International Student Exchange - Switzerland:

Application deadlines for the International Student Exchange - Switzerland each year are:
September (5 or 10 month) – March 31
January – October 1

Information about the Student Exchange to Switzerland:

While on an International Exchange Program students have the opportunity to learn at an international school and the "school of life" while they experience another culture, immerse themselves in the language and become a member of the host family. Begin your international experience now! Participate in an International Exchange program with YES Canada!

Information about the Student Exchange to Switzerland:

The education system in Switzerland caters to the three national languages for instruction. Beginning at age 6, students enter the school system at the primary level, (known as Primarschule in German, Ecole primaire in French, and scuola primaria elementare in Italian). Primary school continues until grades four to six, depending on the region.

The next step is Secondary I, (known as Sekundarstufe I in German, Secondaire I in French and Scula secondaria in Italian). At this time, students are divided into specific study streams, based on their academic levels.

Pre-gymnasium prepares students for the Matura exam. Students can choose between a science stream, with a focus on mathematics, physics and chemistry, or a literary stream, that includes a focus on literature, arts and the study of Latin and Greek.

Another option is Intermediate, an area of study that prepares students for vocational training, particularly business and technical careers.

Pre-professional prepares students looking to head straight into apprenticeships for manual-type careers, preparing them with strong skills in reading and arithmetic.

The goal of the Swiss education system is to provide each student with an education that suits their specific skills, needs and interests.

The educational opportunity to be immersed in a culture so rich in diverse languages, surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature in the world makes Switzerland a preferred destination.

School System

There are both public and private schools, including many private international schools. The minimum age for primary school is about six years in all cantons.[55] Primary school continues until grade four or five, depending on the school. Traditionally, the first foreign language in school was always one of the other national languages, although recently (2000) English was introduced first in a few cantons.[55] At the end of primary school (or at the beginning of secondary school), pupils are separated according to their capacities in several (often three) sections. The fastest learners are taught advanced classes to be prepared for further studies and the matura,[55] while students who assimilate a little bit more slowly receive an education more adapted to their needs.

The obligatory school system usually includes primary education (Primarschule in German, école primaire in French and scuola primaria / elementare in Italian) and secondary education I (Sekundarstufe I in German, secondaire I in French and scuola secondaria / media in Italian). Before that, children usually go to kindergarten, but it is not required. The minimum age for primary school is about six years in all cantons but Obwalden, where it is five years and three months. The cantons Thurgau and Nidwalden allow five year olds to start primary school in exceptional cases. Primary school continues until grade four, five or six, depending on the school. Any boy or girl can take part in school if they choose to, but kids are separated depending on whether they speak French, German or Italian.

"In some cantons", at the end of primary school (or at the beginning of secondary school), pupils are separated according to their capacities in several (often three) sections. The best students are taught advanced classes to be prepared for further studies and the matura, while students who assimilate a little bit more slowly receive an education more adapted to their needs. This separation can be summarized as follows:

Pre-gymnasium:

this division aims to prepare the students for Gymnasium (German) / gymnase/collège/lycée (French) / liceo (italian) or other schools which deliver a Federal maturity diploma. Students often have the choice between a science stream (with many hours of mathematics, and an introduction to physics and chemistry) and a more literary stream with Latin (and sometimes Greek)

Intermediate:

this division targets intermediate students whose goal it is to go to technical or secretarial schools, for example.

Pre-professional:

This division regroups students who are more interested in manual jobs, and prepares them for an apprenticeship by giving them strong bases in spelling, reading and mathematics.

The purpose of this system is to give every student an education that fits his or her needs and interests, but it is also criticized because it segregates children based on intellectual capacity. Secondary I school continues until grade nine, which marks the end of compulsory school.

"Other cantons" have only one kind of secondary school, which may once again be divided in two sections, according to intellectual capacity as evaluated by primary school teachers.

Visit the Student Exchange Destination - Switzerland!