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Revision as of 17:24, 16 March 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

National Office
Volunteers
Local Chapters

About Switzerland

General Information
Geography
Climate
Languages
- Swiss German vs High German
Swiss culture & Traditions
Practical Information

Preparing for your exchange

Getting to know your host family
Online Language Learning
What to pack

Your exchange experience

Arrival & First Days
Living with a host family
School life in Switzerland
Making friends & Social life

AFS Rules & Policies

AFS Rules
Travel Policies

Safety Handbook

Safety at home
General Safety Questions
Answering the phone
Internet and Social Media
Safety Outside the home
Transportation Safety
Authorities and Emergency Contacts

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == [[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:<blockquote>[https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dry4wFjbfpHBZrY6A AFS Intercultural Programs Switzerland]
-[https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dry4wFjbfpHBZrY6A Birmendorferstrasse 5]
-[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>
-=== 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.
-*
-=== Emergency Phone ===
+* National Office
+* Volunteers
+* Local Chapters
 == About Switzerland ==
@@ Line 31: / Line 15: @@
 * [[General Information#Climate|Climate]]
 * [[General Information#Languages|Languages]]
-** Official Languages
 ** [[General Information#Swiss German vs. High German|Swiss German vs High German]]
+* Swiss culture & Traditions
+* Practical Information
-== Your Exchange ==
+== Preparing for your exchange ==
-=== Before your Arrival ===
+* Getting to know your host family
+* Online Language Learning
+* What to pack
-* …
+== Your exchange experience ==
-* …
-During your stay in stay
+* Arrival & First Days
+* Living with a host family
+* School life in Switzerland
+* Making friends & Social life
-== [[Safety Tips]] ==
+== AFS Rules & Policies ==
-=== Safety at home ===
+* AFS Rules
+* Travel Policies
-==== General Safety Questions ====
+*
-==== Answering the phone ====
-==== Internet and Social Media ====
-=== Safety Outside the home ===
+== [[Safety Tips|Safety Handbook]] ==
-Transportation Safety
-=== Authorities and Emergency Contacts ===
+* Safety at home
+* General Safety Questions
+* Answering the phone
+* Internet and Social Media
+* Safety Outside the home
+* Transportation Safety
+* Authorities and Emergency Contacts