Study in Switzerland and choose whether you would like to live and attend school in a French-speaking or German-speaking area!
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Fall Year French | Early August | Late June | $17,995 |
| 2025 Fall Year German | Early August | Late June | $17,995 |
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local Swiss high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Switzerland Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
As an exchange student in Switzerland, you will be enrolled in a Gymnasium/collège, which is a high school for university-bound students. As Swiss schools tend to be academically challenging, be prepared to work hard! The Swiss school system is quite decentralized, which means that your school experience may vary depending on where you are located. Some Swiss schools offer extracurricular activities and events to their students, and exchange students may have the opportunity to join in on many extracurricular events that may be happening in their community.
Students are encouraged to bring their laptops abroad with them as some schools require them.
All students applying for a year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online, dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
There will be a one-week orientation camp a few weeks after your arrival. In January, you will participate in a mid-term orientation, which includes a four-day ski camp in the Alps. Before your return home, you will have a re-entry orientation with other year students in Switzerland. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay at an additional cost.
Ski Camp: Students have the opportunity to attend a four- to five-day ski camp at a Swiss skiing resort in the famous Meiringen municipality. For over 40 years, this trip has been organized by YFU Switzerland. It includes room and board, a ski pass, and travel from the host family to the destination. Students may also choose to snowboard. Get your skis (or snowboard!) ready and join in on amazing winter fun!
- 2025 Fall Departures: Students born September 30, 2007 – July 30, 2010
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Romansch, Italian, German, and French. For French-speaking programs: 2 years of French language study is required. German-speaking program: No previous language skills are required. Students will take language training courses while on-program.
Swiss German vs. Standard German: While all written language and school studies are taught in standard German, this is not the spoken language of the people. Swiss German has some similarities but also varies considerably from standard German. YFU host families are asked to speak standard German with their students while at home; however, you will quickly become accustomed to the Swiss-German dialect in your area as everyone outside of school and your family will use the local dialect. This is a great way to learn more than one language during your time abroad!
Most host families are located in small cities or villages close to metropolitan areas. Swiss families usually eat dinner together. Dinnertime is the perfect opportunity to discuss what happened during the day, share ideas, and make plans for the weekend or holidays.
Students who have less than two years of language study in German-speaking Switzerland will be enrolled in an intensive four-week language training option included in tuition. Students are encouraged to start studying German immediately after they have been accepted to the program.
Students wishing to study abroad in French-speaking Switzerland must meet the two-year language requirement. Prior to departure, students will take a language test. Upon arrival, students may be required to take an intensive language course if they do not meet an A2 level of French.
