Studies abroad in Switzerland
Education Travel for Students and Adults
Switzerland may be a small country at the
heart of Europe but expect to be surprised by its tremendous contrasts. Whether
you fancy mountains, urban life or alpine pastures, from French-Speaking to
German-Speaking Switzerland, not to forget Ticino, this tiny nation offers a
wide variety of landscapes, cultures and ways of life that are yours to
discover.
Switzerland is divided in three linguistic and cultural areas (German, French
and Italian) to which can be added the Romansh speaking valleys in the East.
Whereas Bern is the capital city, Geneva is home to many international
organizations such as UNO, the Red Cross, or the World Trade Organization. But
Switzerland is also famous for its many ski resorts: Leysin, Crans Montana or
Verbier in the French speaking area, Zermatt, Gstaad or Grindelwald in the
German speaking area, all famous resorts highly prized by skiers from all
around the world.
On the German speaking side Zurich is the major city but smaller towns like
Zug, Lucerne or Basel are far from being dull and have their own individual
charms, Zug and its lake, Lucerne and its famous bridge, or Basel and its
architecture. One should not overlook the Rütli meadow where the legendary oath
of the Rütlischwur first occurred in August 1291, unifying Uni, Schwytz and
Unterwalden, areas that were to become the Old Swiss Confederacy. Traditions
live long in these three little rural cantons of Central Switzerland where the
Oath is re-enacted every August the 1st.
Ticino, the southernmost canton of Switzerland, is the sole canton in which
Italian is the official language. It is considered with parts of the canton of
Graubünden as the Italian Switzerland. Throughout the ages this little area has
remained under strong Italian influences. Its southerly positions grant Ticino
the sunniest and warmest climate in Switzerland and its main cities (Lugano,
Locarno or Ascona) are most pleasant.
Rest assured that Switzerland is one of the greatest places to learn German.