Academic Year Programs
Study in Switzerland and choose whether you would like to live and attend school in a French-speaking or German-speaking area!
2027 Fall Year French
$21,295Age Eligibility Born Sep 29, 2009 – Jul 29, 2012
- ✈️Depart: Early August
- ✈️Return: Late June
- ✓Host family placement
- ✓School placement
- ✓Orientations
- ✓Airport transfers
- ✓Domestic & international travel
- ✓YFU Switzerland on-program support
- ✓Comprehensive insurance
- ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
2027 Fall Year German
$21,295Age Eligibility Born Sep 29, 2009 – Jul 29, 2012
- ✈️Depart: Early August
- ✈️Return: Late June
- ✓Host family placement
- ✓School placement
- ✓Orientations
- ✓Airport transfers
- ✓Domestic & international travel
- ✓YFU Switzerland on-program support
- ✓Comprehensive insurance
- ⏰ Application deadline: Mar 15, 2027
Academic Year Program Details
School
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.
Orientations
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.
There will be a one-week orientation camp a few weeks after your arrival. In January, you will participate in a mid-term orientation, where students may wish to participate in a a four-day ski camp in the Alps for an additional fee. Before your return home, you will have a re-entry orientation with other year students in Switzerland. All orientation costs with the exception of the ski trip are included in program tuition.
Optional Excursions
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!
Language
Romansch, Italian, German, and French. For French-speaking programs, 2 years of French language study is required, though most schools require a B1 level of the language. For the German-speaking program, an A2 level of German is required.
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!
