Preparing for your exchange

What to pack

Many students have difficulty in deciding what to pack. Furthermore, they have a tendency to pack many things they don't need. To avoid this, take enough time, make a list and discuss it with your parents and with your host parents. One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage are enough. You have to be able to carry your luggage yourself. If you find it difficult to imagine that all you need should fit in one suitcase, imagine that you are only packing for two weeks. Here is a list of tips and things you might want to bring. This is only a guideline and not conclusive:

• Clothing: Teenagers in Switzerland usually wear casual and informal clothes. It is ok in Switzerland to wear the same trousers or sweaters for more than one day, as long as they are not dirty and do not smell.

• Be prepared for both hot and cold weather: You should bring clothing and shoes for both hot and cold weather. A pair of warm shoes/boots and a warm coat/jacket are an absolute must. If you do not own such items and cannot buy them in your home country, make sure, you have enough money to buy them in Switzerland.

• Swimsuit: During the summertime, the Swiss love to swim in the numerous rivers and lakes.

• Umbrella and/or Rain Jacket: The weather can be rainy at any time of the year but especially in the Spring and Autumn.

• Underwear: Pack enough underwear to last at least a week, as most Swiss families do the laundry only once a week. Unlike trousers orsweaters, you are expected to change your underpants and socks every day.

• Slippers: In most Swiss homes, you are expected to take off your shoes. Ask your host family if you can borrow slippers from them or if you should bring them with you.

• Special Gear: Before you pack things that you need only on very few occasions such as hiking boots or a ski outfit, talk to your host family to find out if they can lend you these items.

• Laptop: If you own a laptop or a tablet, bring it with you. It is required at most schools. However, if you do not own one, it should not be a problem to borrow one once you are in Switzerland.

• Mobile Phone: If you don’t have a mobile phone or if you have one that is not compatible with the Swiss mobile phone network, don’t worry. Once you are in Switzerland, you can cborrow a phone from someone and just buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card.

• 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.)

• Credit or debit card and Passport

Managing Money Abroad

It is very important that you talk with your parents about money before the exchange. You will need pocket money. The following paragraphs will give you a realistic range as a basis for a discussion with your parents.