Preparing for your exchange - Revision history

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

2026-08-11T09:07:25Z

Approximate costs of consumer goods

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:07, 11 August 2026
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	! Item !! Avg. Price		! Item !! Avg. Price
	\|-		\|-
	\| Coffee \|\| CHF 4		\| Coffee \|\| CHF 5 - 6
	\|-		\|-
	\| Soft Drink \|\| CHF 2.50 - 4		\| Soft Drink \|\| CHF 2.50 - 4
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	\| Restaurant meal for one \|\| CHF 20-50		\| Restaurant meal for one \|\| CHF 20-50
	\|-		\|-
	\| Cinema tickets \|\| CHF 12 - 20		\| Cinema tickets \|\| CHF 15 - 25
	\|-		\|-
	\| Bread \|\| CHF 1 - 5		\| Bread \|\| CHF 1 - 5

David Barquero: /* What to pack */

2026-08-11T08:57:44Z

What to pack

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 11 August 2026
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	* Musical instruments: can often be rented or borrowed. Talk to your host family about this as well.		* 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.)		* 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		* Credit or debit card and passport
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	* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.		* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
	* Online language ~~course~~, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.		* 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.'''		* 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.		* 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).		* 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.'''		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.'''

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

2026-08-11T08:53:04Z

Insurance: Medical Claim Module

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 11 August 2026
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	== Insurance: Medical Claim Module ==		== 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.		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.		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.

David Barquero: /* Online language learning */

2026-08-11T08:52:01Z

Online language learning

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:52, 11 August 2026
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	== Online language learning ==		== 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~~.		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 ~~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.		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 ==		== Visa and travel ==

David Barquero: /* Insurance */

2026-08-11T07:42:24Z

Insurance

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 11 August 2026
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	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.		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 ==		== 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.		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.

David Barquero: /* Online language learning */

2025-08-08T12:46:18Z

Online language learning

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 8 August 2025
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	== Online language learning ==		== 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.		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.		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.

David Barquero: Protected "Preparing for your exchange" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

2025-08-08T07:16:55Z

Protected "Preparing for your exchange" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:16, 8 August 2025
(No difference)

David Barquero: /* Managing money abroad */

2025-06-30T11:59:07Z

Managing money abroad

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:59, 30 June 2025
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	* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.		* Expenses in connection with your residence permit.
	* Online language course, which starts approx. 2 months before your departure and is valid for 6 months.		* 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.		* 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.		* 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).		* 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).

David Barquero: /* Expenses paid by the participant */

2025-06-26T12:07:42Z

Expenses paid by the participant

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:07, 26 June 2025
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	for a discussion with your parents:		for a discussion with your parents:

	==== Expenses paid by AFS Switzerland ====		=== 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:		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:

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	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.'''		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 ====		=== 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.		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.

David Barquero: /* Recomended vaccinations */

2025-06-26T09:37:24Z

Recomended vaccinations

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:37, 26 June 2025
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	If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.		If you do not yet have a liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

	== ~~Recomended~~ vaccinations ==		== 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:		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: