High School in Switzerland

Study Abroad in Switzerland

With four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansch), Switzerland is an ideal place for international education. The country’s motto is, “Unity, yes; uniformity, no,” giving you the opportunity to discover the array of ideas and customs in a peaceful, collaborative environment. By living with a host family and studying at a local high school in Switzerland, you’ll be totally immersed in regular Swiss teenage life. This is your chance to join a global community and make Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes and delicious food a part of your everyday routine.

Things to Know About Switzerland

Switzerland is famous for its natural beauty, which the Swiss work very hard to protect. In most communities, you won’t be far from snow-capped mountains or crytal-clear lakes. If the environment is important to you, you’ll appreciate all the effort the country puts into recycling and conservation. The Swiss also value punctuality and efficiency; a common saying claims that if you’re late, it’s probably because you weren’t wearing a Swiss watch or riding a Swiss train.

70 Years Experience

Eligibility

Graduates Eligible?

No, high school graduates are not eligible to participate.

Minimum GPA

3.25, or equivalent, is needed to apply for this program. The Swiss school system is highly academic and competitive, and therefore previous academic performance within the top quartile of your class is needed.

Age Range (at program start)

15 years and 5 months to 18 years and 0 months

Language Skills

Semester Program	B1 French or B1 German required
Year Program	German skills preferred, but not required. French, or Italian language skills required

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Your Journey to Switzerland

Visa Information

AFS will provide visa guidance and support documents (if applicable). Visa processes can be lengthy and complex; you may be required to travel long distances to apply for the visa if there is not an embassy, consulate, etc. close to your home. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond a return date from your host country. We urge you to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible if applying to an AFS program. We recommend not taking any trips (domestically or internationally) within 2 months prior to your AFS program as it may interfere with the visa application process and result in a late program start date.

Travel & Orientation

In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact, maximizing the outcomes of the AFS learning experience.

Also during this time, AFS-USA will coordinate and share your international travel with you. You will need to coordinate your own travel to the point of international departure. From there, your journey in Switzerland will begin when you land, where you’ll be met by staff and volunteers…as well as your fellow AFSers from around the world! Shortly after arrival, you will attend an arrival orientation and get a crash course on Swiss culture, living with a host family, safety, and support structures.

SUI-HS-afs-student-with-host-family-in-switzerland

Your Accommodations

Meeting Your Host Family

AFSers have lived with families all throughout Switzerland, but you’ll most likely be in a German-speaking region. Most host families live in suburban towns, but some are in rural or urban areas.

Like anywhere in the world, all Swiss families are different. Most are hard-working and thrifty, with one or two children and a cat or a dog. It’s important for most Swiss families to spend time with their closest family members and do activities together. On weekends, people often take trips to visit extended family or friends.

Your High School in Switzerland

Switzerland has one of the top education systems in the world, and you can expect your classmates to be highly motivated and engaged students. You’ll most likely attend a baccalaureat school, an academically competitive high school that prepares students for university studies. A typical day might start around 8 am and end around 6 pm. Most schools have classes until noon on Wednesday, leaving the rest of the day free for skiing, hiking, or spending time with your host family and friends.

If you’re in the German-speaking region, you’ll be given an online Rosetta Stone course, and you’ll be able to take an intensive language course during the first five weeks of your stay. If you’re in the French-speaking region, you should come with some existing knowledge of French, and will get some French lessons at a local level. No matter where you’re staying, previous experience with the language is beneficial, as it will help you make friends and get involved in the community.

Daily Life

Teenage Life in Switzerland

The Swiss may have fewer friends than what you’re used to, but their friendships tend to be very close and long-lasting. Teenagers are usually very active and participate in sports and clubs organized by the school or community. Since the Alps cover more than half of the country, you can definitely plan on lots of opportunities to go skiing and mountain climbing. Other popular sports include ice hockey, biking, and soccer. Your Swiss friends will probably also like to get together in cafés or hang out during after-school activities.

Foods You’ll Encounter

Since Switzerland is a multilingual country, you might hear “en Guete,” “bon appétit,” or “buon appetito” before each meal. The Swiss diet is mostly a mix of French and German cuisines, with a variety of sausages and rich cheeses, as well as several fish and pork dishes. The German influence can be seen in plates of spaetzli (homemade pasta covered in butter and oil), while French-speaking areas are known to enjoy fondue and raclette (melted cheese eaten mostly during the winter months). Potatoes are common too, and you can enjoy them boiled, fried, or in dishes such as röstis (grated and pan-fried) and gratin (sliced and baked with cream and garlic). Best of all, the Swiss are famous for their creamy, high-quality chocolate—so get ready to enjoy some tasty desserts!

What's included

75+ years of experience delivering high-quality programs through a worldwide network of 32,000 dedicated volunteers
Accommodations with a vetted host family
Round-trip international airfare for the designated program dates
School enrollment fees
Worldwide, 24-hour emergency assistance
Access to an in-country support team and network, as well as our Participant Support Department based here in the U.S.
Orientations and intercultural education before and during your program
International secondary medical travel coverage
Visa support and guidance
Inclusion in a worldwide returnee and alumni network of over 1,000,000 people

What's not included

Domestic travel to your international departure city
Visa and passport fees
Spending money
Covid-19 Tests
Fees imposed by the airlines outside of your international ticket, such as luggage fees.
Additional fees may apply depending on the specific host country. Please email [email protected] for additional details.

We invite you to learn more about where your dollars go, our payment and refund policy, and answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Scholarships and Aid

We believe that studying abroad should not be contingent on personal finances. When you apply, we work with you to understand your family’s needs and match you with available scholarships and aid. 100% of accepted applicants with demonstrated need receive funds.

Learn More

Visa Info

Do I need a visa/residence permit for Switzerland ?	YES. Visa + Residence Permit
How do I apply for the visa? (By mail, In-person, In host country)	In-person + In host country
Visa/Residence Permit Process Difficulty Level (Easy, Average, Complex)	Average
Estimated Visa/Residence Permit Expenses ($ – $$$)	$
Frequently Asked Visa Questions	Visit our general visa FAQ page for more information.

Returning Home

“Life-changing” is hard to describe, yet it’s nearly always the first thing that AFSers say when asked about their experience abroad. “Transformed” is another one. When you return home from your study abroad in Switzerland, you’ll bring with you a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. You’ll have gained maturity and independence, discovered new passions, and developed the confidence and resilience to accomplish anything you set out to do.

That transformation isn’t only visible to you, though – others see it as well. AFSers gain critical skills for college and careers. Second language fluency, intercultural competence, creativity, and critical reasoning will help you succeed, whatever path you take. “Life-changing” means it’s only the beginning. It’s not just an adventure abroad; it’s a whole new reality. The perspectives and personal connections you gained will stay with you and likely draw you back to the second home you found in Switzerland.

In fact, our alumni reviews have made AFS one of the top-rated organizations in the study abroad industry.