regarding your behaviour. Do not compromise them, especially not regarding your sexual behaviour. Have the courage to say no at any time!

Especially at the beginning of your exchange, you may be unsure how to interpret certain situations. You may ask yourself if you are being sexually harassed or if a particular person's behaviour would simply be considered friendly by Swiss standards. Trust your own instinct and feelings. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, it is important that you take your feelings seriously and share them with your host siblings/ parents and friends. In many cases, they will be able to help you understand if someone's behaviour is appropriate or not and give you useful advice. You can also turn to teachers at school, local AFS volunteers or the AFS staff at the office for advice or help.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment can happen in any country. Especially young women are subject to harassment, e.g. if a man should whistle after you, you should avoid eye contact with him. If a car pulls up beside you, do not get in. If you realize that someone is following you, try to go to a public place (e.g. shop, restaurant) and ask someone for help. If you experience a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, the most important thing is to share it with an adult you trust. Rest assured that AFS volunteers and staff will take you seriously, do not be embarrassed or afraid!

== Other important issues ==

=== Laws in Switzerland ===
AFS students are subject to the law of the host country. Neither AFS nor the national government of the students' home country has the ability to protect the student from punishment with respect to drugs, thefts and other illegal offences. We recommend reading the foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if there are important differences between the laws in your home country and Switzerland.

=== Liability insurance ===
AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties. If you break something or cause injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have an insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS.

If you do not yet have liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

=== Uninsured activities ===
Some activites are excluded from AFS's insurance. These activities include but are not limited to: hang gliding, paragliding, parachuting, piloting and acting as the crew in an aircraft. You are not allowed to conduct any of these activites unless you have the explicit permission of AFS Switzerland.

=== Weapons ===
Civilians are generally prohibited from carrying firearms in public unless they have a special licence. However, any Swiss man who is found eligible has to complete mandatory military or civilian service. Most military conscripts have occasional training sessions until they have fulfilled their duty around the age of 30. Between training sessions, they have the option keep their service rifle at home. Do not be afraid if you see a weapon in your host family‘s cupboard or if you see soldiers with their service rifles in public. It is also possible that you will see people in civilian clothes, with a military service rifle, on their way to the compulsory annual shooting practice or to shooting competitions. In rural areas, shooting at ranges and hunting are common activities and some walking trails may be temporarily closed off as a precaution.

== Conclusion ==
The best advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding issues of personal safety is the following:

* Learn the language as quickly as possible in order to be able to understand what is going on around you.
* Get to know your host culture well through questions, dialogue and discussion with your host family, peers, AFS local contacts, AFS camp leaders etc.
* Take any concerns from your host family and school seriously and follow their advice.
* And remember: express your concerns!

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2026-08-11T09:35:28Z

David Barquero: /* Obtaining permission */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You stay with adult relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland over 18 years old (≠exchange students).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (sui.support@afs.org) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

Your exchange experience

2026-08-11T09:28:58Z

David Barquero: /* Language course for year students */

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course Flying Teachers || German speaking part of Switzerland: About 4 months in small groups
|-
|Online Language Course Busuu
|German speaking part of Switzerland: mandatory A2-Cerificate after 3 months of arrival, all by yourself
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and is mandatory for all exchange students.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
|Federal Palace
|We will visit the Federal Palace in Bern (mandatory)
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers and is mandatory for all exchange students.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
|Federal Palace
|We will visit the Federal Palace (mandatory).
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== German language course for year students ===
Year-program students below B1 German level will attend a language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. The courses are held twice per week, in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

Additionally, we will grant a Busuu account.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse mandatory books (excluding dictionaries, exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private) ===
Your blog or Social Media account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Social Media account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Your exchange experience

2026-08-11T09:16:13Z

David Barquero: /* Timeline - Year students */

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course Flying Teachers || German speaking part of Switzerland: About 4 months in small groups
|-
|Online Language Course Busuu
|German speaking part of Switzerland: mandatory A2-Cerificate after 3 months of arrival, all by yourself
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and is mandatory for all exchange students.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
|Federal Palace
|We will visit the Federal Palace in Bern (mandatory)
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers and is mandatory for all exchange students.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
|Federal Palace
|We will visit the Federal Palace (mandatory).
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers and mandatory.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year-program students will attend an intensive language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Preparing for your exchange

2026-08-11T09:07:25Z

David Barquero: /* Approximate costs of consumer goods */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Units before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you might be called into the AFS Switzerland office to discuss potential consequences.

Your access to Busuu remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance. Please be aware that '''you or your host family will need to submit the claim yourself'''. Enter the OneAFS-platform and access with your password.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.). Perhaps you should take along many small gifts, since you will be meeting new people all the time.

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language learning with Busuu, which starts approx. 3 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Online language learning with Flying Teachers, which starts right after your arrival in Switzerland (German speaking part of Switzerland) and lasts about for four months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library or former students or siblings. If you need to buy additional, mandatory books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 5 - 6
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 15 - 25
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Preparing for your exchange

2026-08-11T08:57:44Z

David Barquero: /* What to pack */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Units before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you might be called into the AFS Switzerland office to discuss potential consequences.

Your access to Busuu remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance. Please be aware that '''you or your host family will need to submit the claim yourself'''. Enter the OneAFS-platform and access with your password.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.). Perhaps you should take along many small gifts, since you will be meeting new people all the time.

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language learning with Busuu, which starts approx. 3 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Online language learning with Flying Teachers, which starts right after your arrival in Switzerland (German speaking part of Switzerland) and lasts about for four months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library or former students or siblings. If you need to buy additional, mandatory books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Preparing for your exchange

2026-08-11T08:53:04Z

David Barquero: /* Insurance: Medical Claim Module */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Units before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you might be called into the AFS Switzerland office to discuss potential consequences.

Your access to Busuu remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance. Please be aware that '''you or your host family will need to submit the claim yourself'''. Enter the OneAFS-platform and access with your password.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.)

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library of the local AFS chapter. If you need to buy additional books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Preparing for your exchange

2026-08-11T08:52:01Z

David Barquero: /* Online language learning */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Units before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you might be called into the AFS Switzerland office to discuss potential consequences.

Your access to Busuu remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.)

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library of the local AFS chapter. If you need to buy additional books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Switzerland

2026-08-11T08:48:14Z

David Barquero: /* Geography */

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.
Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience. Located in the northern hemisphere, Switzerland experiences a great variance in day length and seasonal temperature changes. During the late autumn and winter months, the sun often rises after 07:00, with sunset occuring before 17:00. Around the summer solstice in June, the sunrise can be as early at 05:30, with sunset as late as 21:30. Alpine areas may experience longer periods of darkness during dawn and dusk as the mountainous topography can block the sun in the morning and evening. As with most European countries, Switzerland observes summer time (daylight savings time) between late March and late October.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

'''Thunderstorms & Safety'''

As mentioned in the Summer section, hot afternoons can sometimes lead to sudden and intense evening thunderstorms. To ensure your safety when a storm rolls in, please follow these essential guidelines:

* '''Seek shelter immediately:''' Head inside a permanent, fully enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle.

* '''Avoid open water:''' Stay away from lakes, rivers, and outdoor swimming pools. If you are swimming or boating, get to shore immediately.

* '''Avoid wide open spaces:''' Do not stay in sports fields, open meadows, or elevated areas where you might become the highest point.

* '''Stay away from tall structures:''' Never seek shelter under trees, and keep your distance from electricity pylons, towers, and masts.

💡 '''Pro-Tip for Students:''' Download the free '''MeteoSwiss''' app on your phone. It provides highly accurate, real-time weather hazard alerts and radar maps for your specific location in Switzerland.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
[[File:Map of Language areas of Switzerland.png|thumb|Map of Language areas of Switzerland]]
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 100''' (approximately '''USD 125'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

AFS Switzerland

2026-08-11T08:17:48Z

David Barquero: /* AFS emergency phone */

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' sui.support@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''15 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday – Wednesday and Friday, and 14:00 . 17:00 on Thursday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>'''AFS emergency phone'''</big>

'''<big>079 358 84 56</big>'''

AFS Switzerland

2026-08-11T08:12:56Z

David Barquero: /* National office */

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' sui.support@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''15 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>

Preparing for your exchange

2026-08-11T07:42:24Z

David Barquero: /* Insurance */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Unts before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you will be charged USD 200.

Your access to the online language course remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.)

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library of the local AFS chapter. If you need to buy additional books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-14T11:05:21Z

David Barquero:

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You stay with adult relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland over 18 years old (≠exchange students).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-14T09:47:07Z

David Barquero: /* How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You stay with adult relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland over 18 years old (≠exchange students).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-14T09:42:02Z

David Barquero:

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You stay with adult relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland over 18 years old (≠exchange students).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-14T09:30:28Z

David Barquero: /* General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-11T12:31:58Z

David Barquero: /* 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

'''Important:'''

# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* You submit the Travel Waiver Application at least three weeks in advance.
* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent via email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-08-11T10:21:18Z

David Barquero: /* General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: */ spell check

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver''', in addition to permission from your natural parents.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent via email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland

2025-08-11T07:49:55Z

David Barquero: Changed protection settings for "AFS Switzerland": High traffic page ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' hallo@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''15 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>

Switzerland

2025-08-08T13:18:52Z

David Barquero: /* Climate */

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.
Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience. Located in the northern hemisphere, Switzerland experiences a great variance in day length and seasonal temperature changes. During the late autumn and winter months, the sun often rises after 07:00, with sunset occuring before 17:00. Around the summer solstice in June, the sunrise can be as early at 05:30, with sunset as late as 21:30. Alpine areas may experience longer periods of darkness during dawn and dusk as the mountainous topography can block the sun in the morning and evening. As with most European countries, Switzerland observes summer time (daylight savings time) between late March and late October.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
[[File:Map of Language areas of Switzerland.png|thumb|Map of Language areas of Switzerland]]
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 90''' (approximately '''USD 110'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host families have a landline and the family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile
phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family
and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

Preparing for your exchange

2025-08-08T12:46:18Z

David Barquero: /* Online language learning */

== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive access to an online language program called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Unts before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you will be charged USD 200.

Your access to the online language course remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.)

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library of the local AFS chapter. If you need to buy additional books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Switzerland

2025-08-08T10:33:52Z

David Barquero: /* Climate */

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.
Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience. Located in the northern hemisphere, Switzerland experiences a great variance in day length and seasonal temperature changes. During the late autumn and winter months, the sun often rises after 07:00, with sunset occuring before 17:00. Around the summer solstice in June, the sunrise can be as early at 05:30, with sunset as late as 21:30. Alpine areas may experience longer periods of darkness during dawn and dusk as the mountainous topography can block the sun in the morning and evening.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
[[File:Map of Language areas of Switzerland.png|thumb|Map of Language areas of Switzerland]]
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 90''' (approximately '''USD 110'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host families have a landline and the family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile
phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family
and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

Switzerland

2025-08-08T09:49:00Z

David Barquero:

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
[[File:Map of Language areas of Switzerland.png|thumb|Map of Language areas of Switzerland]]
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 90''' (approximately '''USD 110'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host families have a landline and the family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile
phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family
and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

File:Map of Language areas of Switzerland.png

2025-08-08T09:48:33Z

David Barquero:

Map of Language areas of Switzerland

Safety Handbook

2025-08-08T07:18:10Z

David Barquero: Protected "Safety Handbook" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

== Introduction ==
A primary objective of experiential learning programs, such as those offered by AFS, is to help participants learn through observation, question, dialogue, discussion and experience. From experience, AFS staff and volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn is great but it is not necessarily easy. Participants can encounter complex situations along the way and there is the potential for confusion, fear and misunderstanding. If students are left to their own devices, the consequences could be very distressing.

For these reasons, with the help of host families, the local community, AFS contacts and school personnel, AFS has devised a system of program support for all participants, providing a wide range of supportive activities and services. The purpose is to provide a safety net, a consistently supportive environment in which participants can ask questions, obtain advice and help.

AFS cannot supply all the possible answers but through our support systems; we can help to guide participants towards asking appropriate questions. It is not possible to anticipate all possible situations pertaining to individual safety concerns. Many of these issues are specific to individual countries or parts of a single country.

In general, AFS recommends talking with the host family, AFS local committee members and staff from the host school, soon after the student joins the host family, about any of the information in this guidebook and any question students may have about specific personal issues. AFS suggests that students ask their host family about any issue they are concerned or worried about, as the information about the host country prevalent in movies and in media publications may not be accurate for the entire country or the specific area in which the family lives. Within this context, what follows are some topics and general suggestions.

== Safety at home ==
Your host family will probably not know what you are concerned or worried about. Do not hesitate to ask them questions about safety, e.g. Can I go out at night alone? Are there areas I should avoid? Although there are common safety issues in Switzerland, they may still vary from region to region. Ask your host family about their particular situation.

==== General safety questions ====

* What should I do if an emergency occurs? Whom should I call?
* Where do you keep the emergency telephone numbers?
* Do you have first aid equipment? Where is it?
* Do you have a fire extinguisher? Where is it?
* How do you secure the house?
* Do you lock your doors and windows? When do you do that?
* Am I going to have a house key?
* How should I answer the door when I am alone?
* How do I react when a stranger rings the doorbell?

==== Answering the phone ====
If you feel uncertain about answering phone calls especially because you have to answer in a foreign language, ask your family: How do I have to respond when answering the phone? What information should I give? What information should I not give?

== Safety outside the home ==

=== Public transport ===
It is very common to use public transport in Switzerland. Public transport in Switzerland is very reliable and safe.

However, be careful at night. Try to look for compartments with other people in it rather than being alone in a train carriage. It is also advisable to avoid being alone in train stations at night. Ask your host parents about the situation in your region, as they will know best.

Make sure that you always have a valid ticket. If you do not and get caught, you will get a fine of '''90 Swiss Francs (approx. USD 110)'''! Further offenses will result in increasing fines and entry into a database. Ticket inspectors are usually unsympathetic even if you start crying and tell them a moving story of a lost exchange student who does not yet know how the ticket machine works. Ticket inspection can occur on any transit route at any time, even by plainclothes inspectors; it is best to have your ticket ready for inspection and to be cooperative. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''

As there are so many trains and buses in Switzerland, most host students can get overwhelmed at the beginning of their exchange. Every year, a few exchange students get lost while using public transport. For this reason, make sure you have your host family's phone number with you when you start taking trains on your own. Do not be embarrassed to call them when you are lost. They will be able to guide you home safely. Transit timetables are often at regular intervals. Its best to consult local schedules at transit stops as service may differ on weekends and during holidays. When hiking in the mountains, its best to memorize the schedule of chairlifts, funiculars and cable cars. Be aware that most chairlift and cable car services can end before the evening, leaving you stranded on a mountain, with a long hike to get back down.

SBB Transit police and security are generally available at major stations and sometimes do inspections of carriages on certain routes, especially during the evening hours. Do not be alarmed if you see security or police and feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. For general travel questions and transit timetables, it is best to consult the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/apps/sbb-mobile.html mobile app] and the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact.html website]. Additionally, SBB travel centers, located in larger train stations can help you with other issues such as purchasing tickets.

=== Walking ===
Walking to and from places is usually safe. However, there are areas where you should be careful at night. Ask your host family about these specific areas, as they know best which places are safe and which are not. We encourage you to let your host parents know whenever you are concerned or frightened. When going out, inform your host family where you are going and how you can be reached and how and when you intend to get back home. Always be skeptical of strangers approaching you for help. Scams and confidience schemes are becoming increasingly common, especially in big cities. Use common sense and never exchange money with strangers who promise to pay you back. In smaller villages and hiking paths it is common to greet strangers on the street with a "Grüezi" or "Salut".

When walking alone late at night, try to walk in streets that are well lit and that have a lot of people. In general, you should take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations. Additionally, the Swiss Mobility [https://schweizmobil.ch/en/switzerlandmobility-app app] and [https://schweizmobil.ch/en website] can be a useful tool for finding walking, hiking and cycling routes throughout the entire country.

=== Cycling ===
In Switzerland, you will see many people riding their bikes going to school, to work or just for fun. You will very likely have the possibility to borrow a bike from someone. Before you ride it in the streets, ask your host family about traffic regulations in Switzerland. They may be different than in your home country. You must always follow traffic laws regarding cycling and always be courteous to others when riding.

Cycling in traffic can be challenging, especially in cities. We suggest that you ask a host family member to accompany you on your first attempts to conquer the Swiss streets with your bicycle. Make sure that your bike has good brakes and functioning lights. This is very important especially in winter because it can get dark very early. If you ride in the dark without a light, this is not only dangerous but you can also be fined. Be aware of changes in weather; cycling can become more challenging or dangerous in wet weather and in freezing temperatures. Brakes may not function as well in wet weather and roads can become dangerously slippery. AFS Switzerland recommends always wearing a helmet when you ride your bike. More information on cycling rules and regulations can be found at [https://www.ch.ch/en/vehicles-and-traffic/cars-and-other-vehicles/cycling-in-switzerland/#rules-for-e-bikes-electric-bicycles]

=== Motor vehicles ===
'''AFS participants are not allowed to drive cars.''' Do not get into a car with strangers. Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden. '''Participants either driving or hitchhiking will be dismissed from the program and must return home immediately.'''

The blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Switzerland for drivers is 0.5‰, which equals roughly one glass of beer or wine. Do not get into a car if you feel the driver has drunk more than the amount allowed by law.

Please note that in Switzerland it is compulsory to wear seatbelts for all passangers in a car. You should therefore always fasten your seatbelt automatically when entering a car - even if you will only be travelling a short distance.

=== Public places ===
Going to public places and walking around outside is usually very safe. As stated before, you should try to avoid being alone at night in train stations. There are also some other areas you should avoid (e.g. certain areas in Zurich). In general, you are safe if you do what the locals do. Therefore, take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

=== Weather ===
Skiing, hiking and cycling are very popular activities and can be amazing experiences. However, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Weather can change surprisingly fast: in a very short time a blue sky can be replaced by fog, snow or rain depending on the season. Remember, weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable and it is therefore dangerous to take unnecessary risks and get lost. It is recommended to download the MeteoSwiss weather app for your phone: [https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/services-and-publications/service/weather-and-climate-products/meteoswiss-app.html] It is advised to enable and follow the weather alerts for your region and heed the warnings, especially regarding thunderstorms and flooding. Always stay on marked trails and follow any signs regarding trail closures.

When in the mountains, try not to be alone but rather with your host family or with friends. They will know best, where and when you have to be careful. Always have your cell phone with you. Please note: an activity waiver is required for certain outdoor activities.

=== Theft ===
Because Switzerland is generally very safe, this might give you a false sense of security. But theft happens here as it does everywhere in the world; it is wise to be careful:

* Ask your host family, the school contact person or your school mates about the situation in your school and your host community.
* Make sure you always lock your bicycle. Unfortunately, bicycle theft is very common in Switzerland.
* Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
* Remember to double check you have all of your belongings before leaving a train or bus.
* Do not to leave your wallet, money or other valuables unobserved in school. The best thing is not to take things of great value such as jewellery to school at all.

== Authorities and emergency contacts ==
In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport when out in public. Should the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. This is the decision of the individual police officer.

Occasionally, the police may check and question people in the street. If this happens to you, there is nothing to worry about. Show respect and cooperation with authorities, even though you are innocent of any crime and may think that you are being treated unfairly.

If you do not understand what is being said, tell the police and explain that you are an exchange student. Always carry your residence permit with you. This is important not only in the event of being questioned by authorities but also in the unfortunate event of a personal accident.

In any kind of an emergency (accident, crime etc.) the best is to call the police first. Below, you will find the most important emergency numbers (any abuse of these numbers will be punished with a fine):
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Police || 117
|-
| Fire brigade || 118
|-
| Ambulance || 144
|-
|Transit police
|0800 117 117
|-
|AFS Emergency phone
(for use outside of office hours)
|079 358 84 56
|}
If something happens, always call your host family, the local contact person or the AFS office to inform them of the situation. Make sure you always carry the emergency card with the important numbers with you.

In case of a national emergency you should follow the advice of the government or the local authorities. AFS Switzerland will immediately contact the students and host families in order to provide the necessary help. However, Switzerland is a very peaceful country and such a case is unlikely to happen.

== Drugs & alcohol ==

=== Drugs ===
Unfortunately, drugs, especially marijuana, have become common in certain schools. The availability of drugs does not change the fact that they are illegal and dangerous.

The two most important pieces of advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding this issue:

* If someone offers you drugs, say no. AFS has a strict no-tolerance policy regarding cannabis (marijuana) and any other kind of illegal drugs. '''Usage of or involvement with drugs will result in dismissal from the program and immediate return to the home country.'''
* If you are worried that a friend might have a drug problem, talk to an adult you trust. Share your concerns with your host parents, a local AFS volunteer or a teacher.

=== Alcohol ===
According to Swiss law, teenagers, aged 16 and older, are allowed to buy wine and beer but no hard liquor before age 18. There is no specific law that forbids the consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is part of the everyday culture in Switzerland and will probably be offered to you on many occasions. It is typical for Swiss families to have a glass of wine with dinner. Therefore, it is very important that you learn how to deal with these situations.

Despite the liberal approach to alcohol consumption, never forget that alcohol is a drug. For your own safety, '''excessive alcohol consumption is forbidden during the AFS program'''. Under AFS Switzerland rules, excessive alcohol consumption is defined as: '''consuming more than 2 glasses of wine or beer in one sitting'''. At official AFS events, '''alcohol is completely forbidden.'''

Here are some important facts on the negative effects of alcohol:

* Studies have shown that teenagers are more sensitive to alcohol than adults. Additionally, many teenagers tend to overestimate their tolerance to alcohol and think they can handle larger amounts, thus increasing the risk of blackouts and alcohol poisioning.
* Alcohol affects your ability to judge situations adequately. You might do things that you regret afterwards. You can also easily be taken advantage of or even become a victim of crime, e.g. theft, sexual abuse.
* If you drink too much, you cannot control your movements anymore. The risk of accidents increases substantially.
* Excessive consumption can put your health at risk. Alcohol intoxication can be dangerous. Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to vomiting, passing out, blacking out and possibly alcohol poisioning, requiring immidiate medical attention. In the very worst case, alcohol poisioning may result in death.

For your own safety, AFS Switzerland expects you to stick to the '''following rules''':

* If you want to try alcohol, that is fine. A glass of wine or beer at a party or during dinner is okay. But do not over-indulge.
* If you do not want to try alcohol, that is fine also; never let anyone talk you into drinking alcohol.
* Never drink more than two units of alcohol in one sitting (1 unit = a glass of beer or a glass of wine).
* '''No hard alcohol'''. Do not touch vodka or other hard liquor, also when mixed with soft drinks.
* '''Do not drink more than once a week.'''
* Never drink when you have taken medicine (no matter if prescribed or over-the-counter).
* Say no when you do not feel like drinking or if you do not like the taste of alcohol.
* Look out for others: Tell your friends to stop if they are being excessive. If you think that a friend has an alcohol problem, share your concerns with an adult you trust.

Any student who violates the above rules risks '''immediate dismissal from the program and being sent home.''' If you have any doubts or questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to talk to your host family, a local AFS volunteers or a staff member at the AFS office.

== Health & wellness ==

=== Relationships and sex ===
Different societies have very different ideas about what is considered acceptable for teenagers when it comes to friendships, relationships and sex. Here are some examples of what is considered acceptable by most Swiss people:

* It is common that children and teenagers spend time together at each other's homes in their rooms playing, talking or listening to music.
* Friendships between women and men are very common. Having a date with a man or woman does not necessarily mean that he or she is interested in sex.
* Holding hands with people of the opposite sex is quite common.
* It is acceptable to show affection to a person of the opposite sex in public.
* Sex before marriage is accepted by most Swiss people. Therefore, many couples live together without being married and many parents accept overnight visits by their teenage children's boyfriend or girlfriend.
* Sex education is a compulsory subject in Swiss schools, including information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
* Homosexuality is legal and widely accepted. Same-sex couples have (almost) the same rights as heterosexual couples. In cities moreso than in villages, it is not unusual to see same-sex couples holding hands and showing affection in public.

=== HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ===
AIDS means “Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome“. A cure for this illness has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is transmitted by sexual contact only. HIV is NOT transmitted by contact such as drinking or eating from somebody else's glass or plate, touching, kissing etc. Sexually active participants should use condoms. Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, consistent and correct use of condoms reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The contraceptive pill does NOT protect against HIV or other STDs. For further information, there are many associations in Switzerland that can give you advice. Here are the most important ones with many branches all over Switzerland:

Aids-Hilfe Schweiz, Tel. 044 447 11 11

[https://aids.ch/ aids.ch], aids@aids.ch

Fondation Profa, https://www.profa.ch/

https://www.jugend-sexuelle-gesundheit.ch/

Checkpoint Zürich https://www.cpzh.ch/en/

== Sexual harassment ==
Cultures differ in their views of appropriate sexual behaviour and practices of young people. Often clarification of attitudes may be necessary and here again the advice of people you have come to know and trust is very valuable. Knowledge about the people you socialize with is important and this is acquired best through immersing yourself into your host culture. Equally important are your own values and beliefs regarding your behaviour. Do not compromise them, especially not regarding your sexual behaviour. Have the courage to say no at any time!

Especially at the beginning of your exchange, you may be unsure how to interpret certain situations. You may ask yourself if you are being sexually harassed or if a particular person's behaviour would simply be considered friendly by Swiss standards. Trust your own instinct and feelings. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, it is important that you take your feelings seriously and share them with your host siblings/ parents and friends. In many cases, they will be able to help you understand if someone's behaviour is appropriate or not and give you useful advice. You can also turn to teachers at school, local AFS volunteers or the AFS staff at the office for advice or help.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment can happen in any country. Especially young women are subject to harassment, e.g. if a man should whistle after you, you should avoid eye contact with him. If a car pulls up beside you, do not get in. If you realize that someone is following you, try to go to a public place (e.g. shop, restaurant) and ask someone for help. If you experience a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, the most important thing is to share it with an adult you trust. Rest assured that AFS volunteers and staff will take you seriously, do not be embarrassed or afraid!

== Other important issues ==

=== Laws in Switzerland ===
AFS students are subject to the law of the host country. Neither AFS nor the national government of the students' home country has the ability to protect the student from punishment with respect to drugs, thefts and other illegal offences. We recommend reading the foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if there are important differences between the laws in your home country and Switzerland.

=== Liability insurance ===
AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties. If you break something or cause injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have an insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS.

If you do not yet have liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

=== Uninsured activities ===
Some activites are excluded from AFS's insurance. These activities include but are not limited to: hang gliding, paragliding, parachuting, piloting and acting as the crew in an aircraft. You are not allowed to conduct any of these activites unless you have the explicit permission of AFS Switzerland.

=== Weapons ===
Civilians are generally prohibited from carrying firearms in public unless they have a special licence. However, any Swiss man who is found eligible has to complete mandatory military or civilian service. Most military conscripts have occasional training sessions until they have fulfilled their duty around the age of 30. Between training sessions, they have the option keep their service rifle at home. Do not be afraid if you see a weapon in your host family‘s cupboard or if you see soldiers with their service rifles in public. It is also possible that you will see people in civilian clothes, with a military service rifle, on their way to the compulsory annual shooting practice or to shooting competitions. In rural areas, shooting at ranges and hunting are common activities and some walking trails may be temporarily closed off as a precaution.

== Conclusion ==
The best advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding issues of personal safety is the following:

* Learn the language as quickly as possible in order to be able to understand what is going on around you.
* Get to know your host culture well through questions, dialogue and discussion with your host family, peers, AFS local contacts, AFS camp leaders etc.
* Take any concerns from your host family and school seriously and follow their advice.
* And remember: express your concerns!

AFS Switzerland travel rules

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== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver''', in addition to permission from your natural parents.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent vua email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Rules & Policies

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Rules are important to ensure that the exchange students in Switzerland have a safe stay and to help them adjust to their Swiss family and school life.

You are expected to follow the rules of your host family and of your host school. To them, their rules might seem natural and self-evident but not to you. It is therefore important that you get to know the rules through questions and dialogue with host family members, teachers, classmates and AFS volunteers. Such discussions are not only important to avoid trouble, they are also a very good opportunity to learn a lot about the values and the beliefs in your host culture.

Furthermore, you have to respect the rules of AFS Switzerland. Students who violate any of these rules can be excluded from the program and sent home. It is therefore very important that you understand the rules and know what is expected from you.

== Rules of AFS Switzerland ==
The rules will be discussed during the orientation camp in Switzerland, so you should seize the opportunity to ask questions if something is unclear. After the discussion, you will be asked to sign the rules to confirm that you have understood and will respect them.

* Respect the rules and guidelines from the host family and school.
* Maintain open and respectful communication with the host family.
* Actively participate in both school and host family life.
* Attend all classes regularly and be punctual, this includes the Flying Teachers courses and DaZ* (in some schools).
* Actively engage in academic activities and contribute to classroom participation.
* Commit to language progress and actively work towards improving your proficiency, achieving the required levels in the Busuu app and the Flying Teachers course.
* Respect the laws in Switzerland.
* '''Driving motor vehicles, hitchhiking and the consumption of drugs are strictly prohibited.'''
* '''Excessive alcohol consumption is forbidden.''' '''Hard liquor is not allowed while on the program.''' Never drink more than 2 glasses of beer or wine. Read and review the information on alcohol in the [[Safety Handbook#Drugs & alcohol|Safety Handbook]] carefully.
* It is forbidden to organize parties where alcohol or drugs are present.
* It is forbidden to organize parties in rented locations (scout's homes, etc.)
* It is forbidden to enter into or sign contracts during your stay in Switzerland (such as work contracts, mobile phone plans, rental agreements etc.).
** Exception: You are allowed to sign a contract in order to open a bank account.
* '''Follow the travel rules and the rules for visits from your home country''' as explained in the section on [[AFS Switzerland travel rules|travel rules]]. '''Independent trips and visits from home must not interfere with your adjustment process, your obligations at school and the plans of your host family.'''

Preparing for your exchange

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== Contacting your host family ==

You will receive the information about your host family from AFS in your country. As soon as you have it, you should contact the host family. They are just as excited to get to know you as you are to get to know them. This first contact is very important because it is the first link to your Swiss family. It has a very practical side to it, too: Ask your host family what you really need to bring along and what you might borrow from them.

== Online language learning ==
All year program participants receive acces to an online language course called «Busuu». At the same time as you receive this welcome booklet you should get an E-Mail with your account information, please also check your Spam folder. The aim is to complete 12 Untis before arrival and finish all 16 Units 3 months after arrival. If you do not reach the requested Units in time, you will be charged USD 200.

Your access to the online language course remains active for 6 months. This way, you can continue to use it during the first few months of your exchange. We encourage you to use it on a regular basis. The language will be a major factor in your integration. Experience shows that students who learn the language quickly have fewer difficulties during the exchange.

== Visa and travel ==
The AFS office in your home country organizes the travel arrangements and sends you instructions for the visa application. If any questions arise, please do not hesitate to contact the office in your home country.

== Insurance ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will benefit from a medical insurance which covers medical costs for accidents and illnesses. Your national AFS organization can provide more information about this insurance.

All other types of insurance – such as liability or theft insurance – are your own responsibility. It is important that you and your parents discuss what you need and take out the necessary insurance policies before your program starts.

=== Liability insurance ===
'''AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties.''' If you break something or cause an injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS Switzerland.

If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

== Recommended vaccinations ==
There are no compulsory vaccinations in Switzerland. However, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health highly recommends a number of vaccinations. The following are included in the Swiss vaccination schedule:

Diphtheria • Tetanus • Pertussis • Polio • Haemophilus influenzae Typ B • Hepatitis B • Pneumococcus • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Human papilloma virus HPV • Varicella • Meningococcus • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

We highly recommend you to check your vaccinations with your doctor in your home country with regards to the Swiss vaccination schedule.

== What to pack ==
Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and
discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry
your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one
suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you
might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

* Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

* Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

* Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

* Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

* Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

* Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

* Special gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

* Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

* Mobile phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.

* Gifts: A small gift for your host family is a very nice gesture. Most Swiss families appreciate little things with symbolic value rather than expensive gifts. They especially like things that tell them something about you and where you are from (e.g. pictures of your home and your family, a thank-you-note from your parents, typical recipes, a traditional product of your country etc.)

* Credit or debit card and passport

== Managing money abroad ==
It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. Switzerland can be an expensive place and you
will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis
for a discussion with your parents:

=== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ===
To make a budget, it is not only important that you know what you will have to pay but also what you won't have to pay during your exchange. AFS Switzerland covers the costs of the following:

* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.
* Half-Fare Travel card that allows you to use public transportation at half-price rates. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
* Costs for public transportation to school and to AFS camps.
* School books can either be borrowed from the school or the library of the local AFS chapter. If you need to buy additional books, these will be reimbursed at the end of the exchange as long as they are in a good condition and can be used again (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books).

In many cases, your host family will cover costs these in advance and then request a refund from AFS. '''It is very important that you keep all receipts. AFS Switzerland can only reimburse amounts for which you present a receipt.'''

=== Expenses paid by the participant ===
In order to immerse yourself into your host culture, it is important that you have enough pocket money to participate in activities either organized by your host school, by your host family or by your Swiss friends.

If you come from a wealthy family, you should know that the Swiss tend to be modest in their appearance rather than flaunting their wealth. If you have more money than your host siblings or your classmates, this may cause tension. Find out what your siblings and classmates can afford and be considerate of how you spend your money. Your Swiss family will have great respect for you if you prove that you spend your money wisely but they will find it abhorrent if you spend money on things they perceive as useless or unnecessary.

How much pocket money you will need depends on several factors: people have different needs and standards and it also depends on where you live (cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and villages) and on your host school. It is thus impossible to state an exact amount for all exchange students. We can generalize a bit and provide a realistic range:

==== Pocket money – CHF 200-250 per month ====
For expenses such as leisure activities, short trips, clothes, hygiene, mobile phone bills etc. Once you arrive, try to find out how much teenagers your age spend and on what. You might already know that Switzerland is a rather expensive country. But you can save a lot of money if you talk to the people around you and learn about „money traps“. (See also chapter '''Money Traps'''.)

==== Excursions and school camps – CHF 250-800 for the whole exchange ====
This depends very much on the school you will attend. Many schools organize excursions, sometimes even outside Switzerland. Some of them are optional, some compulsory. The costs have to be covered by the students themselves. Exchange students are generally expected to participate. We highly recommend you seize this opportunity if given the chance. It is not only a fantastic chance to travel or to participate in interesting activities but also to get to know your classmates outside the classroom.

==== Optional courses – CHF 100–1000 for the whole exchange ====
Many schools offer optional courses in art, language, music etc. Outside school, you will soon realize that there are hundreds of associations and clubs in Switzerland for all kinds of activities (e.g. singing in a choir, playing soccer, scouts groups and many more). Almost everybody in Switzerland is a member of one or several clubs. So if you want to have a real Swiss experience, we encourage you to check out the possibilities in your host community and join one of the clubs. This is a chance to meet people with similar interests and learn a lot about typical Swiss traditions. The fees for optional courses at school and membership fees for clubs are usually very moderate.

==== Approximate costs of consumer goods ====
As mentioned before, Switzerland is an expensive country. To get a first impression, use the website to compare the prices of the following list with the prices you would pay in your home country:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Item !! Avg. Price
|-
| Coffee || CHF 4
|-
| Soft Drink || CHF 2.50 - 4
|-
| Sandwich || CHF 5 - 10
|-
| Restaurant meal for one || CHF 20-50
|-
| Cinema tickets || CHF 12 - 20
|-
| Bread || CHF 1 - 5
|-
| Hamburger || CHF 3.50 - 20
|-
| Concert tickets || CHF 20 - 150
|-
| Ski Pass (1 Day) || CHF 45 - 80
|-
| Mobile phone/ month || CHF 20 - 80
|}
As you can see, for some items there is a wide range of prices, depending a lot on where you buy them. There can be significant differences between individual shops and restaurants but also between urban and rural areas. Talk with your host family and your friends about the spots with the best value for money.

==== How to receive money from home ====
For safety reasons, you should not carry too much cash on your person. There are different possibilities for your parents to send you money during your exchange (credit or debit cards, money transfers etc.). It is also possible to open a bank account in Switzerland but only after you have received the residence permit (1-2 months after your arrival).

Which solution is best depends on the country you are coming from. Ask a financial institution or AFS in your home country what they recommend for Switzerland.

Your exchange experience

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== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year-program students will attend an intensive language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Your exchange experience

2025-08-08T07:16:31Z

David Barquero: Protected "Your exchange experience" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year-program students will attend an intensive language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Main Page

2025-08-08T07:16:21Z

David Barquero: Changed protection settings for "Main Page" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb]]

=== <strong>Welcome to Switzerland!</strong> ===
This guide is a comprehensive resource for AFS participants coming to Switzerland.

As you embark on this exciting exchange experience, you will discover a country rich in cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and unique traditions. This guide provides essential information to help you navigate your exchange journey —from preparation and arrival to daily life, school, cultural adaptation— and make the most of your stay.

== [[AFS Switzerland]] ==

* [[AFS Switzerland#National office|National office]]
* [[AFS Switzerland#Local chapters|Local chapters]]
** [[AFS Switzerland#AFS emergency phone|AFS emergency phone]]

== [[Switzerland|About Switzerland]] ==

* [[Switzerland#Geography|Geography]]
* [[Switzerland#Climate|Climate]]
* [[Switzerland#Swiss culture|Swiss culture]]
* [[Switzerland#Languages|Languages]]
** [[Switzerland#Swiss German vs. High German|Swiss German vs High German]]

* [[Switzerland#Transportation|Transportation]]
* [[Switzerland#Education system|Education system]]
* [[Switzerland#Practical information|Practical information]]
== [[Preparing for your exchange]] ==

* [[Preparing for your exchange#Contacting your host family|Contacting your host family]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#Online language learning|Online language learning]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#Visa and travel|Visa and travel]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#Insurance|Insurance]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#Recommended vaccinations|Recommended vaccinations]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#What to pack|What to pack]]
* [[Preparing for your exchange#Managing money abroad|Managing money abroad]]
** [[Preparing for your exchange#Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland|Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland]]
** [[Preparing for your exchange#Expenses paid by the participant|Expenses paid by the participant]]

== [[Your exchange experience]] ==

* [[Your exchange experience#Your time in Switzerland|Your time in Switzerland]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Arrival day and first weeks|Arrival day and first weeks]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Your host family and you|Your host family and you]]
** [[Your exchange experience#Host family values and rules|Host family values and rules]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Your host school|Your host school]]
** [[Your exchange experience#Frequently asked questions|Frequently asked questions]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP|Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Making friends|Making friends]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Leisure activities|Leisure activities]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Religious practice and attitudes|Religious practice and attitudes]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Good manners|Good manners]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Typically Swiss?|Typically Swiss?]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Health and wellbeing: highs and lows|Health and wellbeing: highs and lows]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Money traps|Money traps]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Social media fair play rules|Social media fair play rules]]
* [[Your exchange experience#Conclusion|Conclusion]]

== [[AFS Rules & Policies]] ==

* [[AFS Rules & Policies#Rules of AFS Switzerland|Rules of AFS Switzerland]]

== [[AFS Switzerland travel rules]] ==

* [[AFS Switzerland travel rules#Travel rules|Travel rules]]
* [[AFS Switzerland travel rules#Travel visas|Travel visas]]
* [[AFS Switzerland travel rules#Visits from home|Visits from home]]
* [[AFS Switzerland travel rules#Obtaining permission|Obtaining permission]]

== [[Safety Handbook]] ==

* [[Safety Handbook#Introduction|Introduction]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Safety at home|Safety at home]]
** [[Safety Handbook#General safety questions|General safety questions]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Answering the phone|Answering the phone]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Safety outside the home|Safety outside the home]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Public transport|Public transport]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Walking|Walking]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Cycling|Cycling]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Motor vehicles|Motor vehicles]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Public places|Public places]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Weather|Weather]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Theft|Theft]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Authorities and emergency contacts|Authorities and emergency contacts]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Drugs & alcohol|Drugs & alcohol]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Drugs|Drugs]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Alcohol|Alcohol]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Health & wellness|Health & wellness]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Relationships and sex|Relationships and sex]]
** [[Safety Handbook#HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases|HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Sexual harassment|Sexual harassment]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Other important issues|Other important issues]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Laws in Switzerland|Laws in Switzerland]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Liability insurance|Liability insurance]]
** [[Safety Handbook#Uninsured activities|Uninsured activities]]
* [[Safety Handbook#Conclusion|Conclusion]]

Switzerland

2025-08-08T07:16:09Z

David Barquero: Changed protection settings for "Switzerland" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 90''' (approximately '''USD 110'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host families have a landline and the family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile
phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family
and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

Switzerland

2025-08-08T07:15:44Z

David Barquero: Protected "Switzerland" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

'''Switzerland''' is a small but diverse country located in the heart of Europe. Known for its mountains, lakes, neutrality and high quality of life, Switzerland offers a unique blend of cultures, languages and natural beauty. Its central location also makes it a great hub for exploring Europe.

== Geography ==
Switzerland is a '''landlocked country''' located in the heart of Europe. Switzerland is surrounded by five neighboring countries: '''Italy, France, Germany, Austria''' and '''Liechtenstein'''. Its total land area is approximately '''41'000 square kilometers''' (~16'000 square miles), making it relatively small compared to its European neighbors, all of which are larger except for Liechtenstein.

Switzerland can be divided into three major geographical regions:

# '''The Alps''' – These famous mountains cover about 58% of the country but are sparsely populated, with only a small fraction of the population living in the alpine areas. The Alps are home to 49 peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).
# '''The Swiss Plateau (Mittelland)''' – This region covers around 31% of the country's surface and is home to two-thirds of the Swiss population. It stretches from Lake Geneva in the southwest to Lake Constance in the northeast. Most of Switzerland's cities, industries and farmland are concentrated here, making it the economic and population center of the country.
# '''The Jura''' – The Jura Mountains make up about 11% of the land area. Although less prominent than the Alps, this region along the northwest border is known for its forests, watchmaking industry and lower population density.

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland has many rivers and lakes, offering numerous opportunities for swimming and water activities. Swiss citizens take pride in the fact that even in major cities, the rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming.

With 6% of Europe’s freshwater reserves, Switzerland plays an important role in the continent's water system. The country’s rivers and lakes are also integral to daily life, providing both recreation and drinking water for the population.

== Climate ==
Switzerland enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by four distinct seasons. However, the climate can vary significantly due to the country’s varied topography and elevations, creating a range of microclimates. From fridgid Alpine conditions on mountaintops to an almost mediterranean climate in the southern regions, Switzerland offers a unique weather experience.

==== '''Spring (March to May)''' ====
As winter fades away, trees begin to blossom and meadows transform into vibrant green landscapes. This is a perfect time to explore the outdoors as nature awakens.

==== '''Summer (June to August)''' ====
Days become longer and temperatures typically rise to '''25-30°C''' (77-86°F). This is the perfect season to enjoy Switzerland's many lakes and rivers, ideal for swimming and various outdoor activities. Hot afternoons can often lead to rain and thunderstorms in the evening.

==== '''Autumn (September to November)''' ====
As the days cool down, fruits ripen and the foliage displays stunning hues of red, yellow and brown. The changing colors create picturesque landscapes, making it a lovely time for hikes and outdoor exploration.

==== '''Winter (December to February)''' ====
In winter, snow blankets the mountain landscapes, creating a winter wonderland. However, in the Swiss Plateau, it is often not cold enough for snow to linger for more than a few days. The days become shorter, which can be challenging for those unaccustomed to such seasonal changes. Exchange students may find it particularly difficult, as it can be dark when they leave for school in the morning and dark again by the time they return home in the afternoon. However, there’s no need to worry; after the winter solstice on December 21/22, the days will gradually begin to lengthen again.

Overall, Switzerland’s diverse climate makes it a fascinating place to experience all four seasons, each offering its unique beauty and activities.

== Swiss culture ==
Switzerland is a country of contrasts and coexistence. With four national languages ('''German''', '''French''', '''Italian''' and '''Romansh''') and distinct regional identities, Swiss culture is shaped by diversity, neutrality and a deep respect for tradition and precision.

=== Cultural values ===
Swiss people tend to value:

* '''Punctuality''' – Being on time is a sign of respect. Whether it’s a meeting, school or a social event, punctuality is expected.
* '''Privacy & discretion''' – People are generally reserved, especially at first. Asking personal questions too early may be seen as intrusive.
* '''Directness''' – Communication tends to be polite but honest and straightforward.
* '''Cleanliness & order''' – Swiss streets, homes and public spaces are clean and well-organized. Everyone is expected to contribute to keeping things tidy.

== Languages ==
Switzerland has four national languages: '''German, French, Italian''' and '''Romansh'''. However, this does not imply that all Swiss people speak all four languages. The language spoken largely depends on the region where one grows up. While Swiss students are required to learn a second or even third national language in school, they often do not achieve a high level of proficiency and may lack confidence when using these languages. As a result, many Swiss people prefer to communicate in English, especially when interacting with speakers of different national languages.

There is a humorous term that highlights the cultural and linguistic divide between the German-speaking and French-speaking regions: '''“Röstigraben.”''' This term translates to "hashed potatoes border," referring to '''Rösti''', a traditional dish from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It symbolizes the differences between the two language groups.

==== Language distribution ====

* '''German''': The most widely spoken language, used by 64% of the population.
* '''French''': Spoken by about 20% of the population, primarily in the western part of the country.
* '''Italian''': Spoken by approximately 6.5%, mainly in the southern region of Ticino.
* '''Romansh''': A minority language, spoken by less than 0.5% of the population, primarily in the canton of Grisons.
* '''Immigrant languages''': The remaining 9% of the population consists of immigrants who speak their native languages.

==== Regional distribution ====

* The '''German region (Deutschschweiz)''' covers roughly the east, northand center of the country.
* The '''French region (Suisse romande)''' is located in the west.
* The '''Italian region (Svizzera italiana)''' is situated in the south.
* The canton of '''Grisons''' is unique as it is officially trilingual, with '''German, Italian''' and '''Romansh''' spoken.

==== Multilingualism ====
Switzerland is home to a rich linguistic landscape, with '''four cantons'''—'''Bern, Fribourg, Valais''' and '''Graubünden'''—and the city of '''Biel/Bienne''' being officially multilingual. '''Swiss German''' is the most commonly used language in the workplace, followed by standard German, French, English and Italian. Over '''two-thirds''' of the population aged '''15 and above''' regularly speak more than one language.

Multilingualism is not only a key aspect of Swiss identity but is also enshrined in the '''Languages Act''', which underscores the importance of preserving and promoting the country's linguistic diversity.

==== Swiss German vs. High German ====
If you are placed in the '''German-speaking region''' of Switzerland, you will likely find yourself learning two languages simultaneously, as '''Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch)''' varies significantly from '''High German (Hochdeutsch)'''.

* '''Swiss German''': This is the language used for daily conversation. It consists of various dialects that can differ widely from region to region. Even native speakers sometimes struggle to understand someone with a strong local dialect, making it an interesting linguistic challenge for learners.
* '''High German''': This is the standard written language and is used in formal settings, education and written communication. You will begin your language studies with High German, so don't hesitate to remind those around you to speak it. This will help you build a solid foundation in the language.

It's important to note that most '''AFS students''' will be placed in the German-speaking region, as the '''French-speaking region''' is much smaller and the '''Italian-speaking region''' is limited to just one canton.

'''Good to know''': Students placed in the French-speaking region should already have a strong command of the French language prior to arriving in Switzerland, as schools will not accept students without sufficient language skills. Currently, placements in the Italian-speaking part are not offered.

== Transportation ==
In Switzerland, school buses are not common and it is unusual for parents to drive their children to school. Instead, public transport is widely used and it is known for being reliable, safe and efficient.

In urban areas, many families choose not to own a car because public transport is often more convenient. Don’t worry; there are a wide variety of transportation options available, ranging from trains to bicycles. Most students commute to and from school using public transport, by bicycle or by walking.

You will soon notice that many Swiss people take pride in their public transport system, fostering an almost emotional connection with the '''Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS)'''. The SBB has an excellent website available in German, French, Italian and English, along with a user-friendly smartphone app that allows you to check train, bus and boat connections and purchase tickets online. For more information, visit [https://www.sbb.ch/ www.sbb.ch].

'''Important reminder''': Always ensure you have a valid ticket when using public transport. If you are caught without one, you will face a fine of '''CHF 90''' (approximately '''USD 110'''). Ticket inspectors are typically strict and will not make exceptions, even if you try to explain that you’re a confused exchange student still learning how to use the ticket machines. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''
[[File:Swiss Education System.png|thumb|Swiss education system]]
For additional safety tips regarding different modes of transportation in Switzerland, refer to the [[Safety Handbook#Transportation safety|transportation section]] of the safety handbook.

== Education system ==
The Swiss education system is structured to provide pupils and students with the choice between two main pathways: one focused on academic education and the other on vocational training, leading to qualifications as skilled workers. The education system is divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.

==== '''Primary and lower secondary level''' ====
Compulsory education in Switzerland consists of nine years, starting at age 7. Children typically attend kindergarten for one to two years before entering primary school. Primary education generally lasts between four to six years, followed by lower-secondary education, which lasts between three to five years, depending on the canton.

==== '''Upper secondary level''' ====
This level includes basic vocational education and training (VET) and the academic route.

* '''Baccalaureate schools''': These schools (German: Gymnasium, Kantonsschule; French: Collège, lycée, gymnase) provide a broad general education covering economics, humanities, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, visual arts, music and sports. Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive, with only about 20% of teenagers attending. A Swiss baccalaureate diploma opens doors to all Swiss universities and most exchange students are placed in these institutions.
* '''Vocational education''': The dual system combines classroom learning at a vocational school with practical training in a company, producing skilled workers with qualifications that meet market demands. Vocational training usually lasts two to four years and successful trainees receive a certificate of proficiency. After an additional year of senior classes, students can qualify for a professional baccalaureate, allowing admission to universities of applied sciences.
* '''Upper secondary specialized schools''': (German: Fachmittelschule, Wirtschaftsmittelschule, Informatikmittelschule; French: École de culture générale, École de commerce) these schools teach both general and specific subjects required for various professions in fields such as education, health, social work, music and arts. Graduates receive diplomas that provide access to specialized universities.

==== '''Tertiary level''' ====
The tertiary education system includes:

# '''Traditional universities''': Comprising ten cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology, several of which are ranked among the best in the world.
# '''Universities of pedagogy and universities of applied sciences''': These institutions offer practical, career-oriented education.
# '''Adult professional education and training''': This Swiss specialty focuses on management, specialties and leadership for professionals at various levels.

Over '''44%''' of the Swiss population hold a tertiary-level qualification, showcasing the effectiveness of the varied and flexible education system.

'''Further information''': For more details about the Swiss education system in English, visit [http://swisseducation.educa.ch/en Swiss Education].

== Practical information ==

=== Sending mail ===
To write to a Swiss address, you first write the name of the recipient. On the next line you
write the street name and the house number. This is followed by the postal code which
is frequently preceded by CH but also can be written without, particularly if sending from
within Switzerland.
If your parents want to send something to you, they can just put your name first and then
use the c/o address. Here is an example:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sample address !! Format guide
|-
| Marco Meier || (your first and last name)
|-
| c/o Fam. Müller || (c/o your host family's last name)
|-
| Centralplatz 2 || (street name and house number)
|-
| CH-4051 Basel || (CH- followed by postal code and town)
|}

Swiss Post is very reliable. Sending and receiving letters or packages of all sizes is no
problem in Switzerland. For customs regulations and further information check out the website of the [https://www.post.ch/en/ Swiss Post]

=== Telephone ===

Most host families have a landline and the family members (except for small children) usually have a mobile phone. It is very common for Swiss teenagers to have a mobile
phone and it might be very helpful for your integration into the life of your host family
and your host community to get a Swiss mobile phone number.

If you already have a phone, you can buy a prepaid Swiss SIM card.
Most phones are now globally compatible, however, some countries (e.g. USA and
Canada) may use a different mobile phone standard so your phone might not work in
Switzerland. If your phone does not work in Switzerland, ask around if someone can lend
you a phone before purchasing an expensive new one.
If you are thinking about buying a new mobile phone while in Switzerland, read this warning:

Many companies offer discounts on new phones but only if you sign a plan with them.
'''To protect you and your host family, signing mobile phone plans is forbidden for AFS '''students in Switzerland. Firstly, most students are not yet 18 and are therefore not allowed to sign a contract. Secondly, the contracts contain complicated small print.
Many students only realize what kind of contract they have signed when they receive the
first monthly bill. Once signed, there is no way to get out of such a plan for at least 12
months

There are a variety of good prepaid offers on the market. Compare the prices before you
decide what is best for you. Some prepaid offers also contain a data package.
The rates for mobile phone calls in Switzerland are much higher than in many other
countries. This is why Whatsapp and other communication tools that do not use the
telephone network but connect to the Internet have become very popular. In many
places, you can use Wi-Fi for free.
Here is a good piece of advice from former exchange students: Do not use your mobile
phone to call your parents back home unless it is an emergency. International calls are
very expensive.
There are many options to save money on international calls, e.g. by using Internet
services (WhatsApp, Skype, Signal, etc.), using a cheap access number from the landline or
international calling cards. Talk to your host family and AFS volunteers to find out the best
options.

=== Internet ===

Most host families have a fast Wi-Fi connection with unlimited data uploads and downloads. Ask your family if there are any restrictions regarding computer and Internet use
in their home. Many families have such rules, mainly for social reasons. Computer and
Internet time are limited in order to have more family time together.
You will also find Wi-Fi in many schools, cafés, shops, museums, libraries etc. They are
often password protected so ask the staff if you want to use it. Internet cafés are not widespread anymore because mobile devices have become so popular.

=== Electricity ===
[[File:SEV 1011 Typ 13 Steckdose.jpg|thumb|Typical Swiss electrical outlet]]
The electric current used throughout Switzerland is 230 Volts AC, 50hz (continental
European standard). Wall outlets are unique to Switzerland, however. They are compatible
with the three-pole Type J plug and with the Europlug (CEE 7/16).
For all other plugs, you need an adapter. If you come from a country with different plugs,
it might be a good idea to get an adapter already in your home country.
Be careful with equipment designed for 100/110/120 Volts AC (as used in the USA and
some parts of Asia). While some notebooks and mobile phones are explicitly designed to work with a wide range of input voltages (100 to 240 Volts), many electronic
devices are completely incompatible and might be damaged if used with doubled voltage. Never try to connect a device designed for 110 Volts to a 230 Volt power outlet unless you
have a voltage transformer.

=== Environment ===
In Switzerland, people are careful about the environment and try to protect it wherever
possible. Water is a limited resource and it is expected to conserve its usage and shower for a maximum of
10 minutes. Tap water in Switzerland is high quality and drinkable without filtration. There is a sophisticated waste and
recycling collection system. Household waste is often only collected in special designated trash bags which must be purchased separately at supermarkets, however recycling is always free. Old and unwanted electronics can often be returned to the store where the item was originally purchased, at no expense. It is expected to separate paper and cardboard as they are collected separately. PET plastic drink bottles, metal and glass are expected to be recycled. Supermarkets and large train stations often have recycling bins for Paper, Aluminum and PET bottles but often lack glass disposal. Glass bottles can be disposed of at designated recycling points. A great web resource for finding recycling points is: https://recycling-map.ch/en/map

=== Currency and exchange rates ===
[[File:CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse.png|thumb|CHF Banknotes 9th series obverse]]
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc, usually indicated as CHF or Fr. Switzerland is not part of the European Union and thus is not obliged to convert to the Euro but many merchants will accept the Euro (although at unfavorable exchange rates). Change will most likely be given back in Swiss francs.

The Swiss Franc comes in the following denominations:

Coins
* 5, 10, 20, 50 Cents and 1, 2, 5 Francs

Bank Notes
* 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1'000 Francs

Most places still accept cash payments. However, paying cashless has become very frequent.
Here is a good site to look up the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the currency used in your country: https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en

=== Units of measurement ===

The metric system is used to measure weight, distance, height, velocity and volume. Temperature is measured in Celsius. If you are not used to the metric system or the Celsius temperature scale, a good web resource is: http://www.metric-conversions.org

=== Authorities and laws ===

AFS students are subject to the law of their host country. We recommend reading the
foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if
there are important differences between the laws in your country and those in Switzerland.

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport. Should
the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. For more information, read the chapter Authorities and emergency contacts in the [[Safety Handbook]].

AFS Switzerland

2025-08-08T07:15:18Z

David Barquero: Protected "AFS Switzerland" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' hallo@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''15 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-18T15:17:07Z

David Barquero: /* B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver''', in addition to permission from your natural parents.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent vua email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-18T14:41:13Z

David Barquero: /* A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver''', in addition to permission from your natural parents.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent vua email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

Your exchange experience

2025-07-17T09:13:28Z

David Barquero: /* Language course for year students */

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year-program students will attend an intensive language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Your exchange experience

2025-07-17T08:50:53Z

David Barquero: /* Your host school */ edited picking classes; added to manners and greetings

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year students will attend an intensive language course, depending on their level of German or French. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Your exchange experience

2025-07-17T08:33:31Z

David Barquero:

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year students will attend an intensive language course, depending on their level of German or French. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Exchange students cannot choose their classes; they are obliged to take a given subject combination. Exceptions are made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have no or very little previous knowledge. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland pre corona, you shake hands when you say hello or good-bye. Now you greet people with the elbow or stand there and smile at each other.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. When there are guests, say hello to every single one and likewise good-bye when they or you leave. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

Your exchange experience

2025-07-17T08:23:56Z

David Barquero: Changed timelines

== Your time in Switzerland ==

=== Timeline - Year students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Online Language Course || 4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || July/January
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Semester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Arrival Day || August/February
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || 6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Departure || January/July
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

=== Timeline - Trimester students ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| Arrival Day || August
Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
|-
| First Day of School || 1st Monday after arrival
|-
| Orientation Camp || Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
|-
| Chapter Activities || Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.
You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
|-
| Evaluation Camp || Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
|-
| Departure || End of November/ Beginning of December
You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.
|}

== Arrival day and first weeks ==
Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

'''If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag'''

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

=== Language course for year students ===
Many year students will attend an intensive language course, depending on their level of German, French or Italian.

=== First school day in your host school ===
If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

=== Orientation camp ===
After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

== Your host family and you ==
AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

* Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
* Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
* Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
* Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
* Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

'''And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life'''

=== Host family values and rules ===
Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. '''Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight.''' Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

== Your host school ==
Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. '''Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.'''

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

=== Frequently asked questions ===

==== What type of school will I be enrolled in? ====
The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

==== How does the grading system work? ====
Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Grading System
|-
| 6 || Excellent
|-
| 5 || Good
|-
| 4 || Satisfactory
|-
| 3 || Failing (unsatisfactory)
|-
| 2 || Failing (poor)
|-
| 1 || Failling (very poor)
|}

==== In what school year will I be enrolled? ====
Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====
Exchange students cannot choose their classes; they are obliged to take a given subject combination. Exceptions are made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have no or very little previous knowledge. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

* First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
* Second national language
* Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
* Mathematics
* Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
* Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
* Visual arts and/or music
* Sports

==== What do the teachers expect from me? ====
Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

==== In what language will the classes be taught? ====
The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====
There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

==== Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art? ====
Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

'''When does the school year begin and end?'''

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

'''What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?'''

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

==== Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance? ====
Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====
Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that '''both you and your host family''' feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

=== Your Participant Contact Person (PCP) ===
Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your '''first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.'''

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write '''monthly reports''' to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

* Check in with you '''at least once a month''', preferably in person
* Offer friendship, support and practical advice
* Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

=== The Family Contact Person (FCP) ===
Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

== Making friends ==
Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

=== Classmates ===
The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

== Leisure activities ==
Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. '''Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.'''

== Religious practice and attitudes ==
Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

== Good manners ==
Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

=== Meeting and greeting people ===
In Switzerland pre corona, you shake hands when you say hello or good-bye. Now you greet people with the elbow or stand there and smile at each other.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. When there are guests, say hello to every single one and likewise good-bye when they or you leave. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

=== Table manners ===
For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

==== Don’ts ====
It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

== Typically Swiss? ==
[[File:Typically Swiss 1.png|thumb|Typically Swiss?]]
Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

== Health and wellbeing: highs and lows ==
During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.
[[File:Exchange highs and lows.png|thumb|Exchange highs and lows]]

=== Homesickness ===
An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

==== What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland. ====
Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

=== Importance of learning the Language ===
Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

=== Weight gain and weight loss ===
Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

=== Share your feelings – contact AFS support ===
For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

=== In case of an emergency ===
If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

=== Host family changes ===
“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

=== Contacting parents and friends ===
Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

* Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
* Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
* Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
* Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
* Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
* Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
* Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

== Money traps ==
Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

=== Make a budget ===
It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

=== Avoid expensive mobile phone plans ===
Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: '''Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option!''' This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

=== Drink tap water ===
No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

=== Compare prices ===
Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

=== Borrow things ===
Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

== Social media fair play rules ==
Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

=== How much is too much? ===
Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

=== Ask your host parents ===
Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

=== All the same? ===
No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

=== Privacy settings ===
Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

=== Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private ===
Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

=== Once it is published, you have no control ===
Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

=== Be respectful ===
Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

* Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
* Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
* Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
* Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
* Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

== Conclusion ==
To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“

AFS Switzerland

2025-07-17T07:36:26Z

David Barquero: /* Local chapters */

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' hallo@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''15 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-11T14:19:34Z

David Barquero: /* Travel visas */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within the Schengen area''' does '''not''' require approval from AFS. However, you must obtain the permission of your natural parents. Additionally, you must inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in case of an emergency. Send us your travel information via email to hallo@afs.ch.

==== 2. Outside the Schengen area ====
For travelling outside the Schengen area, you need permission from your natural parents. Send us your travel information, including details about your companions, travel dates and destination, via email to hallo@afs.ch - We will then coordinate with AFS in your home country to secure your parents' approval. Once the approval is obtained, we will notify you promptly. '''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent vua email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, Nat family visits are strongly discouraged during the exchange program. '''Visits will only be approved under exceptional circumstances.''' Final approval of Natural family visits will be at the '''sole discretion of AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Visits from natural parents or relatives always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside of Switzerland with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents), or friends is not permitted during the program.'''

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-11T12:23:40Z

David Barquero: /* C. Day trip visits to neighboring countries */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within the Schengen area''' does '''not''' require approval from AFS. In this case, simply inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in an emergency.

==== 2. Outside the Schengen area ====
For travelling outside the Schengen area, you need permission from your natural parents. Send us your travel information, including details about your companions, travel dates and destination, via email to hallo@afs.ch - We will then coordinate with AFS in your home country to secure your parents' approval. Once the approval is obtained, we will notify you promptly. '''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== C. Day trip visits to neighboring countries ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and you '''do not miss any school''', you are free to visit a neighboring country of Switzerland on a day trip. Switzerland is bordered by: France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== D. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all overnight trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least two weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent to AFS Switzerland: '''hallo@afs.ch''', '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area.'''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking. Students should have received their visa before subbmitting the travel waiver.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, AFS advises against visits from your home country during the exchange program. '''Visits from natural parents, relatives or friends always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside Switzerland with visitors from your home country is not permitted during the program.'''

'''IMPORTANT:''' Your Swiss residence permit allows for travel within the Schengen Area. (For more information on Schengen, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area.) For other countries, you may need to apply for a visa beforehand. It is your responsibility to aquire any and all required visas prior to travelling.

Make sure you have your passport and your residence permit with you whenever you leave the country.

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, hotels, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland

2025-07-10T14:43:22Z

David Barquero: /* AFS emergency phone */

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' hallo@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''16 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!''' When calling the emergency phone you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. '''The duty officer will call you back within 1 hour.'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>

Main Page

2025-07-08T09:25:32Z

David Barquero: Protected "Main Page": High traffic page ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-08T09:24:13Z

David Barquero:

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within the Schengen area''' does '''not''' require approval from AFS. In this case, simply inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in an emergency.

==== 2. Outside the Schengen area ====
For travelling outside the Schengen area, you need permission from your natural parents. Send us your travel information, including details about your companions, travel dates and destination, via email to hallo@afs.ch - We will then coordinate with AFS in your home country to secure your parents' approval. Once the approval is obtained, we will notify you promptly. '''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== C. Day trip visits to neighboring countries ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and you '''do not miss any school''', you are free to visit a neighboring country of Switzerland on a day trip. Switzerland is bordered by: France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== D. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all overnight trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least two weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent to AFS Switzerland: '''hallo@afs.ch''', '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area.'''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, AFS advises against visits from your home country during the exchange program. '''Visits from natural parents, relatives or friends always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside Switzerland with visitors from your home country is not permitted during the program.'''

'''IMPORTANT:''' Your Swiss residence permit allows for travel within the Schengen Area. (For more information on Schengen, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area.) For other countries, you may need to apply for a visa beforehand. It is your responsibility to aquire any and all required visas prior to travelling.

Make sure you have your passport and your residence permit with you whenever you leave the country.

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, hotels, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form at least 3 weeks before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

AFS Switzerland travel rules

2025-07-08T08:41:33Z

David Barquero: /* How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? */

== Travel rules ==
Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

==== 1. Within the Schengen area ====
'''Travel with a host family, school or club within the Schengen area''' does '''not''' require approval from AFS. In this case, simply inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in an emergency.

==== 2. Outside the Schengen area ====
For travelling outside the Schengen area, you need permission from your natural parents. Send us your travel information, including details about your companions, travel dates and destination, via email to hallo@afs.ch - We will then coordinate with AFS in your home country to secure your parents' approval. Once the approval is obtained, we will notify you promptly. '''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area.'''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== C. Day trip visits to neighboring countries ===
As long as you obtain your host family's permission and you '''do not miss any school''', you are free to visit a neighboring country of Switzerland on a day trip. Switzerland is bordered by: France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''

=== D. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
'''Important: all overnight trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least two weeks before departure.'''

1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives ('''not parents, grandparents or siblings'''). A completed '''travel waiver''', '''invitation letter''' and '''passport/Identity card copy''' from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.

2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

==== General rules: ====
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

* Your host family agrees to the trip.
* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel).
* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
* You either stay with relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent to AFS Switzerland: '''hallo@afs.ch''', '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
* Your parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

== Travel visas ==
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.

'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area.'''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

== Visits from home ==
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, AFS advises against visits from your home country during the exchange program. '''Visits from natural parents, relatives or friends always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.'''

'''Travelling outside Switzerland with visitors from your home country is not permitted during the program.'''

'''IMPORTANT:''' Your Swiss residence permit allows for travel within the Schengen Area. (For more information on Schengen, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area.) For other countries, you may need to apply for a visa beforehand. It is your responsibility to aquire any and all required visas prior to travelling.

Make sure you have your passport and your residence permit with you whenever you leave the country.

== Obtaining permission ==

=== How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? ===
[[File:AFS travel waiver form.png|alt=AFS travel waiver form|thumb|[https://d22dvihj4pfop3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2024/01/23144104/Travel-Waiver-Application-Form_DE-FILL-IN.pdf AFS travel waiver form]]]
The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, hotels, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:

* Your host family approves of your travel plans
* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form at least 3 weeks before the date of departure
* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

Safety Handbook

2025-07-08T07:50:42Z

David Barquero: /* Authorities and emergency contacts */

== Introduction ==
A primary objective of experiential learning programs, such as those offered by AFS, is to help participants learn through observation, question, dialogue, discussion and experience. From experience, AFS staff and volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn is great but it is not necessarily easy. Participants can encounter complex situations along the way and there is the potential for confusion, fear and misunderstanding. If students are left to their own devices, the consequences could be very distressing.

For these reasons, with the help of host families, the local community, AFS contacts and school personnel, AFS has devised a system of program support for all participants, providing a wide range of supportive activities and services. The purpose is to provide a safety net, a consistently supportive environment in which participants can ask questions, obtain advice and help.

AFS cannot supply all the possible answers but through our support systems; we can help to guide participants towards asking appropriate questions. It is not possible to anticipate all possible situations pertaining to individual safety concerns. Many of these issues are specific to individual countries or parts of a single country.

In general, AFS recommends talking with the host family, AFS local committee members and staff from the host school, soon after the student joins the host family, about any of the information in this guidebook and any question students may have about specific personal issues. AFS suggests that students ask their host family about any issue they are concerned or worried about, as the information about the host country prevalent in movies and in media publications may not be accurate for the entire country or the specific area in which the family lives. Within this context, what follows are some topics and general suggestions.

== Safety at home ==
Your host family will probably not know what you are concerned or worried about. Do not hesitate to ask them questions about safety, e.g. Can I go out at night alone? Are there areas I should avoid? Although there are common safety issues in Switzerland, they may still vary from region to region. Ask your host family about their particular situation.

==== General safety questions ====

* What should I do if an emergency occurs? Whom should I call?
* Where do you keep the emergency telephone numbers?
* Do you have first aid equipment? Where is it?
* Do you have a fire extinguisher? Where is it?
* How do you secure the house?
* Do you lock your doors and windows? When do you do that?
* Am I going to have a house key?
* How should I answer the door when I am alone?
* How do I react when a stranger rings the doorbell?

==== Answering the phone ====
If you feel uncertain about answering phone calls especially because you have to answer in a foreign language, ask your family: How do I have to respond when answering the phone? What information should I give? What information should I not give?

== Safety outside the home ==

=== Public transport ===
It is very common to use public transport in Switzerland. Public transport in Switzerland is very reliable and safe.

However, be careful at night. Try to look for compartments with other people in it rather than being alone in a train carriage. It is also advisable to avoid being alone in train stations at night. Ask your host parents about the situation in your region, as they will know best.

Make sure that you always have a valid ticket. If you do not and get caught, you will get a fine of '''90 Swiss Francs (approx. USD 110)'''! Further offenses will result in increasing fines and entry into a database. Ticket inspectors are usually unsympathetic even if you start crying and tell them a moving story of a lost exchange student who does not yet know how the ticket machine works. Ticket inspection can occur on any transit route at any time, even by plainclothes inspectors; it is best to have your ticket ready for inspection and to be cooperative. '''Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.'''

As there are so many trains and buses in Switzerland, most host students can get overwhelmed at the beginning of their exchange. Every year, a few exchange students get lost while using public transport. For this reason, make sure you have your host family's phone number with you when you start taking trains on your own. Do not be embarrassed to call them when you are lost. They will be able to guide you home safely. Transit timetables are often at regular intervals. Its best to consult local schedules at transit stops as service may differ on weekends and during holidays. When hiking in the mountains, its best to memorize the schedule of chairlifts, funiculars and cable cars. Be aware that most chairlift and cable car services can end before the evening, leaving you stranded on a mountain, with a long hike to get back down.

SBB Transit police and security are generally available at major stations and sometimes do inspections of carriages on certain routes, especially during the evening hours. Do not be alarmed if you see security or police and feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. For general travel questions and transit timetables, it is best to consult the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/apps/sbb-mobile.html mobile app] and the SBB [https://www.sbb.ch/en/help-and-contact.html website]. Additionally, SBB travel centers, located in larger train stations can help you with other issues such as purchasing tickets.

=== Walking ===
Walking to and from places is usually safe. However, there are areas where you should be careful at night. Ask your host family about these specific areas, as they know best which places are safe and which are not. We encourage you to let your host parents know whenever you are concerned or frightened. When going out, inform your host family where you are going and how you can be reached and how and when you intend to get back home. Always be skeptical of strangers approaching you for help. Scams and confidience schemes are becoming increasingly common, especially in big cities. Use common sense and never exchange money with strangers who promise to pay you back. In smaller villages and hiking paths it is common to greet strangers on the street with a "Grüezi" or "Salut".

When walking alone late at night, try to walk in streets that are well lit and that have a lot of people. In general, you should take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations. Additionally, the Swiss Mobility [https://schweizmobil.ch/en/switzerlandmobility-app app] and [https://schweizmobil.ch/en website] can be a useful tool for finding walking, hiking and cycling routes throughout the entire country.

=== Cycling ===
In Switzerland, you will see many people riding their bikes going to school, to work or just for fun. You will very likely have the possibility to borrow a bike from someone. Before you ride it in the streets, ask your host family about traffic regulations in Switzerland. They may be different than in your home country. You must always follow traffic laws regarding cycling and always be courteous to others when riding.

Cycling in traffic can be challenging, especially in cities. We suggest that you ask a host family member to accompany you on your first attempts to conquer the Swiss streets with your bicycle. Make sure that your bike has good brakes and functioning lights. This is very important especially in winter because it can get dark very early. If you ride in the dark without a light, this is not only dangerous but you can also be fined. Be aware of changes in weather; cycling can become more challenging or dangerous in wet weather and in freezing temperatures. Brakes may not function as well in wet weather and roads can become dangerously slippery. AFS Switzerland recommends always wearing a helmet when you ride your bike. More information on cycling rules and regulations can be found at [https://www.ch.ch/en/vehicles-and-traffic/cars-and-other-vehicles/cycling-in-switzerland/#rules-for-e-bikes-electric-bicycles]

=== Motor vehicles ===
'''AFS participants are not allowed to drive cars.''' Do not get into a car with strangers. Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden. '''Participants either driving or hitchhiking will be dismissed from the program and must return home immediately.'''

The blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Switzerland for drivers is 0.5‰, which equals roughly one glass of beer or wine. Do not get into a car if you feel the driver has drunk more than the amount allowed by law.

Please note that in Switzerland it is compulsory to wear seatbelts for all passangers in a car. You should therefore always fasten your seatbelt automatically when entering a car - even if you will only be travelling a short distance.

=== Public places ===
Going to public places and walking around outside is usually very safe. As stated before, you should try to avoid being alone at night in train stations. There are also some other areas you should avoid (e.g. certain areas in Zurich). In general, you are safe if you do what the locals do. Therefore, take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

=== Weather ===
Skiing, hiking and cycling are very popular activities and can be amazing experiences. However, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Weather can change surprisingly fast: in a very short time a blue sky can be replaced by fog, snow or rain depending on the season. Remember, weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable and it is therefore dangerous to take unnecessary risks and get lost. It is recommended to download the MeteoSwiss weather app for your phone: [https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/services-and-publications/service/weather-and-climate-products/meteoswiss-app.html] It is advised to enable and follow the weather alerts for your region and heed the warnings, especially regarding thunderstorms and flooding. Always stay on marked trails and follow any signs regarding trail closures.

When in the mountains, try not to be alone but rather with your host family or with friends. They will know best, where and when you have to be careful. Always have your cell phone with you. Please note: an activity waiver is required for certain outdoor activities.

=== Theft ===
Because Switzerland is generally very safe, this might give you a false sense of security. But theft happens here as it does everywhere in the world; it is wise to be careful:

* Ask your host family, the school contact person or your school mates about the situation in your school and your host community.
* Make sure you always lock your bicycle. Unfortunately, bicycle theft is very common in Switzerland.
* Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
* Remember to double check you have all of your belongings before leaving a train or bus.
* Do not to leave your wallet, money or other valuables unobserved in school. The best thing is not to take things of great value such as jewellery to school at all.

== Authorities and emergency contacts ==
In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport when out in public. Should the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. This is the decision of the individual police officer.

Occasionally, the police may check and question people in the street. If this happens to you, there is nothing to worry about. Show respect and cooperation with authorities, even though you are innocent of any crime and may think that you are being treated unfairly.

If you do not understand what is being said, tell the police and explain that you are an exchange student. Always carry your residence permit with you. This is important not only in the event of being questioned by authorities but also in the unfortunate event of a personal accident.

In any kind of an emergency (accident, crime etc.) the best is to call the police first. Below, you will find the most important emergency numbers (any abuse of these numbers will be punished with a fine):
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
| Police || 117
|-
| Fire brigade || 118
|-
| Ambulance || 144
|-
|Transit police
|0800 117 117
|-
|AFS Emergency phone
(for use outside of office hours)
|079 358 84 56
|}
If something happens, always call your host family, the local contact person or the AFS office to inform them of the situation. Make sure you always carry the emergency card with the important numbers with you.

In case of a national emergency you should follow the advice of the government or the local authorities. AFS Switzerland will immediately contact the students and host families in order to provide the necessary help. However, Switzerland is a very peaceful country and such a case is unlikely to happen.

== Drugs & alcohol ==

=== Drugs ===
Unfortunately, drugs, especially marijuana, have become common in certain schools. The availability of drugs does not change the fact that they are illegal and dangerous.

The two most important pieces of advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding this issue:

* If someone offers you drugs, say no. AFS has a strict no-tolerance policy regarding cannabis (marijuana) and any other kind of illegal drugs. '''Usage of or involvement with drugs will result in dismissal from the program and immediate return to the home country.'''
* If you are worried that a friend might have a drug problem, talk to an adult you trust. Share your concerns with your host parents, a local AFS volunteer or a teacher.

=== Alcohol ===
According to Swiss law, teenagers, aged 16 and older, are allowed to buy wine and beer but no hard liquor before age 18. There is no specific law that forbids the consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is part of the everyday culture in Switzerland and will probably be offered to you on many occasions. It is typical for Swiss families to have a glass of wine with dinner. Therefore, it is very important that you learn how to deal with these situations.

Despite the liberal approach to alcohol consumption, never forget that alcohol is a drug. For your own safety, '''excessive alcohol consumption is forbidden during the AFS program'''. Under AFS Switzerland rules, excessive alcohol consumption is defined as: '''consuming more than 2 glasses of wine or beer in one sitting'''. At official AFS events, '''alcohol is completely forbidden.'''

Here are some important facts on the negative effects of alcohol:

* Studies have shown that teenagers are more sensitive to alcohol than adults. Additionally, many teenagers tend to overestimate their tolerance to alcohol and think they can handle larger amounts, thus increasing the risk of blackouts and alcohol poisioning.
* Alcohol affects your ability to judge situations adequately. You might do things that you regret afterwards. You can also easily be taken advantage of or even become a victim of crime, e.g. theft, sexual abuse.
* If you drink too much, you cannot control your movements anymore. The risk of accidents increases substantially.
* Excessive consumption can put your health at risk. Alcohol intoxication can be dangerous. Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to vomiting, passing out, blacking out and possibly alcohol poisioning, requiring immidiate medical attention. In the very worst case, alcohol poisioning may result in death.

For your own safety, AFS Switzerland expects you to stick to the '''following rules''':

* If you want to try alcohol, that is fine. A glass of wine or beer at a party or during dinner is okay. But do not over-indulge.
* If you do not want to try alcohol, that is fine also; never let anyone talk you into drinking alcohol.
* Never drink more than two units of alcohol in one sitting (1 unit = a glass of beer or a glass of wine).
* '''No hard alcohol'''. Do not touch vodka or other hard liquor, also when mixed with soft drinks.
* '''Do not drink more than once a week.'''
* Never drink when you have taken medicine (no matter if prescribed or over-the-counter).
* Say no when you do not feel like drinking or if you do not like the taste of alcohol.
* Look out for others: Tell your friends to stop if they are being excessive. If you think that a friend has an alcohol problem, share your concerns with an adult you trust.

Any student who violates the above rules risks '''immediate dismissal from the program and being sent home.''' If you have any doubts or questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to talk to your host family, a local AFS volunteers or a staff member at the AFS office.

== Health & wellness ==

=== Relationships and sex ===
Different societies have very different ideas about what is considered acceptable for teenagers when it comes to friendships, relationships and sex. Here are some examples of what is considered acceptable by most Swiss people:

* It is common that children and teenagers spend time together at each other's homes in their rooms playing, talking or listening to music.
* Friendships between women and men are very common. Having a date with a man or woman does not necessarily mean that he or she is interested in sex.
* Holding hands with people of the opposite sex is quite common.
* It is acceptable to show affection to a person of the opposite sex in public.
* Sex before marriage is accepted by most Swiss people. Therefore, many couples live together without being married and many parents accept overnight visits by their teenage children's boyfriend or girlfriend.
* Sex education is a compulsory subject in Swiss schools, including information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
* Homosexuality is legal and widely accepted. Same-sex couples have (almost) the same rights as heterosexual couples. In cities moreso than in villages, it is not unusual to see same-sex couples holding hands and showing affection in public.

=== HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ===
AIDS means “Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome“. A cure for this illness has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is transmitted by sexual contact only. HIV is NOT transmitted by contact such as drinking or eating from somebody else's glass or plate, touching, kissing etc. Sexually active participants should use condoms. Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, consistent and correct use of condoms reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The contraceptive pill does NOT protect against HIV or other STDs. For further information, there are many associations in Switzerland that can give you advice. Here are the most important ones with many branches all over Switzerland:

Aids-Hilfe Schweiz, Tel. 044 447 11 11

[https://aids.ch/ aids.ch], aids@aids.ch

Fondation Profa, https://www.profa.ch/

https://www.jugend-sexuelle-gesundheit.ch/

Checkpoint Zürich https://www.cpzh.ch/en/

== Sexual harassment ==
Cultures differ in their views of appropriate sexual behaviour and practices of young people. Often clarification of attitudes may be necessary and here again the advice of people you have come to know and trust is very valuable. Knowledge about the people you socialize with is important and this is acquired best through immersing yourself into your host culture. Equally important are your own values and beliefs regarding your behaviour. Do not compromise them, especially not regarding your sexual behaviour. Have the courage to say no at any time!

Especially at the beginning of your exchange, you may be unsure how to interpret certain situations. You may ask yourself if you are being sexually harassed or if a particular person's behaviour would simply be considered friendly by Swiss standards. Trust your own instinct and feelings. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, it is important that you take your feelings seriously and share them with your host siblings/ parents and friends. In many cases, they will be able to help you understand if someone's behaviour is appropriate or not and give you useful advice. You can also turn to teachers at school, local AFS volunteers or the AFS staff at the office for advice or help.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment can happen in any country. Especially young women are subject to harassment, e.g. if a man should whistle after you, you should avoid eye contact with him. If a car pulls up beside you, do not get in. If you realize that someone is following you, try to go to a public place (e.g. shop, restaurant) and ask someone for help. If you experience a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, the most important thing is to share it with an adult you trust. Rest assured that AFS volunteers and staff will take you seriously, do not be embarrassed or afraid!

== Other important issues ==

=== Laws in Switzerland ===
AFS students are subject to the law of the host country. Neither AFS nor the national government of the students' home country has the ability to protect the student from punishment with respect to drugs, thefts and other illegal offences. We recommend reading the foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if there are important differences between the laws in your home country and Switzerland.

=== Liability insurance ===
AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties. If you break something or cause injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have an insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS.

If you do not yet have liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

=== Uninsured activities ===
Some activites are excluded from AFS's insurance. These activities include but are not limited to: hang gliding, paragliding, parachuting, piloting and acting as the crew in an aircraft. You are not allowed to conduct any of these activites unless you have the explicit permission of AFS Switzerland.

=== Weapons ===
Civilians are generally prohibited from carrying firearms in public unless they have a special licence. However, any Swiss man who is found eligible has to complete mandatory military or civilian service. Most military conscripts have occasional training sessions until they have fulfilled their duty around the age of 30. Between training sessions, they have the option keep their service rifle at home. Do not be afraid if you see a weapon in your host family‘s cupboard or if you see soldiers with their service rifles in public. It is also possible that you will see people in civilian clothes, with a military service rifle, on their way to the compulsory annual shooting practice or to shooting competitions. In rural areas, shooting at ranges and hunting are common activities and some walking trails may be temporarily closed off as a precaution.

== Conclusion ==
The best advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding issues of personal safety is the following:

* Learn the language as quickly as possible in order to be able to understand what is going on around you.
* Get to know your host culture well through questions, dialogue and discussion with your host family, peers, AFS local contacts, AFS camp leaders etc.
* Take any concerns from your host family and school seriously and follow their advice.
* And remember: express your concerns!

Main Page

2025-07-08T07:49:35Z

David Barquero: /* AFS Switzerland */

AFS Switzerland

2025-07-08T07:48:26Z

David Barquero: /* National Office */

[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb|300x300px|AFS Logo]]AFS Switzerland hosts around 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 students abroad. Many host families have sent their own children abroad, were AFS participants themselves or have hosted previously. Like all AFS partners, AFS Switzerland is a non-profit intercultural education organization.
=== National office ===
'''Address:'''

AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland

Birmendorferstrasse 5

8004 Zürich

'''Phone:''' 044 218 19 19

'''E-Mail:''' hallo@afs.ch

'''Office hours:''' Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00.[[File:AFS Chapter maps.png|thumb|AFS Chapter map]]

=== Local chapters ===
AFS Switzerland operates through '''16 local chapters''' spread across the country, supported by around '''600 volunteers'''. These chapters play a key role in organizing and managing AFS programs at the local level.

Many volunteers are former host families, AFS alumni or individuals passionate about intercultural exchange. They contribute their time and expertise in various roles, such as Participant Contact Person (PCP), Family Contact Person (FPC), AFS Ambassadors, etc.

Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.

=== AFS emergency phone ===
The emergency phone is only to be used outside of AFS office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday) and '''only for emergencies!'''

For all other questions or inquiries please use the hallo@afs.ch email.

<big>AFS emergency phone: 079 358 84 56</big>