Head to Switzerland for an academic trip

Switzerland has joined the new set of countries that have opened up academic opportunities, for Indian students. Though the country has been quite popular in hotel management training, boarding schools are looking to lure more Indian students to their campus. Right from high school to post graduate study options the picturesque region has a number of programmes that students may want to consider.

Currently boarding schools in Switzerland accept students until Class XII. School programmes on offer are affiliated to global boards like IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels, the Swiss Federal Maturity, the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur. "Over 50 per cent of our IGCSE students qualify for the Ivy League schools in the US for further studies," says Christophe X Clivaz, director, Swiss Learning, on the success rate of securing an education in Swiss schools.

Swiss learning an education body, which is managed by heads of education institutes in the country, has taken the initiative of connecting Indian students and parents with Swiss Educationists. Alumnus of these schools also interacted with the aspiring students to provide first hand information on their life on the campus.

At Swiss schools, students have the option of pursuing bilingual studies. Majority of these institutes offer intensive studies in English, French, Italian or German as a second language. These certificates are accepted for entry into Swiss universities and to universities in other countries according to the specific conditions of each institution. According to Charles H Skipper, headmaster, The American School in Switzerland, one of the advantages of studying in Switzerland at a younger age is the safety quotient.

"Though the number of students flocking to the US is high, when it comes to undergraduate or high school study, parents prefer to send their students to a country which is quite safe. Since they are barely 18 years old," he explains. Speaking on the academic advantage of studying at a boarding school in a European country, the representatives are of the opinion that students learn more languages than in any other country.

"Since industrial visits and excursions are an important part of the curriculum, students can take a weekend trip with the art department to Florence, Italy or visit a German car factory," says Iris Gurey, head of admissions and marketing, Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz.

They imbibe qualities like punctuality in work and discipline in their daily life on a campus away from their home country. Since Swiss education is expensive, and can range anywhere between 70,000 to 100,000 Swiss Francs (approximatley Rs 45 to 64 lakhs) most schools offer need-based scholarship. Mark Silverstien, director of Marketing, Aiglon College, says, "We provide customised and personalised education, which is suited to the overall development of the child."

Swiss High Schools

Institut Le Rosey

Brillantmont International School

Institut auf dem Rosenberg

Collège Champittet

Lyceum Alpinum, Zuoz

Collège Beau Soleil

Aiglon College

TASIS (The American School in Switzerland)

Institute Montana Zugerberg

Collège du Léman

Leysin American School

- (List is indicative)

By:ZEE NEWS