Safety Handbook

Introduction

A primary objective of experiential learning programs, such as those offered by AFS, is to help participants learn through observation, question, dialogue, discussion and experience. From experience, AFS staff and volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn is great but it is not necessarily easy. Participants can encounter complex situations along the way and there is the potential for confusion, fear and misunderstanding. If students are left to their own devices, the consequences could be very distressing.

For these reasons, with the help of host families, the local community, AFS contacts and school personnel, AFS has devised a system of program support for all participants, providing a wide range of supportive activities and services. The purpose is to provide a safety net, a consistently supportive environment in which participants can ask questions, obtain advice and help.

AFS cannot supply all the possible answers but through our support systems; we can help to guide participants towards asking appropriate questions. It is not possible to anticipate all possible situations pertaining to individual safety concerns. Many of these issues are specific to individual countries or parts of a single country.

In general, AFS recommends talking with the host family, AFS local committee members and staff from the host school, soon after the student joins the host family, about any of the information in this guidebook and any question students may have about specific personal issues. AFS suggests that students ask their host family about any issue they are concerned or worried about, as the information about the host country prevalent in movies and in media publications may not be accurate for the entire country or the specific area in which the family lives. Within this context, what follows are some topics and general suggestions.

Safety at home

Your host family will probably not know what you are concerned or worried about. Do not hesitate to ask them questions about safety, e.g. Can I go out at night alone? Are there areas I should avoid? Although there are common safety issues in Switzerland, they may still vary from region to region. Ask your host family about their particular situation.

General safety questions

What should I do if an emergency occurs? Whom should I call?
Where do you keep the emergency telephone numbers?
Do you have first aid equipment? Where is it?
Do you have a fire extinguisher? Where is it?
How do you secure the house?
Do you lock your doors and windows? When do you do that?
Am I going to have a house key?
How should I answer the door when I am alone?
How do I react when a stranger rings the doorbell?

Answering the phone

If you feel uncertain about answering phone calls especially because you have to answer in a foreign language, ask your family: How do I have to respond when answering the phone? What information should I give? What information should I not give?

Safety outside the home

Public transport

It is very common to use public transport in Switzerland. Public transport in Switzerland is very reliable and safe.

However, be careful at night. Try to look for compartments with other people in it rather than being alone in a train carriage. It is also advisable to avoid being alone in train stations at night. Ask your host parents about the situation in your region, as they will know best.

Make sure that you always have a valid ticket. If you do not and get caught, you will get a fine of 90 Swiss Francs (approx. USD 110)! Further offenses will result in increasing fines and entry into a database. Ticket inspectors are usually unsympathetic even if you start crying and tell them a moving story of a lost exchange student who does not yet know how the ticket machine works. Ticket inspection can occur on any transit route at any time, even by plainclothes inspectors; it is best to have your ticket ready for inspection and to be cooperative. Students are responsible for paying any public transport fines issued against the student.

As there are so many trains and buses in Switzerland, most host students can get overwhelmed at the beginning of their exchange. Every year, a few exchange students get lost while using public transport. For this reason, make sure you have your host family's phone number with you when you start taking trains on your own. Do not be embarrassed to call them when you are lost. They will be able to guide you home safely. Transit timetables are often at regular intervals. Its best to consult local schedules at transit stops as service may differ on weekends and during holidays. When hiking in the mountains, its best to memorize the schedule of chairlifts, funiculars and cable cars. Be aware that most chairlift and cable car services can end before the evening, leaving you stranded on a mountain, with a long hike to get back down.

SBB Transit police and security are generally available at major stations and sometimes do inspections of carriages on certain routes, especially during the evening hours. Do not be alarmed if you see security or police and feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. For general travel questions and transit timetables, it is best to consult the SBB mobile app and the SBB website. Additionally, SBB travel centers, located in larger train stations can help you with other issues such as purchasing tickets.

Walking

Walking to and from places is usually safe. However, there are areas where you should be careful at night. Ask your host family about these specific areas, as they know best which places are safe and which are not. We encourage you to let your host parents know whenever you are concerned or frightened. When going out, inform your host family where you are going and how you can be reached and how and when you intend to get back home. Always be skeptical of strangers approaching you for help. Scams and confidience schemes are becoming increasingly common, especially in big cities. Use common sense and never exchange money with strangers who promise to pay you back. In smaller villages and hiking paths it is common to greet strangers on the street with a "Grüezi" or "Salut".

When walking alone late at night, try to walk in streets that are well lit and that have a lot of people. In general, you should take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations. Additionally, the Swiss Mobility app and website can be a useful tool for finding walking, hiking and cycling routes throughout the entire country.

Cycling

In Switzerland, you will see many people riding their bikes going to school, to work or just for fun. You will very likely have the possibility to borrow a bike from someone. Before you ride it in the streets, ask your host family about traffic regulations in Switzerland. They may be different than in your home country. You must always follow traffic laws regarding cycling and always be courteous to others when riding.

Cycling in traffic can be challenging, especially in cities. We suggest that you ask a host family member to accompany you on your first attempts to conquer the Swiss streets with your bicycle. Make sure that your bike has good brakes and functioning lights. This is very important especially in winter because it can get dark very early. If you ride in the dark without a light, this is not only dangerous but you can also be fined. Be aware of changes in weather; cycling can become more challenging or dangerous in wet weather and in freezing temperatures. Brakes may not function as well in wet weather and roads can become dangerously slippery. AFS Switzerland recommends always wearing a helmet when you ride your bike. More information on cycling rules and regulations can be found at [1]

Motor vehicles

AFS participants are not allowed to drive cars. Do not get into a car with strangers. Hitchhiking is strictly forbidden. Participants either driving or hitchhiking will be dismissed from the program and must return home immediately.

The blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Switzerland for drivers is 0.5‰, which equals roughly one glass of beer or wine. Do not get into a car if you feel the driver has drunk more than the amount allowed by law.

Please note that in Switzerland it is compulsory to wear seatbelts for all passangers in a car. You should therefore always fasten your seatbelt automatically when entering a car - even if you will only be travelling a short distance.

Public places

Going to public places and walking around outside is usually very safe. As stated before, you should try to avoid being alone at night in train stations. There are also some other areas you should avoid (e.g. certain areas in Zurich). In general, you are safe if you do what the locals do. Therefore, take your host parents' advice seriously and follow their recommendations.

Weather

Skiing, hiking and cycling are very popular activities and can be amazing experiences. However, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Weather can change surprisingly fast: in a very short time a blue sky can be replaced by fog, snow or rain depending on the season. Remember, weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable and it is therefore dangerous to take unnecessary risks and get lost. It is recommended to download the MeteoSwiss weather app for your phone: [2] It is advised to enable and follow the weather alerts for your region and heed the warnings, especially regarding thunderstorms and flooding. Always stay on marked trails and follow any signs regarding trail closures.

When in the mountains, try not to be alone but rather with your host family or with friends. They will know best, where and when you have to be careful. Always have your cell phone with you. Please note: an activity waiver is required for certain outdoor activities.

Theft

Because Switzerland is generally very safe, this might give you a false sense of security. But theft happens here as it does everywhere in the world; it is wise to be careful:

Ask your host family, the school contact person or your school mates about the situation in your school and your host community.
Make sure you always lock your bicycle. Unfortunately, bicycle theft is very common in Switzerland.
Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
Remember to double check you have all of your belongings before leaving a train or bus.
Do not to leave your wallet, money or other valuables unobserved in school. The best thing is not to take things of great value such as jewellery to school at all.

Authorities and emergency contacts

In Switzerland it is expected that citizens and visitors carry I.D. and/or a passport when out in public. Should the police stop you and you are without I.D, you may be taken in for questioning. This is the decision of the individual police officer.

Occasionally, the police may check and question people in the street. If this happens to you, there is nothing to worry about. Show respect and cooperation with authorities, even though you are innocent of any crime and may think that you are being treated unfairly.

If you do not understand what is being said, tell the police and explain that you are an exchange student. Always carry your residence permit with you. This is important not only in the event of being questioned by authorities but also in the unfortunate event of a personal accident.

In any kind of an emergency (accident, crime etc.) the best is to call the police first. Below, you will find the most important emergency numbers (any abuse of these numbers will be punished with a fine):


Police	117
Fire brigade	118
Ambulance	144
Transit police	0800 117 117
AFS Emergency phone (for use outside of office hours)	079 358 84 56

If something happens, always call your host family, the local contact person or the AFS office to inform them of the situation. Make sure you always carry the emergency card with the important numbers with you.

In case of a national emergency you should follow the advice of the government or the local authorities. AFS Switzerland will immediately contact the students and host families in order to provide the necessary help. However, Switzerland is a very peaceful country and such a case is unlikely to happen.

Drugs & alcohol

Drugs

Unfortunately, drugs, especially marijuana, have become common in certain schools. The availability of drugs does not change the fact that they are illegal and dangerous.

The two most important pieces of advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding this issue:

If someone offers you drugs, say no. AFS has a strict no-tolerance policy regarding cannabis (marijuana) and any other kind of illegal drugs. Usage of or involvement with drugs will result in dismissal from the program and immediate return to the home country.
If you are worried that a friend might have a drug problem, talk to an adult you trust. Share your concerns with your host parents, a local AFS volunteer or a teacher.

Alcohol

According to Swiss law, teenagers, aged 16 and older, are allowed to buy wine and beer but no hard liquor before age 18. There is no specific law that forbids the consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol is part of the everyday culture in Switzerland and will probably be offered to you on many occasions. It is typical for Swiss families to have a glass of wine with dinner. Therefore, it is very important that you learn how to deal with these situations.

Despite the liberal approach to alcohol consumption, never forget that alcohol is a drug. For your own safety, excessive alcohol consumption is forbidden during the AFS program. Under AFS Switzerland rules, excessive alcohol consumption is defined as: consuming more than 2 glasses of wine or beer in one sitting. At official AFS events, alcohol is completely forbidden.

Here are some important facts on the negative effects of alcohol:

Studies have shown that teenagers are more sensitive to alcohol than adults. Additionally, many teenagers tend to overestimate their tolerance to alcohol and think they can handle larger amounts, thus increasing the risk of blackouts and alcohol poisioning.
Alcohol affects your ability to judge situations adequately. You might do things that you regret afterwards. You can also easily be taken advantage of or even become a victim of crime, e.g. theft, sexual abuse.
If you drink too much, you cannot control your movements anymore. The risk of accidents increases substantially.
Excessive consumption can put your health at risk. Alcohol intoxication can be dangerous. Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to vomiting, passing out, blacking out and possibly alcohol poisioning, requiring immidiate medical attention. In the very worst case, alcohol poisioning may result in death.

For your own safety, AFS Switzerland expects you to stick to the following rules:

If you want to try alcohol, that is fine. A glass of wine or beer at a party or during dinner is okay. But do not over-indulge.
If you do not want to try alcohol, that is fine also; never let anyone talk you into drinking alcohol.
Never drink more than two units of alcohol in one sitting (1 unit = a glass of beer or a glass of wine).
No hard alcohol. Do not touch vodka or other hard liquor, also when mixed with soft drinks.
Do not drink more than once a week.
Never drink when you have taken medicine (no matter if prescribed or over-the-counter).
Say no when you do not feel like drinking or if you do not like the taste of alcohol.
Look out for others: Tell your friends to stop if they are being excessive. If you think that a friend has an alcohol problem, share your concerns with an adult you trust.

Any student who violates the above rules risks immediate dismissal from the program and being sent home. If you have any doubts or questions regarding this issue, please do not hesitate to talk to your host family, a local AFS volunteers or a staff member at the AFS office.

Health & wellness

Relationships and sex

Different societies have very different ideas about what is considered acceptable for teenagers when it comes to friendships, relationships and sex. Here are some examples of what is considered acceptable by most Swiss people:

It is common that children and teenagers spend time together at each other's homes in their rooms playing, talking or listening to music.
Friendships between women and men are very common. Having a date with a man or woman does not necessarily mean that he or she is interested in sex.
Holding hands with people of the opposite sex is quite common.
It is acceptable to show affection to a person of the opposite sex in public.
Sex before marriage is accepted by most Swiss people. Therefore, many couples live together without being married and many parents accept overnight visits by their teenage children's boyfriend or girlfriend.
Sex education is a compulsory subject in Swiss schools, including information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.
Homosexuality is legal and widely accepted. Same-sex couples have (almost) the same rights as heterosexual couples. In cities moreso than in villages, it is not unusual to see same-sex couples holding hands and showing affection in public.

HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

AIDS means “Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome“. A cure for this illness has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is transmitted by sexual contact only. HIV is NOT transmitted by contact such as drinking or eating from somebody else's glass or plate, touching, kissing etc. Sexually active participants should use condoms. Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, consistent and correct use of condoms reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The contraceptive pill does NOT protect against HIV or other STDs. For further information, there are many associations in Switzerland that can give you advice. Here are the most important ones with many branches all over Switzerland:

Aids-Hilfe Schweiz, Tel. 044 447 11 11

aids.ch, aids@aids.ch

Fondation Profa, https://www.profa.ch/

https://www.jugend-sexuelle-gesundheit.ch/

Checkpoint Zürich https://www.cpzh.ch/en/

Sexual harassment

Cultures differ in their views of appropriate sexual behaviour and practices of young people. Often clarification of attitudes may be necessary and here again the advice of people you have come to know and trust is very valuable. Knowledge about the people you socialize with is important and this is acquired best through immersing yourself into your host culture. Equally important are your own values and beliefs regarding your behaviour. Do not compromise them, especially not regarding your sexual behaviour. Have the courage to say no at any time!

Especially at the beginning of your exchange, you may be unsure how to interpret certain situations. You may ask yourself if you are being sexually harassed or if a particular person's behaviour would simply be considered friendly by Swiss standards. Trust your own instinct and feelings. If something makes you feel uncomfortable, it is important that you take your feelings seriously and share them with your host siblings/ parents and friends. In many cases, they will be able to help you understand if someone's behaviour is appropriate or not and give you useful advice. You can also turn to teachers at school, local AFS volunteers or the AFS staff at the office for advice or help.

Unfortunately, sexual harassment can happen in any country. Especially young women are subject to harassment, e.g. if a man should whistle after you, you should avoid eye contact with him. If a car pulls up beside you, do not get in. If you realize that someone is following you, try to go to a public place (e.g. shop, restaurant) and ask someone for help. If you experience a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, the most important thing is to share it with an adult you trust. Rest assured that AFS volunteers and staff will take you seriously, do not be embarrassed or afraid!

Other important issues

Laws in Switzerland

AFS students are subject to the law of the host country. Neither AFS nor the national government of the students' home country has the ability to protect the student from punishment with respect to drugs, thefts and other illegal offences. We recommend reading the foreign travel advice about Switzerland published by your foreign ministry to find out if there are important differences between the laws in your home country and Switzerland.

Liability insurance

AFS Switzerland strongly recommends taking out a liability insurance which covers damages and injuries caused to third parties. If you break something or cause injury to someone, the costs can be enormous. It is very important that you have an insurance for such cases as these costs are not covered by AFS.

If you do not yet have liability insurance, look for options in your home country before the program starts.

Uninsured activities

Some activites are excluded from AFS's insurance. These activities include but are not limited to: hang gliding, paragliding, parachuting, piloting and acting as the crew in an aircraft. You are not allowed to conduct any of these activites unless you have the explicit permission of AFS Switzerland.

Weapons

Civilians are generally prohibited from carrying firearms in public unless they have a special licence. However, any Swiss man who is found eligible has to complete mandatory military or civilian service. Most military conscripts have occasional training sessions until they have fulfilled their duty around the age of 30. Between training sessions, they have the option keep their service rifle at home. Do not be afraid if you see a weapon in your host family‘s cupboard or if you see soldiers with their service rifles in public. It is also possible that you will see people in civilian clothes, with a military service rifle, on their way to the compulsory annual shooting practice or to shooting competitions. In rural areas, shooting at ranges and hunting are common activities and some walking trails may be temporarily closed off as a precaution.

Conclusion

The best advice AFS Switzerland can give you regarding issues of personal safety is the following:

Learn the language as quickly as possible in order to be able to understand what is going on around you.
Get to know your host culture well through questions, dialogue and discussion with your host family, peers, AFS local contacts, AFS camp leaders etc.
Take any concerns from your host family and school seriously and follow their advice.
And remember: express your concerns!