Your exchange experience

Your time in Switzerland

Timeline - Year students


Arrival Day	August/February
First Day of School	1st Monday after arrival
Online Language Course	4-6 Weeks depending on language level of German, French or Italian
Orientation Camp	Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
Chapter Activities	Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year. You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
Evaluation Camp	6 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
Departure	July/January You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.

Timeline - Semester students


Arrival Day	August/February
First Day of School	1st Monday after arrival
Orientation Camp	Mid-September/Mid-March over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
Chapter Activities	Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year. You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
Evaluation Camp	6-8 weeks prior to departure, over the weekend. Organized by regional volunteers.
Departure	January/July You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.

Timeline - Trimester students

Arrival Day	August Exception: Students from non-Schengen countries arrive 3 weeks later (due to visa regulations).
First Day of School	1st Monday after arrival
Orientation Camp	Mid-September over the weekend. Each camp is organized by regional volunteers.
Chapter Activities	Each chapter organizes several activities for students and host families throughout the year. You will receive the information about these events directly from the chapter volunteers.
Evaluation Camp	Trimester students coming with the peace program have the hosting evaluation camp the last three/four days of their exchange. They leave Switzerland at the end of November to fly to Brussels where they have a final camp organized by EFIL.
Departure	End of November/ Beginning of December You will receive departure information from your home country and AFS Switzerland a few weeks before departure. Return flight tickets are booked by sending countries, please reach out to your sending organization if you have questions regarding your return trip.

Arrival day and first weeks

Most students arrive on a Friday. AFS volunteers and staff will meet you at the airport in Zurich. Many host families will come to the airport to meet their new family member. If your host family cannot be there, AFS volunteers will accompany you from the airport to your host family's home.

When you get to your host family's home, there will be some important AFS documents waiting for you. Take your time to read through everything carefully and to discuss it with your host family. Take the card in the appendix of this booklet and fill in the important numbers and addresses together.

Do not forget to give your welcome gift(s). Your gifts are the perfect icebreaker and will allow you to have a great start with your host family.

If you come from a different time zone, use the first weekend at your host family's home to get rid of the jet lag

Eat and sleep when Swiss people do in order to get into the Swiss rhythm as soon as possible. You will need your energy for all the new things that await you in the first few weeks.

Language course for year students

Many year-program students will attend an intensive language course, hosted by Flying Teachers. Online language courses are held twice per week, typically in the evening. Your course dates will depend on your language level from the placement test.

First school day in your host school

If your classmates seem a little indifferent at first, please don't take this personally. Swiss teenagers are often quite reserved at the beginning. But once they get to know you, they will open up.

Orientation camp

After a few weeks, you will attend the AFS orientation camp over the weekend. You will get together with around 20 other AFS students who are placed in the same region. The camps are organized by AFS volunteers. Most of them are former exchange students who know exactly how it feels to be new in a foreign country.

During the camp, you will have the opportunity to share your first impressions of Swiss life, ask all the questions on your mind and find out what other host students have experienced so far.

Your host family and you

AFS host families are like families everywhere, each one is different. The difference between two families in Switzerland might be as big as the difference between your home country and Switzerland itself.

Although there is no such thing as the typical AFS host family, the following is true for all of them:

Your host family wants you to live with them. They want to get to know you and learn about your country. They want to teach you about their way of life and they hope you will like living with them.
Your host family expects you to show interest in them and their lives and they are more than happy to answer your questions regarding Swiss culture and politics.
Your host family wants to engage with you, don't hide in your room after meals and on weekends.
Your host family wants you to be a true family member. This means that you will share the work and responsibilities within the family, follow family rules and consider the family when you make plans. Always remember that an exchange is not an ego project.
Your host family wants to help you while you are in Switzerland. So don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask for their advice.
Your host family is not perfect, just as you are not perfect. You both have to learn many things from and about each other. Assume good intentions and be patient with yourself and with them.

And please always remember: Your host family is not paid. They receive no money for having you in their home, they do it because they like the idea of intercultural exchange and therefore expect you to participate actively in their family life

Host family values and rules

Because every family is unique, everyone has its own customs and family rules. For you, it might be difficult to understand these rules at first, especially the unspoken ones. For the host family members, the family rules seem so natural that they might not even perceive them as rules. Dialogue is very important for you and your host family to learn from and get used to each other. So please ask if you don't understand a behavior or a rule and let them know how you do things at home. Swiss families will often have household rules regarding cell phones/mobile devices and their usage. It is common for family members to leave their phones in a common area overnight. Your host family may ask you to follow these device rules and to limit mobile phone usage around bedtime.

Your host school

Please keep in mind that the AFS program is an academic program. It may be challenging for you to follow the classes at first and you will need to take responsibility and proactively reach out for help if you need it. Non-attendance at school and/or misbehavior can lead to the expulsion from the school and the AFS program.

Many host students find school academically very challenging and they find it hard to make friends at school. Being an exchange student does not automatically make you an attraction. Many Swiss schools have several exchange students every year. Additionally, Swiss students have the reputation that they are quite reserved.

Do not take this personally. It does not mean that your classmates are not interested in getting to know you; they are just used to getting to know someone slowly.

Frequently asked questions

What type of school will I be enrolled in?

The majority of exchange students will be placed in Baccalaureate Schools or in Specialized Middle Schools. Sometimes, AFS students may also be placed in the Lower Secondary Level, depending on the age of the student and the school situation in the area of his/her host community.

Baccalaureate schools are academically competitive high schools that prepare students for university studies. They offer a broad general education and are divided into several sections (ancient languages, modern languages, scientific, commercial etc.).

How does the grading system work?

Most Swiss schools use the following grading system:

Grading System
6	Excellent
5	Good
4	Satisfactory
3	Failing (unsatisfactory)
2	Failing (poor)
1	Failling (very poor)

In what school year will I be enrolled?

Usually, exchange students are placed in the 10th or 11th school year. AFS Switzerland can neither guarantee a particular level nor a particular school.

Will I be able to choose my classes? What classes are available?

Typically, exchange students cannot choose their classes. Although students must sign an education agreement and indicate preferred subjects, schools are not obliged to follow these requests. Exceptions can be made for foreign language classes. Exchange students are often exempted from foreign language classes if they have little or no knowledge of the subject matter. They can use the time to do homework instead. In some schools, there might be the opportunity to attend foreign language classes with pupils from a lower grade.

The following core subjects are compulsory in the majority of schools:

First national language (German, French or Italian, depending on the region)
Second national language
Third national language, English or an ancient language (Latin or Greek)
Mathematics
Natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Humanities and social sciences (History, Geography, Economy and Law)
Visual arts and/or music
Sports

What do the teachers expect from me?

Generally, exchange students are expected to participate actively in class, do the assigned homework and write exams. Nobody expects you to excel. The teachers know that Swiss schools are academically challenging and that it takes time before you know enough German, French or Italian to follow the classes.

Nonetheless, teachers want to see you give your best. If you do not, they will soon conclude that you are not interested at all and might start to ignore you. Also, Swiss teachers expect a high level of independence from their students. Even though it usually is not explicitly said, you are supposed to catch up on anything you did not quite get in class.

The first few months in school can be very frustrating because you cannot follow the lessons and might have the impression that you are not making any progress. If this is the case, talk about your feelings with a teacher, your host family or AFS volunteers. Often, it helps if you concentrate on two or three subjects instead of ten. Try it and you will soon realize that you are making progress. This will strengthen your self-confidence and your motivation.

In what language will the classes be taught?

The classes are usually taught in the native language, which is German, French or Italian. Special cases are “immersion classes”, where some subjects are taught in English.

Will I need to buy a uniform? Books? Other school supplies? Expenses for excursions, school projects etc.?

There is no need for uniforms in Switzerland. Exchange students have to buy or borrow the books used in school. AFS Switzerland will reimburse books (excluding dictionaries, reading and exercise books) at the end of the year as long as the students can present the receipts and the books are in good condition so that they can be used again.

Other school material such as pencils, writing pads, copies etc. must be paid for by the students themselves. Expenses for excursions, special visits at theaters, museums etc and project weeks are also to be paid by students. (see: Expenses Paid by the Participant)

Are extra-curricular activities available? Sports? Music? Art?

Since lessons cover most of the day, there are not many extra-curricular activities offered by schools. A few extra-curricular activities might be offered, such as sports and school band but they vary from school to school and cannot be guaranteed. Most Swiss students get involved in sports and extra-curricular activities through clubs and associations outside of school. Do not hesitate to ask your host family and/or AFS volunteers about the possibilities in your region.

When does the school year begin and end?

The exact beginning and ending of the school year differs regionally. Generally, the school year runs from mid-August / beginning of September until the end of June / mid July. In addition to long summer vacations of five to six weeks in July/ August, pupils have one to two weeks in Autumn, two weeks at Christmas/ New Year, one to two weeks in winter and one to two weeks in spring. Check out the website of your host school to find out the exact dates of the vacations.

What Is a typical school day? How many classes per day?

The school week lasts from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start at 8 a.m. and may last till 6 p.m., although one afternoon is normally off. On the whole, pupils have to attend approx. 35 lessons per week, each lesson lasting 45 minutes.

The breaks between classes last from 5 to 15 minutes. Lunch break is 1 - 2 hours.

Students are regularly given homework in each subject and are frequently tested on the material that has been covered in class. If you are not sure about what homework is expected please ask the teachers.

Can I get an official transcript? A certificate of attendance?

Most schools give a certificate of attendance to exchange students but not an official transcript of grades. The reason for this is the difficulty to grade exchange students due to their reduced language knowledge. The decision, however, lies with the school and often depends on the commitment of the student. There is no guarantee given by AFS Switzerland.

Can I get academic credit for my study abroad?

Obtaining academic credit cannot be guaranteed. The amount and type of credit you receive is determined by your local high school. It is important that you talk with your teachers and guidance counsellor before you depart from Switzerland to see what you need in order to be granted credit. Be sure to keep a copy of any formal grades or transcripts you receive from your host school. It is your responsibility to obtain the documents from your host school regarding your attendance and grades before you return home. AFS Switzerland cannot and will not organize this for you after you have completed the program.

Your support network: the role of the PCP & FCP

To help you feel safe, supported and connected during your AFS experience, each exchange student is assigned a Participant Contact Person (PCP), while each host family receives a Family Contact Person (FCP).

The PCP and FCP are in contact with each other and with the AFS office. Together, they help make sure that both you and your host family feel supported and can work through any challenges as a team.

Your Participant Contact Person (PCP)

Your PCP is usually a young AFS returnee, who understands what it's like to live in a different country and culture. Their main role is to support you; they are here to help you adjust to life in Switzerland, to offer a listening ear and to be your first point of contact if you have questions or concerns.

Your PCP is also the link between you, your host family and the AFS office. They write monthly reports to keep us informed about how you are doing and let us know about any challenges or needs that arise.

Your PCP will:

Check in with you at least once a month, preferably in person
Offer friendship, support and practical advice
Help you understand and adjust to Swiss culture

If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, they may contact you by phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are preferred whenever possible.

You can speak with your PCP in English or another shared language at the beginning. However, after 3 to 6 months, you should try to speak with them in the local language: German if you’re living in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, or French if you’re in Romandie. This helps your language skills grow and supports your integration.

The Family Contact Person (FCP)

Your host family also has a volunteer contact person, called the Family Contact Person. The FCP helps your host family navigate their role and supports them if they have questions or concerns about the exchange experience.

Making friends

Where and how you make friends will probably be different from what you are used to. Young people in Switzerland tend to have fewer but closer friends. One of the best places to make friends is your class or join a local club or association. Avoid staying only with other exchange students and persons that speak your native language. Having local friends will help you understand the Swiss way of living. It will also helps you with your language skills.

Classmates

The class, which is typically 25 students, stays together for all lessons.

Forget all you know about foreign exchange students in your home country, because in Switzerland there is no glamour attached to this position and the best you can strive for is to be accepted as “one of the others“. If you find the reception from your classmates to be cold, it is because they are reluctant by nature and do not spontaneously accept a stranger into the group. But you will invariably get a warm response if you take the initiative of being friendly and many are only waiting to be asked to help you!

Leisure activities

Although education is considered very important, Swiss parents want their children to also spend time with friends and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as scouts, music or sport. There are a lot of clubs for all kinds of activities or hobbies. To become a true Swiss, you should join a club or a team. This is an excellent way to meet people with similar interests, to build friendships and to improve your language skills.

It is common for teenagers to visit friends, go to the movies, concerts etc. during their free time. Don't expect your host parents to be your chauffeur though. You will be expected to organize yourself and use public transport to get around.

Many families do something together on weekends. Plans are usually discussed at the family table and you are welcome to make suggestions. Don‘t expect your host parents to cover all the costs for an outing or for family vacations, however; it is very common to share the costs. Discuss the topic of activities and expenditures with your host family.

Religious practice and attitudes

Switzerland has no official state religion but most of the cantons recognize the Roman Catholic Church and the (Protestant) Swiss Reformed Church as official churches.

Around 70 percent of the population belong to one of these two Christian churches. Around 20 percent are not affiliated to any religious community. The remaining 10 percent belong to many different Muslim, Christian, Jewish or other religious communities.

The importance of religion depends very much on where you are placed and even more on the individual family. In some (usually rural) regions, religious events play an important role in the community. In others, churches are more important as architectural heritage than as a place of worship.

Some host families go to church regularly and actively participate in their religious community, others see themselves as religious but never go to church. Talk to your host family to find out if religious services and celebrations are an important part of their family life. Whatever your religious background is, being open with your host family can lead to interesting discussions and you can learn from each other. In the end, it is up to you to what extent you want to be involved but if you are open to it, it is certainly a good way to show that you want to be part of the family and that you respect the things important to them.

Good manners

Good and bad manners are not universal. What is perceived as decent and appropriate depends a great deal on the cultural context. Some behaviors that might be perfectly polite in your own country can be perceived as impolite in Switzerland and vice versa.

Meeting and greeting people

In Switzerland, its common to shake hands when greeting people in a formal setting. In informal settings, its common to hug friends and family members when greeting or saying goodbye. When arriving at social events or parties, it's traditional to greet every person individually. When leaving, you should also say goodbye to everyone.

In the French speaking part and more and more in the German speaking part too, you'll also see people kissing each other on both cheeks, which for them does not have any good-bye a lot more than you are accustomed to.

Say “guten morgen”, “bonjour” or “buongiorno” when you first see your family in the morning. No need to shake hands around the breakfast table, though – and say good-bye when you leave the house. Say good night to everyone before you go to bed. Furthermore, if you meet friends or family members always ask them how they are doing and what they did today, last weekend, last week etc. It is considered polite to show interest in somebody‘s life and it also helps to start a conversation.

Table manners

For many Swiss families, meal times – especially dinner – are a time for the family to be together, exchange the news of the day or talk about plans for holidays etc. Therefore it is important that everyone is there on time. It can be seen as disrespectful to leave the table early while your host family is still conversing.

Usually someone will say “en Guete”, “bon appétit” or “buon appetito”, which means “enjoy your meal” as the starting signal. You should try everything you are offered before stating you do not like something. And always eat what is on your plate.

One good way of showing you are not a guest but a family member is helping to clear the table and do the dishes without being asked. Saying “s‘isch guet gsi”, “c‘était très bon” or “era delizioso” (“the meal was very good”) at the end of a meal will surely be appreciated by the cook

Don’ts

It is considered bad manners to talk with your mouth full, to chew with an open mouth and to drink or eat noisily! Also do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. If you have to leave early, ask if you are permitted to leave the table as an exception. Additionally, many families forbid the use of mobile phones during meals, it is often considered impolite to pull out your phone at the table, even if you are finished with the meal.

Typically Swiss?

Swiss people sometimes do not know what is typically Swiss. For them, this is just the way you do things and they may not think about that somewhere else in the world, people might do things differently. To find out what is „typically Swiss“ you could tell your host family and friends how things work in your home and ask how things work here and discuss why this could be. Former exchange students are far more competent to tell you about typical Swiss habits. Before you can start to make you're your own observations, here is a collection of observations from your predecessors. Have fun!

Health and wellbeing: highs and lows

During your stay in Switzerland, you will go through different emotional stages. Being in a foreign country with a new home, new friends and a new family can be an emotional rollercoaster.

It is important to know that ups and downs are normal. Most students experience them one way or the other. However, the timing and the intensity of the ups and downs are different for every student. Do talk about it with people around you so they can help you deal with it. There is no shame in having a difficult time and even if it‘s not easy, do not be afraid to speak up.

Homesickness

An exchange experience is exciting but also challenging. Your new life in Switzerland can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. At the beginning, you cannot express yourself in the foreign language as you would like to; habits and behaviors may seem strange; you may be tired because of the many new impressions or you may sometimes feel like you are in the wrong place.

Feeling homesick is absolutely understandable and completely normal when leaving your safe haven for this adventure abroad. Do not let it get to you! If this happens to you, do not tell only your parents back home. If your parents know that you are homesick or feel uncomfortable in your host family whereas nobody in Switzerland knows about it, they will be worried. However, the situation itself will not change.

What you definitely should do: Share your feelings with people in Switzerland.

Talk to your host family or to your local AFS participant contact person (PCP).

Importance of learning the Language

Learning the language can be a very frustrating task. You will probably find it difficult to believe that the AFSers before you have ever succeeded. But they did and you will, too. However, it does not come by itself. Learning a language takes constant, conscientious effort and it takes courage. Do not be afraid of having a bad accent or of making mistakes. Get out there and talk!

Particularly in the beginning, you will be tempted to communicate with people in English. It is so much easier and you will always find the Swiss eager to show you their talent (or lack of) in speaking English. But think about the following: As long as you talk to people in English, you will only get to know their “English thoughts”. In order to really understand what people think or feel, one needs to talk to them in German, French or Italian.

So, in a sense, the success of your stay depends very much on you learning the language; being able to communicate with your family and friends, keeping up in school, taking part in everyday Swiss life. You will miss out on so much if you do not learn the local language!

If you need support with your German, French or Italian homework, please do not hesitate to ask for help. Your host family, your classmates or your AFS participant contact person (PCP) will be happy to help you. Start „Busuu“ from the moment you receive this booklet.

Weight gain and weight loss

Some claim that the abbreviation AFS stands for “another fat student”. Gaining weight is an absolutely normal process during your stay abroad. Different food, a different eating routine and the constant temptation of something new to try all play a part. Do not worry and carry your additional pounds with pride. You will lose them again a few months after the program, just by being back home and in the everyday life your body is used to.

While most students gain weight during their stay in Switzerland, there are also some who will lose a few pounds. You will probably end up walking and biking a lot more than usual. Many Swiss families also eat a lot of vegetables and less meat than in many other countries and hardly ever any deep-fried food.

While some weight loss is normal, big changes might be a reason to get a check up. Talk to your host family or PCP if you are worried.

Share your feelings – contact AFS support

For you, the most important local AFS volunteer is your participant contact person (PCP). In Swiss-German, we call the participant contact person „Gotti“ or „Götti“. In French, we call them „marraine“ or „parrain“, which means godmother or godfather.

They are usually a couple of years older than yourself and has been abroad just like you. They can understand your emotions and knows about the difficulties, because they have been in the same situation. If everything works out well, your Gotti/Götti will be a great friend who listens to you when you feel the need to talk about frustrations at school or problems with a host sibling. In fact, in times of trouble, whenever they might arise, your contact person is the first person to turn to.

Just as you have your AFS godfather or godmother (contact person), your host family also has a local counselor (FCP – Family contact person). This is usually a former host mother or host father. The family's counselor and your counselor work together as a team to make sure that you and your host family have a good time together.

The most important thing is that you talk about your problems. Address the problem when it is still small. Problems that you try to ignore have a tendency to become bigger and bigger. And big problems are a lot more difficult to resolve than small ones. We know that for some among you it takes a lot of courage to talk about personal things to people you have not known for long and who speak a different language. But we encourage you to be brave! Based on many years of experience and the feedbacks from many exchange students before you, we are sure that you won't regret it.

In case of an emergency

If you need immediate assistance and are unable to reach any of your local volunteer contacts, please contact the staff at the national office directly. On arrival, you will receive the contact information of the responsible staff member and a 24-hour number for emergencies during non-business hours. Make sure you always have this number with you. In any general emergency, please call 112. This is the general emergeny number in Switzerland.

Host family changes

“So, if I don`t like my host family I can always change, right?“ This is not correct. A host family change will only occur after a process of discussion that involves you, your host parents and the local counselors. Issues and misunderstandings that were causing tension can often be clarified during this process and the parties involved might agree that a change is not necessary. Through this communication process, the relationship between you and your host family is often strengthened as you work out your differences and begin to understand each other better.

Working out differences and learning about different cultures and customs, by both the participant and the host family, is one of the goals of the AFS program, so do not be afraid to talk to your host family or your local counselor about any concerns you have regarding your new living situation.

You should also not be surprised if someone in the family has some concerns about having a new family member in the house. It takes time and good communication skills to get to know one another and to become integrated into a new family. Be patient and remember to share your feelings, even if you are not used to doing this in your home country. Open communication from the very beginning of your AFS experience has the potential to make it one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of your lifetime.

Contacting parents and friends

Especially in the first few months, it is hard for you to concentrate on your new life if you are in constant contact with your friends and family back home. To be constantly reminded of those you are missing can make it extremely difficult to arrive in Switzerland – not physically but emotionally.

Frequent contact and communication with family and friends back home can have a negative impact on your immersion and cultural adjustment process, it can lead to homesickness and to frustrations on the host family's side because they interpret the frequent contact as a sign that you do not want to spend time with them.

It is difficult for every student to find a good balance between their old and new life during the course of the exchange experience. The suggestions below have proved helpful to former exchange students to keep both their host family and their parents back home happy and also to overcome difficult moments and homesickness:

Especially in the first months, refrain from spontaneous contacts with your friends and family back home. Plan phone calls and Skype conversations. Do not talk more than 30 minutes and not more than once a month.
Write e-mails or even old-fashioned letters instead.
Limit your time online. Do not spend more than 30 minutes per day on the Internet. Time passes very quickly if you read all your friends' Facebook posts and chat 47 While You Are Here with them on WhatsApp etc. – time better spent talking to your host family or even just watching a Swiss TV show.
Disconnect – turn off push notifications on your mobile phone, leave it in your room when you are in the living room or having a meal with your host family etc.
Write down your impressions, hopes and concerns in a diary.
Talk to people in Switzerland. Tell your host family, your classmates or your AFS counselor how you feel. Tell them what you miss and what you find difficult. This takes courage but it is worth it! Not only will you be proud of yourself for opening up. It will also allow the people around you to get to know you. This builds trust and deepens the relationship.
Get out of your room! Accept invitations offered to you, even if you are not in the mood. A walk with your host mother and the dog? Shopping with your host sibling? An invitation to play soccer with some classmates? Seize every opportunity!

Money traps

Many former exchange students have had experiences with what we call “money traps“. This means, they spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary. Therefore, we asked them to put together some useful advice for the next generation. The following suggestions from your predecessors will help you to make wise decisions and use your money well, rather than making the same mistakes they have made.

Make a budget

It takes a while to understand how expensive something is in a different country and a different currency. So try not to spend all the money you have in the first two months but make a budget! For many students it is the first time they have to do something like this, so ask your host family and AFS volunteers for their opinion and for help.

Avoid expensive mobile phone plans

Some prior exchange students spent almost all their pocket money on mobile phones. Usually, phone companies offer fancy new phones for almost no money but only if you make an expensive 12-month contract. Once signed, there is no way to get out of this contract.

Therefore: Do not sign a mobile phone contract, go for a prepaid option! This way, you always know how much you are spending and are not throwing away your money on things you do not need. There are a lot of good prepaid offers. Discuss them with your host family and AFS volunteers to find the best solution for you.

Drink tap water

No Swiss teenager buys bottled water. Tap water is of good quality and you can have it everywhere for free. So all you need is an empty (reusable) bottle that you can refill everywhere.

Compare prices

Be careful not to spend too much because you have heard that Switzerland is expensive. Ask your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers if a price for an item you would like to buy is acceptable in Switzerland. There can be huge differences from store to store, so do not hesitate to talk to people.

Borrow things

Before you buy hiking boots, a snowboard or other expensive items, talk to your host family, your classmates and AFS volunteers to find out if you can borrow it from someone. You will also have less trouble when you pack your suitcase at the end of your exchange.

Social media fair play rules

Social Media offers many opportunities to stay in touch with your loved ones back home, other exchange students and your new friends and family members in your host country. If you write your own blog or use other social media such as Facebook or Twitter, remember the following key principles:

How much is too much?

Even though it is completely natural for you to want to share everything you experience here in Switzerland with your family and friends back home, it might hinder your adaptation process if you spend to much time communicating with them. We therefore suggest you talk to your parents and friends about the topic and think about how much time you want to spend online with them and still be able to adapt to your new Swiss home.

Ask your host parents

Many families in Switzerland have rules about how much time their children are allowed to spend on the internet. Ask you host parents what they think is appropriate.

All the same?

No. Even though Social Media is a global phenomenon, people prefer different platforms in different countries. Your host family and your PCP can tell you more about the peculiarities in Switzerland.

Privacy settings

Check your privacy settings. Who can see what you post? Who are your friends? Who sees when your birthday is, where you live etc.? Make sure that only friends can access your profile. Remember that many people (your host family, teachers, students, etc.) may have access to information linked to you, including pictures.

Facebook, Twitter and Blogs are not private

Your blog or Facebook account are not your private diary. Many people can read your texts and see your photos. And they can share them with others you do not even know. For this reason, it is important that you think twice before you post something.

Would you publish the same text and picture in a newspaper? Do you have permission of the people on your photos to post them on your blog or on your Facebook account?

Once it is published, you have no control

Everybody who sees your texts and pictures can forward, copy, share or save them. Even if you delete a post afterwards, you do not know if someone else has already used it.

Bear this in mind and make smart choices about what you want the world to see about yourself and your exchange experience.

Be respectful

Denigrating or demeaning comments about other people, cyber bullying etc. will not be tolerated. When in doubt about whether something that you are planning to post is appropriate, consider these questions and discuss the answers with a host parent or an AFS volunteer:

Am I revealing any personal information about someone without their permission?
Am I revealing personal information about myself that might be misused?
Am I revealing personal information about my host family without their knowledge and/or permission?
Even if I have permission, is it wise and safe to share this information on my website, blog, etc.?
Would I want somebody else to post similar information about myself?

Conclusion

To conclude, a final word from the true experts, namely your predecessors.

“Now your head must be spinning with advice. Take this booklet as an encouragement, which it is sincerely meant to be and never forget that it is very difficult to generalize any situation over here (or anywhere else in the world for this matter). Do not be afraid of making mistakes and of laughing at yourself. Your greatest asset is your good will and people will love you for it. Jump in headlong and swim with the stream – it will carry you! We wish you the best of luck and we envy you for being able to start what we are sad to finish.“