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Latest revision as of 09:16, 8 August 2025

Welcome to Switzerland!

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

About Switzerland

Preparing for your exchange

Your exchange experience

AFS Rules & Policies

Rules of AFS Switzerland

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+[[File:AFS Logo-Switzerland.png|thumb]]
 === <strong>Welcome to Switzerland!</strong> ===
-<strong>This is a Guide for Exchange Students</strong>
+This guide is a comprehensive resource for AFS participants coming to Switzerland.
-Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
-== About Switzerland ==
-* General Information
-* Geography
-* Climate
-* Languages
-** Official Languages
-** Swiss German vs High German
-* [[mediawikiwiki:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings|Configuration settings list]]
-* [[mediawikiwiki:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ|MediaWiki FAQ]]
-* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/mediawiki-announce.lists.wikimedia.org/ MediaWiki release mailing list]
-* [[mediawikiwiki:Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources|Localise MediaWiki for your language]]
-* [[mediawikiwiki:Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Combating_spam|Learn how to combat spam on your wiki]]
-== Your Exchange ==
-=== Before your Arrival ===
-* …
-* …
-During your stay in stay
-== AFS Switzerland ==
-AFS Switzerland hosts about 100 participants each year and sends approximately 200 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 ===
+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.
-Address:<blockquote>[https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dry4wFjbfpHBZrY6A AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland]
-[https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dry4wFjbfpHBZrY6A Birmendorferstrasse 5]
+== [[AFS Switzerland]] ==
-[https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dry4wFjbfpHBZrY6A 8004 Zürich]</blockquote>Phone: <blockquote>044 218 19 19</blockquote>E-Mail: <blockquote>hallo@afs.ch</blockquote>Office hours:<blockquote>Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs. </blockquote>
+* [[AFS Switzerland#National office|National office]]
+* [[AFS Switzerland#Local chapters|Local chapters]]
+** [[AFS Switzerland#AFS emergency phone|AFS emergency phone]]
-=== Local Chapters ===
+== [[Switzerland|About Switzerland]] ==
-AFS Switzerland operates through '''20 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.
+* [[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]]
-Despite being locally managed, the chapters coordinate with the national AFS office to ensure the smooth implementation of exchange programs across Switzerland.
+* [[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]]
-=== Emergency Phone ===
+== [[Your exchange experience]] ==
-== Safety Tips ==
+* [[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]]
-=== Safety at home ===
+== [[AFS Rules & Policies]] ==
-==== General Safety Questions ====
+* [[AFS Rules & Policies#Rules of AFS Switzerland|Rules of AFS Switzerland]]
-==== Answering the phone ====
+== [[AFS Switzerland travel rules]] ==
-==== Internet and Social Media ====
+* [[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 Outside the home ===
+== [[Safety Handbook]] ==
-Transportation Safety
-=== Authorities and Emergency Contacts ===
+* [[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]]