FAQs
Admissions
What is Swiss Semester?
Swiss Semester is an experiential program for high school sophomores and is located in Zermatt, Switzerland — an outdoor paradise. The program offers adventure, challenge, and a temporary change of routine and setting while maintaining a rigorous academic curriculum.
Where does Swiss Semester travel?
The program incorporates travel to Italy and France in its academic curriculum. In addition, weekend trips will take students to different parts of Switzerland (biking, hiking, gorging, climbing, etc.).
What classes do students take at Swiss Semester?
Students will take geology as their science, art history as their history, English, math (according to sending school curriculum), and foreign language (French or Spanish, according to home school curriculum).
How many students attend Swiss Semester?
Roughly fifty students attend Swiss Semester each fall accompanied by at least ten teachers.
How large are the academic classes?
English, geology, and art history classes are generally ten students while the foreign language and math classes are generally three to seven students depending on the level.
Where do Swiss Semester students come from?
Students come primarily from independent and public schools within the United States; however, students have also come from other countries as well.
How academically rigorous is the program?
Most of the students attending Swiss Semester are in the top quarter of their class academically. It is challenging.
Where do Swiss Semester faculty come from?
A number of Swiss Semester faculty return each fall to teach at Swiss Semester, and almost all have higher degrees and many years of teaching experience (college as well as high school in some cases).
What is the language of instruction?
All classes (with the exception of foreign languages) are taught in English.
Do I have to be able to hike, ski, and rock climb to attend?
Absolutely not! You just need to enjoy the outdoors and be excited to try new things.
Is the program expensive?
Unfortunately, yes. Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, and Zermatt, because of it’s location, is at the extreme. Tuition and fees includes travel during the program as well as outdoor adventures.
Where is the school situated?
Swiss Semester school and dorm rooms are located in multiple hotels in Zermatt and an easy three minute walk to the center of town. The school classrooms have been located in the same place for over twenty years.
What is the technology policy?