Programdetaljer
| Program | Start | Slut | Pris | Ålder vid ankomst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skolprogram, avresa höst (juli-sep) | 20 aug 2010 | 8 jul 2011 | 65,000 kr | 16 - 18 år, 5mån |
STUDYING IN SWITZERLAND
The 19th century German writer Goethe called Switzerland a combination of “the colossal and the well-ordered”—and the spectacular Alps, which account for 60% of Swiss terrain, are certainly colossal. Likewise, the Swiss themselves lead meticulously well-ordered lives, most famously as detail-obsessed bankers and watchmakers. They are also polite and respectful of everyone’s privacy, which visitors can mistake for aloofness. But in fact, Swiss culture is a friendly stew of four official languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—each contributing different traditions and cuisines to the national ethos. The Swiss are proud of this diversity, but they are leery of diversifying further. They have been internationally neutral for centuries, even avoiding full membership in the United Nations until 2002 and still not a full member of the European Union, in part to discourage the influence of other cultures. And although the Swiss are committed to world peace, every Swiss male must serve in the army and keep a rifle at home. In fact, many Swiss work at perfecting their marksmanship as avidly as they ski.
School
Swiss schools require foreign students to have some knowledge of German or French. For AFSers with little or no language background who live near Zurich or Berne, AFS Switzerland organizes four weeks of language training (the whole day, five days per week) after you have been placed with your families and prior to the start of school (students who attend this intensive language training start school upon completion of the four-week course). Most other students attend an intensive language course at a private language school or receive two to four hours of tutoring a week.
LIVING IN SWITZERLAND
Lifestyle and Family Living
The Swiss value hard work, sobriety, thrift and independence. They prize tolerance, punctuality, cleanliness, orderliness and a sense of responsibility. However, the concept of “Swiss people” does not exist; the population is made up of four ethnic groups: German Swiss, French Swiss, Italian Swiss and Romansh. Germans dominate with 65% of the population. The French are located mostly in the west; the Italians in the south. Though ethnic variety divides Switzerland, the Swiss are unified by the common custom of having pets (90% of Swiss families have a cat or a dog).
Dress and Appearance
Swiss teenagers generally wear casual clothes, and people dress as in other western countries. Often the same outfit will be worn for a number of days. Bring warm winter clothing such as a heavy jacket, scarf, gloves and boots. For the summer, light clothing, such as jeans and T-shirts, is appropriate. It will also be helpful to bring a musical instrument, if you have one, or outdoor sports gear.
