Your exchange experience - Revision history

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

2026-08-11T09:28:58Z

Language course for year students

David Barquero: /* Timeline - Year students */

2026-08-11T09:16:13Z

Timeline - Year students

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:16, 11 August 2026
Line 9:		Line 9:
	\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival		\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival
	\|-		\|-
	\| Online Language Course \|\| 4~~-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian~~		\| Online Language Course Flying Teachers \|\| German speaking part of Switzerland: About 4 months in small groups
	\|-		\|-
	\| Orientation Camp \|\| Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.		\|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.		\| 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.		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.		\|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		\| Departure \|\| July/January
Line 30:		Line 36:
	\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival		\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival
	\|-		\|-
	\| Orientation Camp \|\| Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.		\| 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.		\| 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.		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.		\|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		\| Departure \|\| January/July
Line 49:		Line 58:
	\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival		\| First Day of School \|\| 1st Monday after arrival
	\|-		\|-
	\| Orientation Camp \|\| Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.		\| 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.		\| Chapter Activities \|\| Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.

David Barquero: Changed protection settings for "Your exchange experience" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

2025-08-08T07:16:39Z

Changed protection settings for "Your exchange experience" ([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: Protected "Your exchange experience" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

2025-08-08T07:16:31Z

Protected "Your exchange experience" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite))

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

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

2025-07-17T09:13:28Z

Language course for year students

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 17 July 2025
Line 72:		Line 72:

	=== Language course for year students ===		=== 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.		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 ===		=== First school day in your host school ===

David Barquero: /* Your host school */ edited picking classes; added to manners and greetings

2025-07-17T08:50:53Z

Your host school: edited picking classes; added to manners and greetings

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 17 July 2025
Line 136:		Line 136:

	==== Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available? ====		==== 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.		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:		The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:
Line 236:		Line 236:

	=== Meeting and greeting people ===		=== 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 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.		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.		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 ===		=== Table manners ===

David Barquero at 08:33, 17 July 2025

2025-07-17T08:33:31Z

David Barquero: Changed timelines

2025-07-17T08:23:56Z

Changed timelines

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:23, 17 July 2025
Line 15:		Line 15:
	\| Chapter Activities \|\| Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year.		\| 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.		You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
	\|-
	~~\| Spring/Autumn Camp \|\| Optional week-long camp open to year students revolving around volunteer work in the mountains.~~
	~~The fee for the camp (approx. CHF 150) is not included in the program fee.~~
	\|-		\|-
	\| Evaluation Camp \|\| 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.		\| Evaluation Camp \|\| 6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
	\|-		\|-
	\| Departure \|\| July/January		\| Departure \|\| July/January
	You will receive departure information from AFS Switzerland a few weeks		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.
	before departure
	\|}		\|}

Line 42:		Line 38:
	\|-		\|-
	\| Departure \|\| January/July		\| Departure \|\| January/July
	You will receive departure information from AFS Switzerland a few weeks		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.
	before departure
	\|}		\|}

Line 59:		Line 54:
	You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.		You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
	\|-		\|-
	\| Evaluation Camp \|\| ~~1 week before your departure.~~		\| 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.
	~~All~~ Trimester students in Switzerland ~~come together~~ to ~~evaluate their experience~~.
	\|-		\|-
	\| Departure \|\| End of November/ Beginning of December		\| Departure \|\| End of November/ Beginning of December
	You will receive departure information from AFS Switzerland a few weeks		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.
	before departure
	\|}		\|}

David Barquero: /* Your Support Network: The Role of the PCP & FCP */

2025-07-08T07:33:18Z

Your Support Network: The Role of the PCP & FCP

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:33, 8 July 2025
Line 191:		Line 191:
	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.		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 ==		== 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).		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).

David Barquero: /* Host family values and rules */

2025-07-08T07:30:00Z

Host family values and rules

@@ Line 190: / Line 190: @@
 ==== 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.
 == Making friends ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 11 August 2026
Line 80:		Line 80:
	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.		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 ===		=== German 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.		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 ===		=== First school day in your host school ===
Line 169:		Line 171:

	==== Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.? ====		==== 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.		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)		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)
Line 192:		Line 194:

	==== Can I get academic credit for my study abroad? ====		==== 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.		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 ==		== Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP ==
Line 364:		Line 366:
	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.		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 ===		=== Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, 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.		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 ~~Facebook~~ account?		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 ===		=== Once it is published, you have no control ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:33, 17 July 2025
Line 72:		Line 72:

	=== Language course for year students ===		=== Language course for year students ===
	Many year students will attend an intensive language course, depending on their level of German, ~~French or Italian~~.		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 ===		=== First school day in your host school ===
Line 89:		Line 89:
	* 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 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 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 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 wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
Line 242:		Line 243:

	=== Table manners ===		=== 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.		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.		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.