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Welcome to Switzerland!

This is a Guide for Exchange Students

This wiki serves as a comprehensive resource for AFS participants coming to Switzerland. It provides essential information to help students navigate their exchange experience, from preparation and arrival to daily life, school, cultural adaptation, and re-entry home.

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

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 hrs.

Local Chapters

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.

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

About Switzerland

• General Information
• Geography
• Climate
• Languages
  • Official Languages
  • Swiss German vs High German

• Configuration settings list
• MediaWiki FAQ
• MediaWiki release mailing list
• Localise MediaWiki for your language
• Learn how to combat spam on your wiki

Your Exchange

Before your Arrival

• …
• …

During your stay in stay

Safety Tips

Safety Outside the home

Transportation Safety