Switzerland

Once you see the breath-taking beauty of the Alps, lakes, cities, and castles of Switzerland, you’ll realize why Swiss culture is based on the outdoors. Have a YFU exchange experience in one of the most ecologically aware countries in the world.

The Swiss love nature and enjoy jogging, playing football (soccer) and volleyball, skiing, cycling, and their national obsession, hiking. But don’t despair if you long for "higher" culture—Switzerland has more than its share of museums, theaters, and concerts.

While your Swiss host family will welcome you warmly, you should understand and respect the great value the Swiss attach to family privacy. The Swiss also value cleanliness, harmony, and consensus. You’ll enjoy becoming part of a small, intimate group as a member of your host family. As a part of that family, expect to share time with each other at lunch, still the main meal in many parts of Switzerland. It’s possible that dinner may be your main meal but it may be a light, often cold, meal, following the bigger lunch.

Academic Programs

Swiss schools differ because they are run by the various cantons and because of the diversity resulting from four different languages. You can count on working hard because Swiss schools are academically challenging. You’ll be enrolled in one of two kinds of schools: gymnasium (for university-bound students) or handelsmittelschule (a business college).

Students in Switzerland participate in several educational activities that are included in the program tuition. There will be a one-week post-arrival orientation program and a four-day Ski Camp in the Alps with the option of choosing snow boarding or skiing.  Costs for the camp (including room, board, ski ticket, and travel from your host family to the ski resort) are included in the program tuition, except the cost of renting skiing or snowboarding equipment.  Before your return home you will have a pre-departure orientation with other year students in Switzerland. Many additional events, such as family meetings, take place locally throughout the year.

Mandatory health insurance is included in the program tuition. Additional costs to students that are not included in the tuition include personal spending money (approximately $200 per month), school books and materials, and travel costs to school of up to CHF 30 per month. 

Students must be born between 3/1/1991 and 9/1/1993 to be eligible for programs to Switzerland. YFU Switzerland believes that an exchange program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and as such, students who have previously spent a semester or year abroad on any program are not eligible for programs to Switzerland.  Students are advised to apply early, as all Switzerland programs fill up quickly.

German Language Intensive Orientation
For students interested in the German-speaking program to Switzerland who do not meet the minimum two years language requirement, there is an intensive four-and-a-half week language training option available for an additional fee. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.  Students are encouraged to start studying German immediately after they have been accepted to the program.  There is no intensive language orientation offered for the French speaking program in Switzerland.  For additional information, please call 1-800-TEENAGE to speak with an Admissions Counselor.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Switzerland, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, French and German language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• YFU Switzerland web site Please note: The YFU Switzerland web site is provided for additional information only and reflects details of programs that YFU USA may not offer.
• Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, DC web site
• Swissworld.org official web site of Switzerland

"Youth For Understanding was there every step of the way." - Jennifer Mallory

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Monday, October 6, 2008.