International School Parent Magazine - Summer 2022

Summer in 

Switzerland 2022 

Fantastic family outings 

this summer 

Should I 

take a 

Gap Year? 

The Swiss 

Education 

System 

An Overview

THE EXPERIENCE 

OF A LIFETIME 

Leysin American School in Switzerland is home to exceptional students from around 

the world. Our warm community is steeped in tradition, and we provide an outstanding 

education in a supportive environment on our beautiful campus in the Swiss Alps. 

We encourage our students to be themselves – creative thinkers who aren’t afraid to 

take risks and think outside of the box. We provide them with personalized attention 

and diverse course offerings within our IB, AP, and ESL programs. LAS graduates 

are independent, innovative thinkers who thrive at top universities across the globe. 

www.las.ch admissions@las.ch +41 24 493 4888 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SUMMER 2022 | 3

Welcome to the Summer 

edition of International 

School Parent magazine 

Summertime has arrived! Spring came and went, and time flies so 

quickly that it seems like just yesterday I was sitting down with the 

team to finish our Spring edition. 

It’s safe to say we are on course for a wonderful summer. The 

summer edition of International School Parent Magazine 2022 

brilliantly brings together the latest and greatest happenings in the 

international school community! 

Contents 

06 Meet The Team – Interview With Henri Behar And 

Stephanie Walmsley From The JFK International 

School, Switzerland 

12 Meet The Head – Interview With Marc Ott From The 

Leysin American School 

17 Parenting Through Diversity 

20 What Parents Say About Academia Schools 

22 Looking Towards University 

24 Switzerland Home Of Innovation 

26 “A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships” 

29 Improving University Experience, 1% At A Time 

32 Share The Dream With The Olympic Museum 

34 Summer In Switzerland 2022 

37 Interlaken Summer 2022 

38 Summer At Schilthorn: Adrenalin And Relaxation 

For Families 

40 Your Next Colourful Getaway To Southern Switzerland 

42 Family Holidays In Liechtenstein: Relaxation And 

Adventure Await Here 

46 Basel 

48 On Top Of Mt. Titlis 

49 The Swis Education System – An Overview 

53 Is A Gap Year Worth It? 

56 Supporting Children Through Relocation 

60 The True Nature Of Things: Ecolint’s Forest School 

Programme 

64 What Is The US High School Diploma Programme? 

Our special recurring Meet the Headteachers interviews are back 

this edition and we spoke to Dr Marc Ott from Leysin American 

school and Henri Behar from JFK International School. Both 

interviews provide insightful behind-the-scenes commentary on 

what parents and students can expect from an education at these 

fantastic schools. 

This time of year is always a period when older students are looking 

forward to an exciting, exam-free summer, but equally many parents 

may be wondering how to entertain their children over the long 

holidays. Luckily we have an enormous tourism section with local 

ideas to explore as a family this summer, from city break ideas 

to adventurous walking in Liechtenstein. There are just so many 

fantastic places to go in Switzerland, and you can see a lot of them 

on foot or by bike for free. 

As usual, we have some great articles from educational experts in 

areas as diverse as making the most of your university experience, to 

gap years, and a look on the Swiss Education System. I would like to 

extend our invitation to other specialists in all fields of education to 

contact us for writing opportunities. We welcome all enquiries about 

being featured in an issue of the magazine. 

We remain committed to the task of helping parents and children 

to make the most of the fantastic opportunities an education at an 

international school in Switzerland provides. All that remains to 

be said is that I hope you have a wonderful end to the term and a 

fantastic summer holiday. 

Work hard and be the best! 

Nick 

Nick Gilbert 

Editor & Publishing Director 

International School Parent Magazine 

Mobile + 41 787 10 80 91 

Email nick@internationalschoolparent.com 

Website www.internationalschoolparent.com 

@isparentmag 


Liechtenstein – 

a family paradise 

Located in the four-country corner and only 60 minutes from Zurich by car, the Principality 

of Liechtenstein offers an amazing range of family friendly tourism experiences. The small 

Alpine monarchy combines everything you need for an unforgettable family holiday: an 

impressive mountain world, lively culture, charming villages and excellent gastronomy. 

Find out more www.tourismus.li/en 

Liechtenstein Marketing 

Aeulestrasse 30, 9490 Vaduz, 

Phone +423 239 63 63

MEET THE TEAM 

Interview with Henri Behar and Stephanie Walmsley 

from the JFK International School, Switzerland 

A‘Small School with a Big Heart,’ 

the John F. Kennedy International 

School is a unique familyorientated 

educational environment which 

has been providing an excellent education, 

to local families and international students, 

in the heart of the Swiss Alps since 1971. 

Focused on creating a school that makes a 

significant difference to the community they 

serve, and providing opportunities for all 

their pupils and students, JFK International 

is a small but growing campus. 

We sat down with School Director, Henri 

Behar, and the Head of the Middle School, 

Stephanie Walmsley, to discuss the school, 

their educational approaches, and to find 

out more about what makes the John F. 

Kennedy International School a worldrenowned 

centre for multi-culturalism and 

learning. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself - what’s 

your background, and what made you 

choose education as a career? 

Henri: I graduated from EPFL in 

Lausanne as an Architect and worked as 

one for a while in Geneva before moving 

into Graphic Design. 

Whilst I was a student in College du 

Leman (Geneva), I worked with their 

Summer Camps and every holiday I would 

take groups over to Spain, or I stayed with 

them when I was studying in university. 

College du Leman became a bit like my 


second home, and I ended up working in 

the college when I started my school career. 

I was the Head of Boarding, the Head of 

Marketing, and the Head of the Summer 

Camp – back and forth, sometimes just in 

one role, sometimes in two, or in all three. 

I was then offered to come to JFK by Mr. 

Philippe Gudin (the owner of Le Rosey, 

who had been approached by the Board to 

put the school back on the right foot) – he 

asked if I would like to work as the Director 

of the School when there were only 27 

students. 

I started to build on the atmosphere, 

the quality of the teachers, and the level 

of education – now we have 130 students, 

and we’ll list around a hundred students 

throughout the year. 

How do your experiences and 

philosophies inform your approaches 

at JFK? 

Henri: I would say the base of the school 

is, “Small School, Big Heart.” 

Being a small school can sometimes 

be seen as a negative, but we say this is a 

positive – because we’re a small school, we 

can pay close, personalised attention and 

create a family atmosphere. 

We are a small school, and of course 

– the big heart – is the part where all this 

love and care that everybody gets, comes 

together, because it’s one-to-one attention. 

There are 16 students maximum per 

classroom (with an average of around 12) – 

and the idea is that the teachers know every 

single student – what their strengths and 

weaknesses are. 

Keeping the family spirit is one of the 

biggest philosophies to keep in the school to 

maintain our philosophy of ‘Small School, 

Big Heart.’ 

Stephanie: What we’re doing is growing 

academically. The Middle School has 

grown naturally as the school has grown 

and we are now increasing and refining 

our academic subjects and educational 

experiences. The big push on my side has 

been to increase the quality in the middle 

years program – because we know that, 

obviously, our students are going to go 

on to local high schools in terms of the 

international system in the region. 

We want to ensure that what we’re 

doing here matches their needs when the 

students go to the next high school; so, their 

education is on par (if not better) when they 

get to where they are going to next. We 

are working in close collaboration with the 

regional high schools. 

What have you learnt from your time 

leading an International School? 

Henri: JFK used to be seen as a bit of a 

‘fun’ school, where people used to come 

and do a lot of skiing, sports, and outdoors 

activities, and they’d study when they had 

the time, that was 20 years ago when the 

attitude was more, “If my kid comes back 

home happy, that’s enough for me.” 

Since then, things have evolved – parents 

are more demanding, and there’s more 

competition for children to go on into better 

schools and better universities. So of course, 

we’ve evolved too with our academics, to 

make sure our students are prepared for the 

next step – and this is, I would say, one of 

the big steps that we will continue to work 

with, because it keeps growing. 

What’s interesting though, is at the 

same time, we take pride in our outdoor 

education to create real well-rounded 

students, who aren’t only academic - but 

also good in sports, appreciating the 

outdoor environment and understanding 

the importance of that for their own 

wellbeing. 


Describe the typical JFK International 

student, can you tell us a bit about the 

programs at JFK? 

Henri: We have a nice mix - the Junior 

House (for ages 6-9) currently has 9 students 

right now, and they live together with the 

House Parents, which helps to develop the 

family spirit, the Senior House is more like 

a traditional Boarding House and is set up 

for the older students (10-14 years). 

Our school is for students up to age 

fourteen, so we have to prepare them 

to move on into other education – and 

give them the ability to thrive in different 

environments. I would say that our students 

are well received in other schools, and well 

prepared – they are ready to adapt. 

As for the programs, as well as the 

academics, we have a tradition here of 

having Holiday Camps, and operate an 

Outdoor Adventure Camp – the JFK Swiss 

Outdoor Camp – it’s all outdoors and is 

themed by week; one week it’ll be a ‘Water 

week’ with all water activities, another will 

be a week on the mountain with hikes and 

camping, and then the third week with rock 

climbing, making campfires, and benefiting 

from outdoor learning. 

With the Rock Week, the participants 

might be climbing in the morning, then 

learning about the rocks and minerals in the 

afternoon – why some are different colours, 

about the different formations, all these 

things. If it’s a water activity, they’ll learn 

about the river, the animals that can be 

found there, etc. 

It’s all attached to learning - everything 

is carefully designed to provide a full 

adventure camp with activities and action – 

but still combine with this learning. 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SUMMER 2022 | 8 

The program runs for six weeks in the 

summer, and we run the program twice 

(Water / Mountain / Rock), so people can 

come in and do 2-3 weeks. 

How do you encourage a love of 

learning? 

Stephanie: I think that it’s really achieved 

with our education system, the field work 

(particularly with the IMYC being studentcentred), 

and with project-based learning. 

We want the children to be able to use 

critical thinking – to enjoy coming into the 

classroom where it’s not purely textbook 

based. 

Project-based and Inquiry-Based 

Learning lends itself very well to the IB, 

and a lot of our children will go on into an 

IB education system. Our students are going 

out and talking about their units of inquiry,

“We want the children to be able 

to use critical thinking – to enjoy 

coming into the classroom where it’s 

not purely textbook based. ” 

understanding the links in the real world to 

the classroom, understanding their role in 

society and getting a different perspective 

– we want them to experience the bigger 

picture. 

Henri: We like to say, “learn how to 

learn.” We teach the students not to just be 

spoon-fed, but to look for information, and 

know how to process it, so they aren’t left 

saying, “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it,” 

rather they can approach a challenge and 

say, “I may not know how to do it but – let’s 

go for it!” 

What is your favourite thing about the 

learning environment that makes JFK 

stand out? 

Stephanie: One of the big things we’re 

involved in is education for sustainability 

– and our students are directly involved in 

that. We’re working with Votre Cercle de 

Vie – they’re a farming family who are now 

doing a lot of eco-projects; and one of their 

big projects is to build an eco-hotel to be a 

global blueprint (there’s never been a hotel 

quite like this) – everything in the hotel 

will be sustainable – and our students are 

directly involved. 

We’re upcycling furniture, and the 

children are going to be designing the 

furniture to go into the hotel; they’re really 

learning a lot about the eco-system that 

they’re living in and understanding it. It 

is an invaluable project to be involved in 

because the students are working with the 

project and this is also linked to the UN 17 

sustainable goals which runs through their 

curriculum. It is first hand experience of 

seeing how they can make a difference and 

develop key competencies for the future. 


What do parents of JFK students value 

about the school? 

Henri: The protective environment. 

Not only because we’re in this little town, 

but because there’s only a mix of middle 

schoolers and primary students. They love 

to come to the school and are happy here. 

It’s also a big part that the parents and 

the community is very close. The school 

organises several activities for the parents, 

and the PTA is very active. We call it the 

JFK Family – and it’s made out of the 

parents, the students, and the alumni. 

We recently celebrated our 50th 

anniversary, and held a couple of big 

events – a lot of people attended, there 

were around 200 Alumni and parents for a 

Fondue Party. 

Stephanie: I only started back in August 

(2021), but during the 50th celebrations, 

all the yearbooks were out from the last 50 

years – and it was really nice to see all the 

different photographs, and how the school 

has evolved over the years – and having the 

Alumni talk through their reflections – it 

was really special. 

The school has grown as a campus 

effectively, because there’s the Playschool, 

the original building, the Primary School 

building, the Middle School building and 

the recently acquired Student Support 

Services – but we’ve retained the ‘small 

school’ feel, and we know everybody, we 

know all the students, and all the staff know 

the community around us – so it’s a special 

place. 

What are the main principles and 

philosophies you promote? 

Stephanie: This year we are introducing 

the Design & Technology and improving, 

particularly around STEAM education – 

which is really important. 

We’re trying to move away from highstakes 

examinations. If you look at the 

21st Century education push at the 

moment, it’s about inquiry-based learning 

and understanding – so at the moment, 

particularly with IMYC, there is a move

away from grades as ‘pure grades’ and 

encouraging the students to understand 

themselves as learners and how they 

learn and why they are learning. Making 

connections across the subjects and through 

real world experiences. 

When it comes to their assessments, 

they’re receiving information from the 

teachers about how they can improve their 

learning, feedback is crucial in developing 

these reflective learning skills. 

That is what we are fostering in students 

– to understand themselves and how they 

learn. 

Are there any areas that you want to 

develop, or that you are developing in 

the school? 

Henri: We want to continue to focus on 

adaptability, as for big projects – we will 

rebuild the Pfrundacker Chalet (which 

is the original house, where the school 

started), and we are having the Playschool 

rebuilt completely because we just acquired 

the land and the house, and it needs 

refurbishing. 

This will allow us to put in some more 

areas, like a boarding house, where we are 

renting at the moment, and containers 

for the ski rooms. We may also look at 

combining the ski rooms with a little gym, 

that will let us have an indoor gym which 

we don’t have (we use the local school for 

that). 

What other extracurricular activities do 

the children experience during their time 

with you? 

Henri: We organise a ski race, the SGIS 

race, where 400 students from around 23 

different schools come over – we cook, take 

pictures, have the teachers doing all the gate 

watching – we have everybody in there, 

but that’s part of the small school, where 

the teachers aren’t just coming in to teach, 

but also for break duties, lunch duties, 

helping out with bake sales, it’s a really nice 


community spirit. 

We run ski competitions on the weekend, 

so the students are put into a competitive 

situation, where they need to learn how to 

lose, and how to win – and that’s not always 

easy, but I think it’s good for them to start 

from a young age. 

What do you think will be the major 

challenges facing students and education 

in the future? 

Henri: I would say changes of places, 

changes of work, double work, working 

from home – these are things children will 

need to be prepared for. 

It’s always very difficult to see 10 years in 

advance, and we have very young ones – so 

there’s still a good way to go forward. 

What is your vision or ambition for JFK 

graduates? 

Stephanie: In terms of looking forward 

– education itself is evolving massively, 

particularly around sustainable goals. 

The UN states that education is said to 

be the ‘lynchpin’ that drives everything 

– and making sure that our students are 

prepared, and resilient, for what is to come, 

and how quickly the world is evolving and 

changing, and the problems we’re facing 

now. 

I think that we must invest ourselves in an 

education system that is forward thinking 

and outward looking. It’s taking real life 

situations and saying, “Look at what’s 

happening at the moment. How would 

you broach this? What do you think? How 

would you change this? What would you do 

differently?” 

I think it’s about giving children the 

confidence and skills to take what they 

know, apply it, test it, refine it, and keep 

moving through the whole process as a way 

to move forward in each situation. 

How do you equip students for success? 

Stephanie: It’s all about the key 

competency and transdisciplinary skills at 

the end of the day. The knowledge we have 

now won’t be relevant in five-years, because 

the world is moving so fast. Creating 

resilience and compassion in students is 

essential. 

Henri: We already have families that live 

very much on the road – two years here, 

two years there – that kind of life. It’s a little 

bit of what the future brings, we don’t have 

that ‘famous’ job where you walk into it at 

18 and finish when you’re 65. 

Adaptability and resilience are really 

important to learn, so you’re ready for 

future jobs. 

How do you make the best Switzerland 

and everything it has to offer; do you 

have any hobbies? 

Henri: It’s funny, because when I was 

living in Geneva, I said, “I’m going to have 

to go back every weekend – what am I 

going to do here?” but it’s such a wonderful 

place for hiking, skiing, or even just having 

a coffee at the top of the mountain and 

relaxing. 

I would say I enjoy more nature-based 

activities, it’s about taking a hike, finding a 

nice bench, and sitting in front of the river, 

listening to all the sounds around it. 

I haven’t really been back to Geneva for 

about three months already, it’s rare that I 

go back down – all traffic jams and speedy, 

but when you come up here, you’re able to 

go at a little bit on a slower pace, and can 

really just relax, take in the surroundings, 

and enjoy nature. 

ABOUT JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

John F. Kennedy International School is home to 95 students (aged 2.5 to 14) and 26 

expert faculty and staff — a community representing over 22 different nations. Find out 

more: www.jfk.ch 


MEET THE HEAD 

Interview with Marc Ott from the Leysin American School 

Founded in 1960 by Fred and Sigrid 

Ott, the Leysin American School is 

a prestigious international boarding 

school located in the stunning natural 

beauty of Leysin, Switzerland. 

Devoted to developing innovative, 

compassionate, and responsible citizens 

of the world, with a supportive family 

environment, and a guiding set of values 

and principles of the highest standard, the 

school focuses on university preparation for 

Grades 7 -12. 

We sat down with Dr. Marc Ott, Head 

of School, to discuss the school, its history, 

the educational structure, and where Leysin 

American School is headed in the future. 

Tell us a bit about yourself, your family 

background and what made you choose 

education as a career? 

Leysin American School was founded by 

my grandparents at a time just after the war 

and then the Cold War, when there was a 

permanent presence (primarily American) 

in Germany, and then in all the NATO 

countries. 

My grandfather was asked, because of 

his background in education, to open up 

Department of Defence schools, but as he 

opened these up, he realised that a lot of 

them were too small to have high schools 

– and that’s where the initial idea for LAS 

was born. 

My grandmother came over from 

America in 1947 and started a Summer 

Program called the International Ranger 

Camps which was primarily based out of 

Switzerland – this was when certain ideals 

that still surround the school were formed 

– bringing young people and counsellors 

together, working to support each other and 

leave politics aside. 

It was part of the post-war healing 

process, emphasising the human aspect of 

individuals, rather than labels of nationality. 

My grandparents discovered the perfect 

buildings to house the campus here in 

Leysin. A growing expat community and a 

relationship with the American DoD led to 

a need for more schooling options here in 


Switzerland, and LAS was born in 1960. 

My grandparents ran the school until 

the late 1970s, then the Board came to my 

father and he and my mother ran the school 

until they started retiring about 12-13 years 

ago. 

So, my background has always been 

associated with the school. I went through 

the Swiss education system and studied at 

the University of St. Gallen before I moved 

to the US for a few years where I did my 

Doctorate at Teachers College, Columbia 

University in Education Leadership – 

already I was channelling my energy to take 

over the school. 

My wife and I came back in 2005, and 

it was about a 4-year transition until I fully 

took over the position of Head of School. 

She is a medical doctor and runs her own 

private practice in town. 

How do your experiences and 

philosophies inform your approach as 

Head at Leysin American School? 

We are probably one of a rare few boarding

schools here in Switzerland where the 

children have to do their own laundry – 

they have to clean their own rooms - it 

might sound silly – but these are skills 

you need when you’re growing up and 

becoming independent. We want to develop 

social skills, emotional skills, and coping 

skills as part of a great boarding school 

education. 

We are also very keen to keep the 

concept of family values very present 

and as dominant as possible, but at 

the same time we want to open up the 

door to development and advancement 

opportunities. 

One of the first things I brought in 

(back in 2001) was setting up a 501(c)(3) 

foundation. US taxpayers can donate to 

these organizations and deduct them from 

their taxes and this has enabled us to better 

manage fundraising and to better support 

our students. 

We use the funds not just for improving 

the quality of the school and expanding 

the opportunities we can provide, but to 

offer a scholarship fund for students in 

disadvantaged areas or situations (such as 

refugees or taking on additional students 

from Ukraine), and for SUMMIT, our 

comprehensive capital campaign which will 

be used to build our Innovation, Creativity, 

and Entrepreneurship programs and center. 

can to connect our students with impactful 

experiential learning opportunities so they 

can see the practical applications of their 

studies at work in the real world. 

How do you encourage a love of 

learning? 

I believe as a boarding school our holistic 

education is a tremendous strength. It’s 

breaking down what I would call silos in 

education. Day schools, unfortunately, 

finish at 3:30pm and you go home – the 

student is no longer connected or the 

school’s concern; but what I find magic with 

boarding schools is that we can really do a 

lot for the children – we’re not just talking 

academically, but in broader education 

– that’s why we come have our vision of 

working to support the ‘whole’ child. 

What is your favourite thing about the 

learning environment that makes LAS 

stand out? 

Obviously, it’s important to have good 

facilities, and overall we have really good 

facilities. We completely renovated the 

athletic centre about 6 years ago, and 

we’re doing some work on the dorms and 

classrooms – there’s always something 

happening. These enhanced spaces provide 

an exceptional environment in which our 

students can grow and succeed. 

But I do think, beyond this, it comes 

down to the people – a good school is about 

“We want to develop social skills, emotional 

skills, and coping skills as part of a great boarding 

school education.” 

What have you learnt from your time as 

the Head of the school? 

As an educational institution, innovation 

falls very much around creative thinking 

and being compassionate – taking the time 

to care for others. 

Being responsible, learning what those 

responsibilities are, and being citizens 

of the world – we are here to learn from 

the different cultures, backgrounds, and 

nationalities. 

I have learned that it is essential to 

teach students to value the international 

dimension and put human beings above the 

labels that are created around them. 

Describe the typical LAS Student? 

Can you tell us a bit about the type of 

students you attract? 

The LAS student is innovative and 

creative—they value the experiential 

education that we can give them and they 

aren’t afraid to think outside of the box. 

Education isn’t limited to the confines of a 

classroom. We seek out every chance we 


the people, which is why I do think we 

attract a lot of families to the location. 

The location also, being up in the 

mountains, is a huge change for the 

majority of our students who grow up in 

cities. The quality of life, safety, close access 

to major cultural centres – but also having 

that connection to nature and not being 

disturbed in cities that never sleep. 

I think Leysin is very conducive to 

learning, and the ability to find an inner 

peace, because we’re in such a beautiful 

location. 

What do parents of LAS students value 

about the school? 

They value the staff. We follow a triple layer 

educational philosophy and boarding school 

philosophy, where all our teachers aren’t just 

qualified in their subject areas – but they’re 

involved in student life (trips, leadership 

programs) and residential life. Most of our 

teachers live directly in the dormitory and 

look after the students, so the holistic policy 

extends to not having separate dorm staff 

from the teachers – it’s all one; and if a 

student is having a rough time, or personal 

issues, the teachers are on hand to connect, 

and to let the other teachers know so there’s 

greater understanding and compassion. 

What are the main principles and 

philosophies you promote at the school? 

The LAS vision essentially focuses around 

three pillars. 

The first is called ‘Whole Child’. We’re 

not just looking at academics – but how we 

take care of the students. It includes SEL 

(Social Emotional Learning), leadership, 

and the growth that students enjoy through 

academics, student life activities, schoolsponsored 

travel, and residential life (life in 

our dorms and on campus). 

The second pillar is Attitude 

Learning and the curriculum, we call 

it ICE (Innovation, Creativity, and 

Entrepreneurship). We realised that a lot of 

our Alumni are entrepreneurs in their own 

right, and we we will continue to focus on 

these three areas so that we can support our 

students as they develop. 

Our third pillar is our ‘Global Family’ 

which we see at different levels. It’s in-house 

with an advisory system for our students 

(the Faculty Family), but it’s also external 

with our Global Family connected with the 

Alumni – building and strengthening those 

relationships and family ties there. 

We also have the founding family at 

governance level, and it plays an important 

role in our guiding principles. Our mission 

statement is, “Developing innovative, 

compassionate, and responsible citizens of 

the world.” That’s what we do. 

When a new student comes to the school, 

how does the process work? 

We have a whole Orientation Program. So, 

we typically have the Dorm Prefects come 

in early, and they help with the new kids 

coming in; they’re assigned to help the kids 

get around (like a buddy system). 

We also have a program for the parents, 

because you have to keep in mind that 

most parents will come to visit a couple 

of times a year, and this is an opportunity 

to connect. We let them know who’s who, 

and how things work – because I think 

in any education, the key aspect and the 

partnership between the parents and 

students” with “the partnership between 

the parents, students, and school is probably 

the most important element for a successful 

education. 

Are there any areas that you want to 

develop, or that you are developing in 

the school? 

We created a program a few years ago 

which is called the EDGE Program. This 

allows students to merge different aspects 

of academics and activities together in a 

format. The structure was carefully chosen, 

we’re constantly working on the program, 

to give the children more opportunities 

to be creative and entrepreneurial, and 

to develop the skill sets that allow them to 

learn from their passions but still balance 

that with the needs of the curriculum and 

the IBDP. 


What do you think will be the major 

challenges facing students and education 

in the future? 

Education needs to focus more on social 

emotional research and collaborative 

skills and less on content knowledge. We 

need to give them better tools to learn 

independently. 

For example, having the ability to learn 

independently and find information – 

having the right skill set that allows them to 

find a proper source that they can trust the 

information or data from. 

Students need to balance the basics, but 

not get lost in learning details that aren’t 

going to relate to their chosen path; for 

example – unless you’re really into history 

(like me), you may never need to know that 

the last war between the UK and the US 

was in 1812. I had an interaction with a 

former student, and he said that the skills he 

really took from LAS were researching and 

learning and coping with difficult emotional 

issues (such as breaking up with his partner). 

Those were the most important parts of his 

education, not remembering some details 

of the war of 1812 when he took AP US 

History 20 years ago. 

I think we have to be realistic, and 

offer IB and AP Classes and a great 

curriculum, but also back these up by 


strengthening social, emotional, research, 

and collaborative skills. 

What is your vision or ambition for LAS 

graduates? 

We have students who will be graduating 

at 18, and generally will start to enter the 

labour market within the next 6-7 years if 

they go on to graduate school. 

We’re focusing more on skills and less on 

content knowledge. 

So, the question is – what are those skills? 

Independence, autonomy, how to learn 

independently and find information – these 

are the basics they should know. 

These are the basics that stay with our 

students beyond the content knowledge. 

We want to give them what they need to be 

successful as they become the global leaders 

of tomorrow. 

How do you equip students for success? 

One approach we’re taking, is that we’ve 

essentially dropped CIS as an accreditation 

body. We are still members of the CIS, 

but we chose to go with the New England 

Association of Schools and Colleges 

(NEASC) and have actively started working 

on what’s called ACE (Architecture, 

Culture, and Ecology). 

It’s a transformative approach to learning 

that’s based on 10 learning principles that 

focus on impact than output, it’s what we’re 

engaging in now, to really transform the 

education process here at LAS. 

How do you make the best of Switzerland 

and everything it has to offer - do you 

have any hobbies? 

Personally, I think there’s a lot of outdoor, 

reading, and family time to enjoy. I also 

consider myself, even on a professional 

level, to be fulfilled – I’m an External Head, 

in that I serve on several Boards. I’ve been 

on the Board of the Federation of Swiss 

Private Schools (which is essentially a 

federal level lobby group) and chaired 

the Swiss Group of International Schools 

(SGIS) for four years; and I’m also the 

Vice-Chair of the Regional Tourist Office 

Association. 

So, I do different things, which gives 

me an opportunity to reach out beyond 

my own little bubble and have an outside 

perspective. 

I also enjoy the multicultural dimension 

of switching languages and approaches and 

communicating with different people. 

ABOUT LEYSIN AMERICAN SCHOOL 

With their idyllic campus tucked away in the mountains, and the safe, residential 

community spirit of the campus, LAS seeks out every chance to connect their students with 

impactful, hands-on learning, that augments traditional classes, and gives their students 

a fundamental understanding of vital development skills including teamwork, critical 

thinking, and entrepreneurship. 

Offering a US High School Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement 

courses and ELA programs, LAS sees students enjoy a wide range of extracurricular 

activities in sports, arts, drama, and music, as well as taking part in cultural travel. 

With a focus and emphasis on university counselling, and a family environment, LAS 

provides a stable, caring, and supportive structure not only for the students, but for their 

families, and alumni as well. 


Parenting through 

Adversity 

WRITTEN BY ISP EDITORIAL TEAM 

Adversity is defined as experiences 

that disrupt normal life and create 

undesirable outcomes such as 

loss of balance, safety, and security. It can 

encompass many different things, from 

divorce, loss of a loved one, to global issues 

such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the war 

in Ukraine. 

Difficult or unpleasant situations 

are part of normal life. Whether we 

experience adversity directly or secondhand 

via friends, family or even the news, 

it is something that we all – including our 

children - must deal with in some way or 

another. 

The way we deal with adversity differs 

from person to person. A life altering event 

to one person, may be a bump in the road 

to another. The point is, there is no right or 

wrong way to experience adversity. 

In the past three years we have lived 

through a pandemic, a number of natural 

disasters and now a war. For both adults 

and children this could be hard to deal 

with and the fear and anxiety could have a 

lasting impact on their mental health. 

On one hand, adversity can lead to 

greater resistance and to being better 

equipped to handle difficult situations in the 

future. However, it most often brings stress 

and anxiety that can manifest in ways such 

as poor sleep, lack of concentration, loss of 

appetite or being irritable. Over extended 

periods of time these effects can have a real 

impact on our children’s lives. 

Should we be talking to our kids about 

adverse situations? 

As parents we instinctively want to protect 

our children from bad news. However, for 

the most part we have no choice but to talk 

to them about unpleasant situations and 

events. Even if you do your best to shield 

your child from news about tragedy, the 

media – social or otherwise - or even their 

friends will make sure they have some idea 

of what is going on. 

Consequently, rather than it being a 

question of should, it is more a question of 

“how”. 

So, how do we talk to our children about 

adversity? 

Children look to their parents to feel safe 

and secure, especially when things are 

tough. Talking to your child about tragic 

world events can be tricky – no one wants 

to make their child more anxious. UNICEF 

has come up with an eight-point plan for 

addressing adversity, which provides sound 

advice for parents and caregivers. Let’s 

break down these points and what they 

mean in 2022. 

1 

Find out what your child already 

knows 

Pick a time when your child is relaxed and 

comfortable – preferably not right before 

bed. Ask your child about what they have 


“Give your child your full attention and be sure to address 

only the issues they are concerned about – there is no 

need to bring up extra stressors if it is not necessary.” 

heard and how they are feeling about 

the adverse situation. Perhaps they have 

misheard or misinterpreted something – 

this is a good opportunity to gently correct 

them. 

Be reassuring and not dismissive of their 

feelings. Give your child your full attention 

and be sure to address only the issues they 

are concerned about – there is no need to 

bring up extra stressors if it is not necessary. 

2Be age appropriate 

Children process stress in different ways 

depending on their age and development. 

Make sure you use language they 

understand and watch for how your child is 

responding. If their anxiety spikes, tone the 

conversation down – remember your child 

will take their cues from you, so remaining 

calm is crucial. 

3Be compassionate 

It is easy, especially in times of conflict 

to be prejudice towards a country, culture, 

or its people. It is important that we teach 

our children to show compassion for all 

people adversely affected by the situation, 

regardless of the side they find themselves 

on. Tough times call for empathy and it is 

our job to set the right example. 

4Focus on what is being done to 

help 

Something that is really reassuring to 

children is knowing what people are doing 

to help and that at the end, things will 

be ok. Using the example of the war in 

Ukraine, it could help your child to feel like 

they are helping if you allow them to draw 

a picture or flag to place in their window. 

5Close with care 

These conversations can be difficult; 

therefore, it is extremely important that 

before you finish talking, that you assess 

your child’s wellbeing. Be sure to remind 

them that they can talk to you anytime and 

if they need a hug or gentle transition to a 

new topic make sure you give that to them. 

6Check in regularly 

As situations continue, you must check 

in with your child. Children react differently 

to adverse events - some more obviously 

than others. Look out for signs of stress 

and anxiety such as becoming clingier, 

grief or even anger. Try to find techniques 

for managing these feelings. Breathing 

exercises, letter writing and journaling - 

depending on the age of your child – are all 

good ways to channel their feelings and help 

them remain calm. 

7Limit exposure 

If you have younger children, you may 

want to consider switching off the news 

when they are around. They do not need 

to see every upsetting headline or images 

from the frontlines. In the case of older 

children, use the opportunity to talk about 

fake news and how to get information 

from trustworthy sources. It is also a good 

time to discuss how much time they spend 

consuming news media and can be a 

great opportunity to set limits for media 

consumption. 

8Take care of yourself 

If you are struggling, how can you 

expect your kids to cope? First and 

foremost, we need to take care of ourselves. 

Only then will we have the capacity to 

properly support our children. Remember 

to take time out and reach out to your own 

support network if you are not ok. Make 

sure you are consuming news from reliable 

sources and that you also set yourself limits. 

Give yourself time to relax and to process 

your own feelings. By looking after yourself, 

you are ultimately taking care of your whole 

family, so do not neglect this important 

aspect. 

Parenting through adversity requires us 

to be prepared to have open and honest 

conversations about difficult topics. It also 

means being aware of changes in our child’s 

behaviour and having tools in our kits for 

supporting and reassuring them when 

needed. This also means taking care of our 

own mental health so that we may be able 

to help our children carry their emotional 

load. 



ADVERTORIAL 

Modern classrooms allow for 

flexible teaching arrangements 

What parents say about 

Academia Schools 

It all started with the vision of 

establishing the best school for children 

and young people in Basel. A school 

in which students, teachers and staff can 

flourish and invest in their strengths. 

A place where learning is fun and new 

horizons are opened up. A community 

in which students, parents, teachers and 

staff feel at home – whether they are 

permanently based in Switzerland, have 

recently immigrated or are only in the city 

for a few years. 

What started in 2009 with 16 students 

at the Academia International School 

Basel is now one of the largest education 

providers in Switzerland supporting pupils 

from Pre-Kindergarten through to the 

end of Secondary School. Though we 

still strive to improve, testimonies of our 

students’ parents show that we are on the 

right path to make our vision a reality. One 

international family made the following 

experience with Academia: 

“We joined Academia in Basel from its very 

early stages and both our boys stayed for 7 years. 

Over the years it was sometimes difficult, but the 

school always gave us a good feeling about its 

approach and commitment, as well as a philosophy 

of creating ownership with the children. Moving 

away from Switzerland and into a new school 

system was a test of what our boys learned at 

Academia. I am pleased to report that our concerns 

were unwarranted. Both our boys passed the highest 

level of schooling with excellent grades in their first 

year back.” 

Bilingual Education from Pre- 

Kindergarten to Primary School 

Terra Nova Bilingual School in Küsnacht 

and Academia Bilingual School in Basel 

and Winterthur offer classes from Pre- 

Kindergarten to the end of compulsory 

schooling. Parents especially love that 

each child can develop at their own 

pace and level in a caring and nurturing 

environment. As one mother, originally 

from Italy, put it: 

“We love Academia. Great teachers and staff, 

great community. My son has never felt so happy 

and supported, appreciated as a student with his 

individual needs. He loves to go to school every 

single day.” 

Moving from an English-speaking 

country to Switzerland can be challenging. 

For many families, a bilingual education 

is thus a soft landing into Swiss life and 

education. Our language booster lessons 

entail additional support in the second 

language to help newcomers commence at 

our school. One of our American families 

expresses itself as follows: 

“We have been very happy with the caring and 

nurturing environment provided throughout the whole 

school at Terra Nova. Our children received excellent 

language support and were proficient in the German 

language in a surprisingly short time despite 

having joined the school without speaking any 

German. The school provides a fun and stimulating 

atmosphere in which to learn.” 


ADVERTORIAL 

Each school has its own 

characteristics. Academia 

Bilingual School Basel is located 

in a beautiful historical villa in a 

large garden with plenty of space 

for playing. 

Lower Secondary School – door opener 

to various educational pathways 

Lower secondary school (Years 7 to 9) 

are offered at our bilingual schools in 

Winterthur and Küsnacht and at Academia 

International School in Basel and Zurich. 

Our teaching at all four locations is based 

on the official Swiss curriculum (Lehrplan 

21) and the Cambridge International 

Curriculum; this safeguards the option to 

continue at a state-run school or further 

education institution in Switzerland as well 

as abroad. This international mindset is 

especially appreciated by expat families, 

such as this American mother of two pupils 

in Basel: 

“We are very grateful for this amazing school. 

We just moved to Basel and there was a lot to adapt 

to including learning the language. My introverted 

kids felt at home from the first day (...). The 

teachers, the principal and staff are extremely loving, 

welcoming and open-minded. My kids have been to 

three schools before this one and it is by far the best. 

I cannot recommend this school enough.” 

Small by design and innovative by nature 

– our IGCSE- and A-Level-programme 

At Academia International School in Basel 

and Zurich, students prepare for their 

International A Levels. These qualifications 

are recognised around the world and open 

doors to universities across the globe. 

International A levels allow students 

to choose their subjects based on their 

individual strengths and interests – one 

of the many advantages when studying 

at Academia International School. 

One mother appreciates the following 

aspects: 

“Academia allows our son to study A 

Levels according to his interests and to 

prepare for them in small classes. The 

teachers attach great importance to the fact 

that besides specialized knowledge, the young 

people learn how these subjects are put into 

practice.” 

Academia International school aims 

to provide academic excellence in a cosy, 

caring environment. Another father of one 

of our A-Level students also confirms that 

studying at Academia International School 

is more than learning the subject matter: 

“Academia is one of the best schools in the 

city of Zurich. The attention to the needs of 

individual students and a world-class international 

environment are a great benefit. The school provides 

a conducive atmosphere to students to explore their 

creativity, interests and encourages individual 

expression. It helps to develop the self-confidence 

of children and prepares them to excel in life. I can 

easily recommend the school.” 

Our college in Basel receives great 

Innovative teaching methods at out college, 

e.g., at Academia International School Basel, 

where students express their understanding 

of the human heart through art. 

feedback, too: 

“This school is fantastic. Why? Because we’ve 

never experienced such a level of care coupled with 

really high-quality teaching. The exam results have 

always been outstanding.” 

We are proud of what we have achieved 

over the last 12 years and grateful to receive 

such wonderful feedback from our parents. 

Would you like to become part of our 

school community? Get in touch with us to 

learn more about your schooling options at 

Academia. 

www.academia-schools.ch 


Looking Towards University 


Time really flies. One moment you are helping your child 

take their first steps, the next they are finishing high school. 

At what point should we as parents start planning for our 

children’s higher education? Depending on where you live and/ 

or where your child studies, the cost of tertiary education can vary 

wildly – from basically free in most European countries, to costing 

in the hundreds of thousands of dollars in the US. Regardless of 

your child’s situation, the key to a successful university transition is 

preparation. 

It’s never too early… 

For those of us outside the US, the idea of a ‘college fund’ is 

quite foreign. However, given that in many countries, university 

is actually quite expensive, starting to save for this early on is not 

a silly idea. Small student loans can spiral into much larger sums, 

so being able to help your child with this expense gives them a 

wonderful head start in adult life. 

That aside, high school is the time to really start thinking about 

what comes next. Your child may not have all the answers straight 

way – high school is about figuring stuff out. When it comes time 

to choose elective subjects and activities, ask your child if they have 

thought about what they might want to be. Your child may say they 

want to be a solicitor or a nurse but may not know what they must 

do to get there. Asking early also gives you the chance to do some 

googling! 

These days most schools have a career or guidance counsellor 

who is generally more than happy to provide up-to-date 

information about which subjects students should take to get into 

a particular field of study. If you do not have one of these advisors 

at your disposal, you can contact the university directly and speak 

to their admissions counsellors. An added benefit of speaking 

to an admissions counsellor is that you are able to ask about 

extracurricular subjects and any other activities your child should 

get involved in to help them to acquire relevant and useful skills (as 

well as looking good on their application). 

So many options 

Coming from the International Schools sector, being abroad is 

likely something your child is accustomed to. It is also possible 

that your child will consider institutions in a range of destinations 

for their tertiary study. Knowing which country your child would 

like to study in, or which universities offer the course that they are 

looking for will help you to prepare. 

Application deadlines 

Perhaps your child has identified universities in a number of 

countries. Depending on the country, application deadlines may 

be very different. Another important aspect to consider is whether 

your child will be an international student. Often the application 

deadline for foreign students is weeks – sometimes months - from 

that of domestic students. 

Although university deadlines vary depending on the course, 

institution, and country, most fall somewhere between November 

and February for the Autumn semester. Once your child has an 

idea of programme and which universities they want to apply 

for, the best thing is to double check online the exact cut-off date. 


Beware, subjects like medicine, veterinary science and law tend 

to have earlier deadlines. This information is usually found in the 

Admissions tab/area of the university website. 

Make sure your child does not leave it to the last minute. 

Sometimes courses require specific testing, motivation letters and 

interviews before candidates are accepted. Oxford University 

recommends students start preparing their applications in June for 

the entry into the Fall semester of the following year. Using this 

as a guide would give students ample time to take tests, arrange 

references and write motivation letters. 

If there is a chance your child may defer entry to their 

programme to go on a gap year or similar, make sure this is 

possible. There are a number of courses that do not allow differed 

entry. Check this up front to avoid disappointment. 

In addition to application cut off dates, there are also scholarship 

deadlines. Regardless of whether your child is aiming for a partial 

or full bursary, know that scholarship deadlines are different 

to application deadlines and may require extra written work, 

interviews, and preparation in general. There are also a number of 

scholarships for international students and students from developing 

countries. This information is usually found on the university’s 

website or via a scholarship database like scholarshipportal.com. 

Which extra curricula activities will benefit your child’s 

university application? 

When it comes to competitive courses, extracurricular activities can 

make all the difference. Sports, clubs, activities, and volunteer work 

all help to give the university admissions team a full picture of your 

child, their interests and skillset. Depending on the target degree 

there are clubs and activities that are more beneficial in terms of 

university entry than others. For example, if your child intends to 

study politics or law, being on the debate team or Model United 

Nations may be a great way to demonstrate their interest, and 

practice applicable skills. How do you know which activities could 

help your child? You could encourage your child to speak to the 

school careers counsellor (if there is one available) or to contact the 

university admissions centre. Failing that, you could tap into your 

network. 

What are Networks for? 

Although you shouldn’t rely on your old classmates and business 

colleagues to get your child into a particular school or course, there 

is nothing wrong with getting some ‘insider’ tips before submitting 

an application. Likewise, if your child wants to be an engineer and 

you have one in your circle, ask them to have a chat with your child. 

Your child may have questions that they are not comfortable asking 

in a formal setting, like how much do engineers really get paid and 

whether they have to work weekends. 

Going to university is one of the most important decisions your 

child will ever make. Through being supportive and prepared you 

can help them avoid unnecessary stress. Having an overview of 

what is needed and what should be submitted or arranged by when, 

early on in their secondary education will make sure that they do 

not miss or rush towards any deadline. This, combined with a 

strong extracurricular resume will give them the greatest chance of 

getting into their choice of programme and school. 


ADVERTORIAL 

Switzerland 

Home of Innovation 

When you think of Switzerland, 

you probably think of Alpine 

peaks and amazing ski resorts, 

together with prestigious international 

organizations like the UN. You might also 

think of stunning luxury watches, or major 

financial institutions. For many people, 

Swiss chocolate is their main association! 

Innovation, however, is not often the 

first thing that comes to mind. And yet, 

Switzerland has been ranked the world’s 

number one country for innovation for 

eleven years running. 

Switzerland maintains its position as 

innovation world champion, having once 

again secured its top spot in the WIPO 

global innovation index in 2021. This wellearned 

recognition has acted as a magnet 

for some of the most established names in 

business, with 15 Fortune 500 companies 

opting for presence in the country. 

Switzerland also boasts one of the world’s 

highest concentrations of multinationals 

- approximately 25,500 in total. These 

companies fuel job creation, and in many 

cases are major players in high-risk sectors 

such as the food and pharmaceutical 

industries. Hoffmann-La Roche, Hewlitt 

Packard, Virgin, Deutsche Bank and Nestlé 

Nespresso are just some of the multinationals 

with presence in Geneva, cementing the 

Swiss capital as a site for industrial diversity 

and high-quality business services. 

Switzerland is also a hub for startups, 

frequently ranking among the top choices 

for entrepreneurs seeking to set up new 

ventures. The country’s success as a new 

business incubator is in part thanks to its 

advantageous geographical location and 

solid infrastructure, together with multiple 

seed funding avenues and easy access to the 

European market. 

Rather than being rendered a grand 

prize at the end of graduation, EU believes 

that these top class business working 

environments and experiences should be 

accessible to students throughout the course 

of their studies. The school organizes 

company visits to a wide range of corporate 

and non-corporate organizations, previous 

trips have included Swatch, Nestlé, and the 

United Nations Office in Geneva. 

This immersion forms an essential part 

of EU’s hands-on approach to learning, 

providing students with the up-to-date 

working knowledge and skills required for 

success across a range of industries. 

By combining classroom theory with 

real-world experience, EU students are 

encouraged to merge analytical thinking 

processes with creativity in order to solve 

problems and generate new ideas. This 

unique process forms the basis for the 

entrepreneurial mindset that will accompany 

them throughout their business careers. 

In addition to seeing operational 

processes in action, having contact with 

companies prior to graduation also gives 

students a head start on career-essential 

interpersonal connections. By interacting 

with professionals who are putting their 

knowledge into practice, students have the 

opportunity to learn from those in the know, 

refining and developing their understanding 

whilst continually growing their professional 

network. 

Is there another secret to Switzerland’s 

innovation success? The country as a whole 


ADVERTORIAL 

has an inbuilt appreciation for work-life 

balance, with a culture that makes room for 

relaxation in nature as much as overtime 

in the office. Downtime is where some 

of our greatest inspiration can surface, 

and there are fewer places more suited to 

helping a tired mind destress. A wander 

around Lake Geneva, a hike in the Alps, 

or even a fondue with friends, Switzerland 

offers an abundance of options to unwind! 

Embracing the same attitude, EU Business 

School provides a plethora of student clubs 

with something to suit every taste. From 

kickboxing to chess, social and charity 

events, finance clubs and cultural days, 

students are guaranteed to find something 

to suit their personal interests. 

Innovation is the driving force that 

forms the pulse of Switzerland’s culture, 

work environments, leisure and education. 

With programs encompassing fields from 

fashion to blockchain management, EU 

Business School encapsulates the open 

entrepreneurial spirit that ensures that 

budding entrepreneurs feel right at home! 

For further information visit euruni.edu 


ADVERTORIAL 

“A Rising Tide 

Lifts All Ships” 

Learning is a cultural habit; if teachers and learners alike are both motivated to learn, the 

outcomes for children can only improve. Truly successful schools promote a culture of 

learning throughout their communities, and the results speak for themselves. 

If we think of personal growth, development, and improvement 

in a school setting, it is entirely understandable to assume that 

the subject of that thought will be young people – students 

benefitting from foundational instruction before joining the 

adult world. In reality, however, a school should be a place of 

learning for any and all that are part of it. Without an attitude 

that considers the development and improvement of staff – the 

agents of learning in our young people - as central to reaching the 

organisation’s goals, a huge opportunity is being missed. 

Why staff development matters 

The best schools want to attract and retain sector-leading teaching 

staff with qualifications, experience, and competencies that would 

make them an asset to any learning establishment in the world. 

But there are two important questions to consider, here. The 

first is to ask how schools can get the best from their staff? The 

second is to carefully examine how that translates into learning 

and achievement in the classroom? The answer to both lies in the 

culture a school is willing and able to create. 

In all our professional lives – within and outside the world of 

education – the concepts of ‘appraisals’ and ‘performance review’ 

will not be alien to us. It would be reasonable to presume that such 

events (regardless of which ‘side of the table’ one finds oneself) 

are unlikely to be calendar highpoints. So how can these ideas be 

made positive, rather than mithering or intimidating, in a school 

community? 

Attitudes to personal development 

Effective personal development for teachers stands on three pillars. 

The first completely shifts the point of ‘agency’ in the process of 

development – from ‘top down’ to ‘self-directed’. By giving staff 

the space and tools to self-evaluate and draw up their own plans, 

the concept of personal performance becomes constantly owned, 

rather than periodically examined by a third party. Self-agency is 

key. 

Secondly, the strongest teaching units – be that subject faculties 

or grade-level staff - will work as teams to achieve the best for their 

students. Although introducing self-agency and self-evaluation 

“The best teachers teach out of a love for seeing development in young people, 

and so hearing feedback coming from those young people will always be the 

strongest motivation.” 


ADVERTORIAL 

to individuals will produce improvement, to do so with grade or 

subject groups generates even stronger results. Finally, and most 

importantly, we have the reason for personal development; how 

does everything we do positively affect our students? 

Bringing staff and student development together 

Schools must make an attitude to improvement cultural rather 

than imposed. For example, if we can take five minutes with 

our students, every three-to-four lessons, to ask them how their 

learning is going right now, it becomes part of the process. 

Equally, we can use senior leadership within the school to conduct 

informal interviews with staff and students separately about 

learning experiences before triangulating that information so that 

both parties can discuss it without fear of minor points being 

overexaggerated or legitimate suggestions being ignored. Crucially, 

we are setting an example for our students – that learning and 

developing is a positive and affirming process. 

The involvement of student voice in staff professional 

development is not easy - we cannot shy away from that fact – 

and it is for that reason that it is not more common. What it can 

achieve when done well however, as in our case, is remarkable for 

both parties. Students at ICS Zurich are actively given the time 

and space to talk about what it is like to learn at our school. This 

information is not only invaluable for crafting (self-directed) plans 

of personal development amongst staff, it also has far greater 

emotive resonance. The best teachers teach out of a love for seeing 

development in young people, and so hearing feedback coming 

from those young people will always be the strongest motivation. 

Self-reflection; a vital future skill for our students 

As parents we have perhaps all, at some stage, been met with a 

monosyllabic answer to the question of “…how was school today?”. 

However, the more that self-evaluation and reflecting on learning 

is encouraged culturally, in staff as examples as well as students, 

the more we can see metacognition develop in our young people. 

This is the single biggest gain from this process, especially for 

parents who want to be part of their child’s learning journey. To 

hear students tell us that, “I didn’t realise I could talk about my own 

learning like this.” is testament to how this culture embeds. To 

teach to a high level, all teachers must be superb, but if their own 

improvement can benefit the outcomes for their students both 

directly and indirectly, everyone stands to gain. The rising tide, in 

that sense, lifts all ships. 

At ICS Zurich, we believe that learning is cultural, and the ideas 

of self-reflection and self-agency in our learners are shown in 

the example of our teaching staff. To learn more about how our 

‘culture of learning’ creates such superb outcomes for our students, 

please contact our Admissions Team via our website, www.icsz.ch. 


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Improving University 

Experience, 1% at a Time 

Making the slightest changes in lifestyle can improve academic results, wellbeing, and fun 


University can be the first 

significant time fully living away 

from home, without the parental 

input and usual support structures to guide 

you to success. This is an amazingly exciting 

change, but can also be a little daunting. 

It is a time of steep learning curves, 

self-discovery, academic learning, physical 

exercise, intense socialising and everything 

else. Whether you find university life a 

breeze, or an occasional struggle, there are 

some very simple things to remember that 

make life easy, and help you get even more 

out of it. 

The theory of making ‘marginal gains’ 

was adopted by Dave Brailsford, coach of 

the British cycling team, in an attempt to 

improve their dismal record. At the time 

they had never won the Tour de France. 

Brailsford believes that improving your 

habits even by 1% across a number of 

areas from diet to sleep to hygiene, brings 

disproportionately enormous improvements 

to overall performance. Indeed, by making 

a series of very small changes to his team’s 

training and lifestyle, Brailsford led them to 

a series of awesome wins in international 

competitions. 

The principle of ‘marginal gains’ is 

connected to the idea that we form habits 

very easily through repetitive action, and 

then the sum of these small, repetitive 

actions impacts seriously on long-term 

results. This means that bad performance 

is not usually because of something that 

happened overnight, but more likely 


because we have formed bad habits, 

affecting us more than we realise. The 

relevance of this to university students 

is probably not immediately obvious. 

However, just as it led to more gold medals 

for the cycling team, this approach over 

time can lead to huge improvements for 

students in studying, socialising, and state 

of mind. 

Without making life any less exciting, it is 

possible to make yourself as strong, healthy 

and happy as possible, so you can get the 

most out of what you are doing. If you 

focus on improving small habits, as well as 

good outcomes, you will get there! 

Start small 

When trying to make yourself do a tiny bit

etter each week, it helps to start by making 

sure you implement all the small lifestylerelated 

things that may seem individually 

unimportant. Brailsford even concentrated 

on his team washing their hands properly 

and sleeping with certain pillows. Think 

of the value he would see for university 

students for example, taking at least two or 

three early nights a week; having a healthy 

breakfast; drinking two litres of water and 

eating the recommended five portions of 

vegetables a day; having a swim, run, yoga 

or sports session three times a week; or even 

just getting enough fresh air. All of these are 

easy to implement in the short-term, and 

can make a huge difference to feeling good 

in the long-term. 

Studying: about time 

In terms of academic studying, the theory 

of marginal gains is equally relevant. In 

cycling, the overall aim was to win the Tour 

de France, or an Olympic medal, which 

probably at times seemed insurmountable, 

particularly setting out at the beginning of 

training. At university, the goal to achieve 

the best academic results may be a few years 

away. In both cases, it might be tempting 

to put things off ‘til next year’ as the goal 

seems far enough in the future. Therefore, 

it is easier to focus on the processes you can 

improve on each week, a little bit at a time. 

Making improvements and goals that are 

more near-term can help avoid that niggling 

feeling at the very end, that you could have 

made life (and exams) easier, by working a 

little harder across the years. 

Start with the simple things that can 

make a huge difference to running your 

studying effectively. Many of the things you 

need to do each week will be the same as 

the previous week, so draw up a timetable 

for the term and fill it in with the concrete 

work, social and other things you know 

you will need to do, which gives automatic 

structure to your days and weeks. Put in 

everything you can - including any club 

nights, sports activities, alongside all the 

private study time, lectures, tutorials, and 

essay deadlines. If you try and stick to the 

timetable, a lot of the effort of trying to 

organise yourself and pulling emergency 

all-nighters will be removed. 

If you have a hobby, keep it up and set 

yourself goals to improve a little bit each 

week. You may think you don’t have time, 

but just one hour a week focused on your 

favourite music, dance, yoga, or sport will 

bring great results over time. Try and give 

yourself some time to discover your new 

city - there are likely to be museums, art 

galleries, markets, cinemas and parks to go 

and hang out in. 

A lecture on lectures 

It is the most tempting thing in the world 

not to go to lectures, but think about it 

this way: missing a one hour lecture or 

class each week for the whole term equates 

to around 10 hours a term, 30 hours an 

academic year, and around 90 hours in your 

whole degree. So although it might seem 

like it won’t make a difference, overall it 

adds up to around 4 full days and nights of 

teaching time, that you’ll just have to make 

up on your own. The same is true if you 

even manage an extra 30 minutes of daily 

vocab learning, equation revision, or set 

text reading - over your degree it will total 

hundreds of hours of extra practice. 

Make use of ‘free’ resources 

Another fairly simple thing to do is to make 

sure you know how all the university’s 

IT and library systems work - there will 

probably be sessions at the start of term or 

ask the librarian to go through things with 

you. This can help avoid disaster when you 

need an urgent book or internet resource 

for a deadline, and haven’t got a library 

card. The university might also be offering 

activities like one-on-one help with tutoring, 

classes and clubs. 

Finances: every little helps 

You have probably come out of school 

knowing the ins and outs of photosynthesis, 

Pythagoras and algebra, but may not feel 

too clued up about personal finances. 

Especially in the first term, university is 


full of exciting things to spend your money 

on. It is unlikely to be a time when you 

are making money, rather trying to put in 

place a few steps so that you don’t spend 

too much. A few things can help avoid hefty 

money stress! 

Whether it’s in the holidays or during 

term time, being able to bring in some 

money can give you a sense that you are in 

control over your finances. Some people 

prefer a regular shift in a restaurant or 

bar, whereas others like more ad hoc 

arrangements, such as tutoring or brand 

agency promotion work. Even if your 

university discourages students from having 

a job during term time, anything you 

can earn in the holidays will be a useful 

contribution. 

Most recent graduates advise current 

students to think twice about getting a 

student credit card or overdraft even if 

they are interest free - they are notoriously 

easy to spend, and hard to pay back once 

you have got to the bottom. When you 

leave university, many of them cease to be 

interest free, so you will start paying interest 

until you can repay the debt. This can add 

significantly to stress levels when you are 

trying to think about work or having fun. 

Similarly, store cards are not always the best 

idea as it is difficult to keep track of your 

spending on them. 

Most of all, take advantage of all the 

ways you can save money. Have an up to 

date student rail card, using loyalty cards 

in supermarkets, seek out restaurants with 

offers and so on. Every little helps! 

In the local town or city, do you know 

where things are that will help you be 

organised, such as finding your local 

bank branch, post office, stationery shop, 

pharmacy? 

Party time: be smart 

At university there are always people to 

go out with so if you want to you can find 

people to go out with every night of the 

week. The feeling that everyone is going out 

can make you feel like you have to for fear 

of missing out. Actually it is more likely that 

it is just not as noticeable when someone 

takes themselves off for an evening in with 

a film and an early night. The same is true 

during the day - people are all going to be 

having study breaks at different times, so 

it is theoretically possible to spend all day 

with different people, feeling like no one is 

working. So keep in mind that it is down to 

you when you study and when you go out. 

Enjoy it! 

One of the best parts of university is 

learning how to look after yourself and 

make the best of things, which inevitably 

involves making a few mistakes along the 

way. So don’t worry too much, try and do a 

little better each day, and have the best time! 

“Whether it’s in the holidays or during term time, 

being able to bring in some money can give you a 

sense that you are in control over your finances.” 

Support structures 

Just like Brailsford’s cyclists, make sure 

you have support structures around you. 

At home, these will have probably been 

organised for you by parents, teachers and 

others, but at university you need to set 

them up yourself. 

Sign up with your local GP - it’s not a 

great idea to wait until you get ill and have 

to struggle to find one, as they will need 

to transfer your notes from your previous 

doctor. Make sure you know where the 

university nurse or pastoral care centre is 

too. 

University gyms and swimming pools 

often offer cheap memberships to their 

students. It is worth taking them up on this, 

even if it eats into your budget for other 

things, to try and give your health even a 

1% boost each week! 


Share the dream with 

The Olympic Museum 

Have you ever wondered how it 

feels to be an Olympic champion? 

The rush of adrenalin? The 

intensity of crucial moments? Thanks to the 

latest computer technology and audiovisual 

media, it is now possible at the Olympic 

Museum in Lausanne. 

The magnificent Museum has over 

1500 exhibits, 150 screens, and ultimate 

experiences that will leave you with great 

stories to tell. Here you can discover the 

creativity of previous host cities and get an 

insight into the hard work of volunteers 

behind the scenes. 

The journey at the Olympic Museum 

in Lausanne begins with discovering the 

newly updated Olympic Park adorned with 

impressive sculptures by contemporary 

artists and sports installations. 

In front of The Museum, the iconic 

Olympic fire burns all year round, and 

Pierre de Coubertin’s statue greets the 

public while the fire burns eternally in its 

cauldron. Displayed is the motto (since 

1894) ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’, which reminds 

us of the Games’ origins and history. 

The Olympic World 

The first theme presented in the exhibition 

is the ever-expanding phenomenon of the 

Olympic World. It explores the vision of 

its founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin and 

will teach you how rooted the Olympics 

has been in our history since 1894. On the 

same floor, you will discover the 50 torches 

that have transported the Olympic flame of 

all Games since 1936 and go on a journey 

of Olympic history with an interactive 

timeline. 

Today there are 204 National Olympic 

Committees worldwide, and an incredible 

4 billion people shared the passion for sport 

during the last Games as either participants 

or spectators. 

The Olympic Games 

The Museum’s second floor is entirely 

devoted to the Olympic Games, which 

shapes the heart of every visitor’s 

experience. Here, you will learn about the 

stories and careers of many Olympians and 

the evolution of the sporting disciplines you 

know and love today. 

There is also the opportunity to view 

the Olympic program of the Summer and 

Winter Games and listen to an introduction 

to the birth of the Paralympics and the 

Youth Olympic Games. 

The Olympic Spirit 

How do you become an Olympic 

champion? What’s life like under 

competition conditions? How does it feel 

to win or to lose? On the third floor, the 

‘Olympic Spirit’, all these questions are 

answered for you. 

Through video, memorabilia, and 


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interactive installations, you immerse 

yourself in all aspects of the Olympic 

experience, including the joy, drama and 

the Olympic village atmosphere where all 

nations meet. 

Inspired by the daily life of champions, 

you can also try fun interactive exercises, 

which include balance and agility tests and 

challenging mind games. 

End your Olympic experience with an 

incredible finale presenting the medals in a 

180° audiovisual show. 

Riding the Olympic Wave 

Six new sports and disciplines were recently 

added to the programme of the Summer 

Games: 3x3 Basketball, BMX Freestyle, 

breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing and 

surfing. ‘Riding the Olympic Wave’ explores 

this evolution and presents these sports and 

disciplines with their social, cultural, and 

artistic contexts through art installations. 

The program is supported by cultural 

events, a digital exhibition, and more! Open 

until March 2023. 

Find out more here: https://olympics. 

com/museum/explore/programming/ 

riding-the-olympic-wave 

TOM Café - A café with 

breathtaking views 

Before leaving the museum, we recommend 

grabbing a refreshment at the TOM Café 

located on the top floor. This cafe boasts 

contemporary and sporty decor inspired 

by the Olympic theme, and has one of the 

most desirable terraces in Lausanne with 

spectacular views over Lake Geneva and 

the Alps. 

TOM Shop – Nothing usual here! 

A great place to start – or end – the 

Olympic Museum experience is at the 

TOM shop. Offering an exclusive and 

unique range of quirky and original 

products, you can take a piece of the 

Olympic dream home. 

Tuesday to Sunday: Open from 

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Mondays: closed. (except for bank 

holidays and special events). 

Closed: 24, 25, 31 December, and 

1 January. 

The Olympic Museum 

Quai d’Ouchy 1 

1006 Lausanne, Switzerland 

+41 (0)21 621 65 11 

info.museum@olympic.org 

www.olympics.com/museum 

Olympic Museum tickets, admission 

prices and hours of operation 


ADVERTORIAL 

Summer in 

Switzerland 2022 

© Schweiz Tourismus / Daniel Loosli 


ADVERTORIAL 

Summer in Switzerland 

offers endless possibilities 

for a family holiday. Soak 

up nature through the beautiful 

landscapes, feel the fresh 

mountain streams run over your 

toes and relax as children laugh 

and explore the many playgrounds 

and activities. 

Switzerland has numerous 

breathtaking regions to discover, 

whether you’re looking for a short 

break or a summer-long trip. 

Hike through enchanting forests, 

horse ride over the Jura or capture 

panoramic views as you have never 

seen before. Many activities are 

suitable for children, with fun trails 

and playgrounds to enjoy. 

Read below for our top familyfriendly 

destinations in Switzerland 

this summer. 

MySwitzerland.com/family 

© Switzerland Tourism / Dominik Baur 

Eggishorn View Point 

From the Eggishorn viewpoint, you get to see it all. Not only 

do you have a view of the 20 kilometres long Great Aletsch 

Glacier, but also Konkordiaplatz and the Eiger, Mönch and 

Jungfrau mountains. On days when there is not a cloud in 

sight, you may even spot the famous Matterhorn. 

Eggishorn’s viewpoint is easily accessible by cable car from 

Fiescheralp, making it a brilliant trip for all the family. Don’t 

forget to get your camera out to capture the magnificent 

moment! 

We also highly recommend the small but exquisite Horli- 

Hitta mountain restaurant if you feel hungry on your trip. 

© Switzerland Tourism 

/ Dominik Baur 

Herens cow educational trail 

Travel through six stations on the Herens cattle educational trail 

and discover the life of the Herens cows and also the people who 

live and work in the Nendaz region. 

The four-kilometre trail starts at Alpe de Tortin in the middle of 

the four Vallées and lasts roughly an hour and a quarter; however, 

there is no rush. You can peacefully enjoy all the spectacular 

landscapes around you in your own time. 

Hiking in the footsteps of the dwarf Bartli 

Bartli, the dwarf, lives in the magical Braunwald forest and 

emerges from his hut from mid-June to October every year to 

welcome families. He wears red trousers and a bright green 

jumper, so hopefully, you won’t miss him! Waiting to be discovered 

in the forest is eight enchanting places straight from a fairy tale. 

The magical places you can explore on your hike include 

the dwarf ’s castle, the gemstone cleft, the dwarf ’s cave, the 

Rindenhüttli bark hut, the dwarf ’s tower, Tiidi’s house and, finally, 

the dwarf ’s bathing spot. 

This long trail covers four kilometres with several hiking options 

to choose from. 

The Toggenburg Sound Trail 

Stretching over multiple stages, from Alp Sellamatt to Iltios and as 

far as Oberdorf, the Toggenburg Sound Trail is an extraordinary 

musical experience with 26 sound stations. Combining all kinds 

of curiosities with the most incredible landscapes, this is a thrilling 

route for all curious nature lovers. 

There are numerous sound-making activities available, such 

as forging singing bowls and bells, the alpine horn, yodelling for 

beginners and lots more. 

Jura - a paradise for horse riding 

Whether a novice or highly experienced, the Jura will feel like 

paradise if you are a keen horse rider. The gentle, hilly landscapes 

and expansive nature areas are captivating and perfect for all types 

of horse riding activities. 

The Franches-Montagnes is also the home of the horse of the 

same name, the only indigenous Swiss breed that lives partly wild 

on the Jura mountain range. As you see the horses wandering 

happily across the landscape, your surroundings will feel 

reminiscent of the Wild West. 


LAUSANNE 

The best ideas to enjoy Lausanne this summer 

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is THE destination for a weekend getaway this 

summer. Check out our helpful tips! 

1. LAKE GENEVA 

Enjoying drinks right on 

the water’s edge, 

embarking on a 

paddleboard outing, diving 

into the lake’s turquoise 

waters… Lake Geneva is 

absolutely the Lausanners’ 

favourite spot to make the 

most of the summer. 

4. LAVAUX 

For the most dazzling 

landscapes this summer, 

head to Lavaux, a UNESCO 

World Heritage site. A 

unique view over the 

vineyards, the lake and 

mountains awaits you there. 

Welcome to paradise! 

2. SAUVABELIN TOWER 

3. THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM 

After climbing the 151 

steps that lead to the top, 

you’ll discover the 

impressive 360° panorama 

over the town. It’s also the 

opportunity to see how 

green a city Lausanne is, 

with nature present 

everywhere. 

Visiting The Olympic 

Museum when you’re in 

the Olympic Capital is a 

must! After the visit, enjoy 

a stroll in the magnificent 

park and don’t forget to 

take a break on the 

panoramic terrace. 

5. PLATEFORME 10 

 

 

 

 

LOCAL’S TIPS 

YES, the largest European 

cultural spot is complete at 

last with the arrival of the 

Museum of Contemporary 

Design and Applied Arts, 

and Photo Elysée 

dedicated to photography. 

Both are joining the Vaud 

Museum of Fine Arts on 

June 18. 

Taste the delicious local products from the market 

Admire the view over the town from the 

Cathedral’s belfry 

Have drinks with a lake view at The Lacustre 

Book your Lausanne City Pass 

Find more on www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/5-essentials 

and follow us @thelausanner 

Impressum: pictures from Giglio Pasqua, Laurent Kaczor, Sébastien Closuit, Phillip Waterton, Urs Achermann & Etienne Malapert

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Interlaken Summer 2022 

This summer, a diverse world of adventure and action 

awaits you and your family in the Holiday Region 

Interlaken. In the heart of the dramatic mountain range 

around Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, you will marvel at new 

discoveries and make family memories that will last a lifetime. 

The region covers everything from impressive mountain 

excursions to fascinating museums and action-packed activities. 

The unique natural landscape of the Bernese Oberland is a 

beautiful family experience and offers an unforgettable holiday in 

the heart of Switzerland. 

Below, we have shared our favourite summer activities in the 

Holiday Region Interlaken. 

Ropes Park Interlaken 

In the Ropes Park Interlaken, nine courses with different difficulty 

levels take you through the forest. Climb high up into the tops 

of the trees or fly through the luscious forest on the zip lines. 

Wobbling obstacles, thrilling zip lines and exciting swing sets 

challenge you and are sure to increase your adrenaline levels. You 

will love this day full of fun at the Ropes Park Interlaken. 

Lake Thun Canoeing Trail – adventure on the water 

Discover Lake Thun’s picturesque shore on your own through the 

canoe trail. Five rental stations with canoes and stand-up paddles 

are available where you can rent the necessary equipment for your 

adventure. With the warm summer sun on your face, paddle across 

the glistening fresh water and race your family to the edge of Lake 

Thun. Who will win? 

Schynige Platte – natural paradise with remarkable views 

Board the retro mountain railway at Wilderswil station and prepare 

to be overwhelmed by unbelievable views of the Eiger, Mönch 

and Jungfrau as well as the surrounding peaks. When you arrive 

at 1,967 metres above sea level, don’t forget to soak up the view 

dubbed as ‘nature’s cinema’ and get ready for a scenic hike you’ll 

never forget. You can also enjoy a walk through the Botanical 

Alpine Garden or put your feet up and relax at the 100-yearold 

mountain hotel. Children can pass the time in the alpine 

playground with Lily the Cow’s carved mascot and solve the new 

treasure hunt mysteries to win great prizes. 

Ballenberg Open-Air Museum – experience Swiss tradition 

The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum is a great way to immerse 

yourself in past times and impressive Swiss culture. In just one 

day, you can experience all the wonders of Switzerland. Discover 

museums, traditional crafts and various centuries-old buildings. 

Perfect for the whole family, Ballenberg also boasts a playground, 

rides on carousel and a petting zoo for children to enjoy. 


The St. Beatus Caves – a natural wonder by Lake Thun 

The St. Beatus Caves are one of Lake Thun’s most popular 

excursion destinations. The enchanting waters and incredible stone 

world take you on a discovery trip through over 1 kilometre of 

extensive cave systems. One particular highlight is the impressive 

stalactite formations and unique shapes and colours of the 

stalagmites and stalactites. A must-visit.

Summer at Schilthorn: 

Adrenalin and Relaxation for families 

View. Thrill. Chill. The Mürren – 

Schilthorn is one of Switzerland’s 

most spectacular hiking regions 

that promises breathtaking vistas, 

adrenaline-fuelled experiences and ultimate 

relaxation in the enchanting mountain 

landscape. 

A cable car connects the Lauterbrunnen 

Valley from Stechelberg with the 

picturesque car-free mountain villages of 

Gimmelwald and Mürren, which ascend to 

the middle station at Birg that leads to the 

2,970-metre-high Schilthorn summit. 

VIEW from Schilthorn peak 

The Piz Gloria sits 2,970 metres above 


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sea level, surrounded by more than 200 

alpine peaks and embedded in an unspoilt 

mountain environment. The instantly 

recognisable building takes pride of place 

on the Schilthorn summit and offers a 

breathtaking 360° view of the Eiger, Mönch 

and Jungfrau-peaks, which align with the 

Bernese and Valais-Alps. 

Enjoy a delicious table-served meal and 

panoramic views at the 360°-Restaurant 

Piz Gloria as it rotates on its axis in 45 

minutes. The culinary delights range from 

simple snacks to regional dishes. Particular 

highlights include the James Bond Brunch, 

which is served daily until 2 pm, the 007 

Burger or the Piz Gloria afternoon platter. 

On the track of James Bond 

Did you know that the Schilthorn was the 

main filming location for “On Her Majesty’s 

Secret Service” from October 1968 to May 

1969? James Bond’s arch-nemesis Blofeld’s 

headquarters are located at the revolving 

summit restaurant called “Piz Gloria” - a 

name the restaurant still carries to this 

day. Visitors can dive right into the action 

in Bond World, the interactive exhibition 

dedicated to the movie. It features seven key 

scenes, along with film-related trivia. 

A relaxing interlude after the hustle and 

bustle of Bond World is available at the 

integrated Bond Cinema. In addition to 

scenes from the classic James Bond film, 

the 12-metre-wide, curved screen shows 

aerial footage of the magnificent mountain 

landscape. 

THRILL – Spine-tingling sensations 

at Birg 

The Birg station offers the most authentic 

thrilling experience; perched majestically 

on the rock massif, standing at 2,677 metres 

above sea level – around 1,000 metres above 

the village of Mürren. 

Built as an extension of the spacious 

sun terrace, the Skyline Walk observation 

deck is suspended over the vertical abyss, 

with panoramic vistas and exhilarating 

views into the void. Constructed from steel 

and reinforced glass with a grated floor, its 

angular design blends seamlessly into the 

landscape. 

On the opposite side of the terrace starts 

the Thrill Walk. The steel structure clings 

to the rock before swerving under the 

observation deck and cableway to end below 

the cable car station. There is also a crawlthrough 

tunnel, glass-bottomed floor, rope 

and cattle grid to add to the spine-tingling 

experience. 

More THRILL on the via ferrata 

Love an adrenaline rush? Don’t miss the 

Mürren-Gimmelwald via ferrata. This 

excellently secured “iron way” covers a 

distance of over 2.2 kilometres. Walk across 

a tight rope with rushing water below you, 

climb down steep ladders, zip line across a 

ravine, and more. 

This is an incredible experience and 

a great way to discover new heights 600 

metres above ground, always secured safely 

with a rope. 

CHILL-ing family moments on the 

Allmendhubel 

Those seeking a relaxing holiday in Mürren’s 

area will find it on the nearby Allmendhubel 

mountain. 1907 metres above sea level, 

the top family destination is accessible by 

funicular within four minutes. At the cosy 

panorama restaurant Allmendhubel with 

its spacious sun terrace, adults can tuck into 

a delicious meal while children play in the 

Flower Park adventure playground. 

This expansive play meadow offers a 

wealth of facts about the flora and fauna 

of the Alpine region. Children can explore 

a marmot burrow, fly with butterflies, milk 

cows and even make cheese here. Solid 

timber structures imitate the shape of giant 

flowers and oversized insects. Its colourful and 

imaginative design transforms this playground 

into a spectacular world of wonders. 

Head to the water labyrinth for a fun 

and refreshing experience - not just on hot 

summer days. Who will reach the finish 

line the fastest without getting splashed? 

The water is constantly changing direction 

making this a challenge only the quickest can 

complete! 

In addition to the Flower Park, visitors 

will find the Flower Trail. This floral-themed 

trail winds through Allmendhubel in about 

20 minutes along a wide path suitable for 

strollers, providing children and adults with 

a whimsical introduction to alpine flowers, 

meadows, and herbs. Admire over 150 

species, including gentians, alpine roses and 

edelweiss. 


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Discover the colour 

that best suits your 

ideal holiday by 

completing this quiz: 

© Ticino Turismo, photo by Enrico Pescantini 


ADVERTORIAL 

Your next colourful 

getaway to southern 

Switzerland 

© Ascona-Locarno, photo 

by Alessio Pizzicannella 

Ticino is a very special Swiss 

canton, located entirely to the 

south of the Alps it enjoys a 

beautiful Mediterranean climate. This 

favourable condition makes Ticino a 

pleasure to visit whatever the season. 

Immerse yourself in nature and 

experience the summer colours of Ticino 

through the glistening blue waters, 

tranquil green valleys, romantic sunsets, 

and vibrant array of flowers. There is 

also the opportunity to dive into Ticino’s 

history through medieval castles or military 

fortresses with kilometer-long galleries 

under the Gotthard massif. 

You deserve to taste the Dolce Vita 

Do you love holidays full of surprises and 

unique pleasures? Then, you’ll be amazed 

by Ticino’s Dolce Vita. Indulge in delicious 

coffee in one of Ticino’s most idyllic 

squares, stroll along Ascona’s lakeside 

promenade under the sun-kissed palms or 

unwind at the lido. 

There will be plenty of opportunities 

to put your feet up and relax with an 

aperitivo. All whilst the children play and 

laugh on the sandy shore lines. 

End your day with a stay at the fivestar 

hotel, Castello del Sole in Ascona, 

and enjoy a delicious dinner under a sky 

of stars. A family holiday in Ticino is 

guaranteed to create life-long memories. 

What if your family is very dynamic? 

Does your vacation need to be actionpacked 

with themed itineraries, a vast 

range of attractions, large green spaces and 

infinite leisure possibilities? Then, don’t 

hesitate to discover Ticino and its numerous 

family-friendly activities! 

One of the most appreciated 

attractions by children is undoubtedly 

the Swissminiatur in Melide, an open-air 

museum where you can admire iconic Swiss 

buildings and means of transportation in 

the unusual 1:25 scale. 

For children keen on the ultimate 

adventure, there’s so much to explore! 

Play at the Splash & Spa water park near 

Lugano, be amazed by the falconry and its 

birds of prey in Locarno or journey back in 

time at the Fossil Museum near Mendrisio. 

But don’t forget to dream about the 

adventures of the knights at Bellinzona’s 

fortress! 

Find out more 

about your next 

getaway in Ticino. 

© Monte Tamaro 


ADVERTORIAL 

Family holidays 

in Liechtenstein: 

relaxation and adventure await here 

Nestled between Switzerland 

and Austria, Liechtenstein is a 

mountain principality that feels 

like something out of a fairy-tale. Cultural, 

natural and culinary diversity meet here, 

meaning there’s something for all the family 

to enjoy. 

Liechtenstein promises a world of fun, 

whether it’s an exciting trekking tour with 

llamas, a spectacular adventure hike or an 

adventurous, full moon walk. 

Recharge your batteries in the Malbun 

family paradise 

The idyllic Malbuntal has already received 

the “Family Destination” seal of approval 

from the Swiss Tourism Association several 

times. Not only does the quiet mountain 


village offer relaxation for families, but 

the nearby main town of Vaduz and the 

surrounding mountains make the side valley 

the ideal starting point for numerous sights 

in Liechtenstein. 

If you want to spend a quiet day away 

from the hustle and bustle of the main town, 

you will find a place to relax at the nearby 

Gänglesee in Steg. Children can splash

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around in the cool water or build a reservoir, 

and Barbecue areas around the lake also 

invite you to eat and unwind together. 

Something for everyone 

In picturesque Malbun, you will find many 

family hotels that offer exciting children’s 

playgrounds and wellness areas for every 

age. Childcare is also available at the hotels 

for parents who want to enjoy some quality 

time together. 

A holiday to remember: Family 

experiences in the valley and 

mountain areas 

Experiences such as trekking tour with 

llamas and alpacas, a trip to the swing and 

researcher paths or a spectacular bird of 


ADVERTORIAL 

INFORMATION 

& BOOKING 

Liechtenstein Marketing 

info@liechtenstein.li 

T +423 239 63 63 

www.tourismus.li/en/ 

“Cultural, natural and culinary diversity 

meet here, meaning there’s something for 

all the family to enjoy.” 

Offer princely summer and 

autumn holidays 

1 night in a 3-star superior hotel 

from CHF 69.50 per person 

www.tourismus.li 

/famoffers 

prey show in Malbun make your family 

vacation in the Principality of Liechtenstein 

unforgettable. 

Nature-loving travellers can learn lots 

of interesting facts about the forest on the 

forest adventure trail in Vaduzm or enjoy 

cheese, wine and coffee on the FoodTrail 

from Vaduz to Schaan. The Walser 

SagenWeg in Triesenberg, the detective 

trails in Malbun and Vaduz or the rope park 

in Triesen also offer everything for a perfect 

family day in nature. 

A real summer highlight in Liechtenstein 

is the Grossabünt bathing lake. The freely 

accessible leisure facility attracts visitors 

with its crystal-clear, refreshing lake and the 

soccer field, climbing wall, and slackline. 

With the adventure pass, all doors are 

open to families. 

Would you like a holiday full of activities? 

With the adventure pass for the whole 

family, you enjoy free travel on all bus routes 

and have access to 30 leisure attractions 

worth over 300 francs. 

These include the high rope park in 

Triesen, the exciting Liechtenstein State 

Museum, the ceramics workshop in 

Nendeln and the chairlift in Malbun. You 

can also visit indoor and outdoor pools and 

many museums with the adventure pass. 

On foot through the whole country on the 

Liechtenstein Trail 

Mountains up to 2600 meters high and a 

network of more than 400 kilometres of 

well-developed hiking trails lure people to 

hike in the principality. However, if you 

want to get to know the country from all 

sides, you can embark on the 75-kilometre 


Liechtenstein Trail. The trail journeys 

through the local communities, idyllic 

nature reserves, vineyards, and blooming 

mountain meadows. 

It is best for hikers with children to cover 

the path in several stages. In addition, the 

convenient luggage transport service from 

hotel to hotel makes hiking here a more 

relaxed experience. 

www.tourismus.li/families 

Tour de Suisse guest in Liechtenstein 

2022 

Follow one of the biggest cycling races 

in the world live in Liechtenstein. On 

June 18, the Tour de Suisse finishes in the 

mountain town of Malbun and on June 19, 

the final individual time trial takes place in 

Liechtenstein’s main town of Vaduz. 

www.tds.li

ADVERTORIAL 

Discover Switzerland 

in less than two hours. 

swissminiatur.ch 

Swissminiatur is Switzerland’s largest open-air miniature museum. 

Immerse yourself in the miniature world of railway history and the most 

important buildings and monuments in Switzerland. Located in Melide, on 

the shores of Lake Lugano, the park is surrounded by majestic mountains 

including Monte Generoso, San Salvatore and also San Giorgio, which has 

been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

swissminiatur_paginaufficiale 

swissminiatur 

Management Swissminiatur SA 

CH-6815 Melide Switzerland 

T.+41(0)91 640 10 60 

info@swissminiatur.ch

ADVERTORIAL 

©Basel Tourismus, Photo : Teddy Verneuil 

Piet Mondrian, Woods near Oele, 1908 

Öl auf Leinwand, 128 x 158 cm 

Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Den Haag, 

Niederlande, Vermächtnis Salomon B. Slijper 

BASEL 

In Basel, art can be seen wherever you go, whether strolling 

through the beautiful Old Town or when visiting one of 

the almost 40 museums. With their themed collections, 

the museums have something for every taste, and many have 

reputations that stretch far beyond the Swiss border. 

Discover more with the free BaselCard! When you stay overnight 

in Basel, you will benefit from discounts on numerous cultural and 

recreational activities and other exclusive advantages. 

https://www.basel.com 

© 2021 Mondrian/Holtzman Trust 

Open Studio 

© Photo: Pati Grabowicz 

Kunstmuseum Basel 

Picasso – El Greco 

11.06.–25.09.2022 

In a large special exhibition, the Kunstmuseum illuminates the 

encounter of Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) with the old master El 

Greco (1541–1614), born Doménikos Theotokópoulos in Crete. 

Masterworks by both artists are juxtaposed in some forty pairings, 

tracing the course of one of the most fascinating dialogues in the 

history of art. Prestigious loans from across the globe are assembled 

around a core of Picasso masterworks from the museum’s own 

collection. 

https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch/de/ausstellungen/2022/picassoelgreco 

Events accompanying the exhibition Picasso – El Greco 

Children’s opening: Experiments with Colors, Light and Paper 

Friday, 10.6.2022, 6-8 pm 


ADVERTORIAL 

© 2022 Museum Tinguely Basel; Photo: Daniel Spehr 

Museum Tinguely with 

Schwimmwasserplastik by Jean 

Tinguely in the Solitude Park 

(view from the west) 

Pablo Picasso, Self- 

Portrait, 1901, Musée 

national Picasso, Paris, 

Photo: RMN-Grand 

Palais/Mathieu Rabeau 

© Succession Picasso, 2022 ProLitteris, Zurich 

Other family events 

Bring your Baby Tour 

Enjoy a guided tour of the collections with your baby 

Thursday, 23.6.2022, 10.15 am 

Fondation Beyeler 

Mondrian Evolution 

5 June – 9 October 2022 

Marking the 150th anniversary of the artist’s birth, the Fondation 

Beyeler will devote an exhibition to the Dutch painter Piet 

Mondrian. As one of the most important artists of the avant-garde 

movement, Mondrian shaped the evolution of painting from 

figuration to abstraction. His early work was influenced not only by 

late 19th-century Dutch landscape painting but also by Symbolism 

and Cubism. 

Family Tour 

Sunday, 26.06.2022,11 am–12 pm 

Tour of the “Mondrian Evolution” exhibition for children aged 6 

to 10 accompanied by an adult. 

Price: children up to 10 years old: CHF 7.– / adults: admission fee 

visit http://fondationbeyeler.ch/tickets for tickets 

Workshop for children 

Wednesday, 29.06.2022, 2–4.30 pm 

A tour to discover the exhibition “Mondrian Evolution”, followed 

by playful experimentation in the studio. For children aged 6 to 10. 

Price: CHF 10.– incl. Materials 

visit http://fondationbeyeler.ch/tickets for tickets 

Museum Tinguely 

BANG BANG – translocal hi:stories of performance art 

8 June 2022 – 21 August 2022 

Performance will be taking centre stage at Museum Tinguely all 

summer long. The show will focus on Swiss art, its stories, and their 

many interpreters, while at the same time laying on an exciting, 

international programme of happenings. From the spectacular to 

the scarcely perceptible, BANG BANG will give the incredibly rich 

history of performance art in Switzerland the attention it deserves. 

https://www.tinguely.ch/ 

Other Events at Museum Tinguely 

Summer Party & Opening | BANG BANG - translocal 

hi:stories of performance art 

Tuesday, 7 June 2022, 6:30 pm 

Costs: free admission, no booking required 

Family Sunday 

Sunday, 26 June 2022 / Sunday, 11 December 2022, 11:30 am – 5 

pm 

A workshop programme for the whole family to enjoy. 

Costs: museum admission, no booking required. Family Sundays 

are inclusive events 

© Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Basel 


ADVERTORIAL 

ON TOP OF 

MT. TITLIS 

(3020 metres above sea level) 

Experience new glacial heights and 

spectacular panoramic views from 

the top of Mt.Titlis, 3,020 metres 

above sea level. Take the Titlis Xpress cable 

car from Engelberg to Stand station in 

around 25 minutes, and from Strand, you 

can then hop on the Titlis Rotair, which will 

carry you up to the top of Titlis in a matter 

of minutes. 

TITLIS Cliff Walk 

The Titlis Cliff Walk is an experience like 

no other. This spectacular suspension bridge 

high on the summit is 3,041 metres above 

sea level, 500 metres off the ground and 150 

heart-pounding steps long, making it the 

highest suspension bridge in Europe. 

A route leads you through the glacier cave 

via an underground tunnel and onto the 

viewing platform at the south wall window 

when you reach the summit. The onemetre-wide 

suspension bridge then stretches 

to the Ice Flyer glacier chair lift station. 

Gaze into the abyss below and soak up the 

breathtaking views! An adventure you will 

never forget. 

Glacier Cave 

A magical world of ice awaits you in the 

glacier cave. Basked in a subtle turquoise 

light, the air here is so cold you will see 

tiny white clouds from your breath. 

This mystical 5,000-year-old cave is 

what forms the frosty heart of Titlis, 

with a 150-metre long walkway that 

descends 10 metres below the glacier’s 

surface. 

With easy access from the Titlis Mountain 

Station, this is an incredible experience not 

to miss. 

Trübsee (middle station 1800 metres 

above sea level) 

Many years ago, a muleteer called Engelbert 

and his pack mule Schmuggli would 

often undertake the strenuous route from 

Engelberg over the Jochpass to Engstlenalp. 

They would hide their smuggled goods in 

different places around Trübsee, which you 

can now hunt for on the trail of Schmuggli. 

At each of the six stations around Trübsee 

lake, you will find an object with a letter, try 

and solve the puzzle to win a prize! 

Trübsee Adventure Playground 

The Titlis Adventure Park will make all 

superhero’s dreams come true. There 

are many adventures to enjoy from the 

BagJump Tower, Trampoline2Bag or 

slackline, all with guided supervision. 

Perfect for all ages to practice balance, 

concentration and coordination. 

Schmuggli’s world of adventure 

July 2022 will see the opening of the new 

Schmuggli’s Sbrinz Trail. A puzzle trail 

on the mountain hike from the Hüethütte 

to the Untertrübsee alpine cheese dairy. 

Here you can solve tricky riddles during 

a 1.5-hour hike and, with a bit of luck, 

uncover Schmuggli’s secret writing. 

Trübsee Flyer Zipline 

Buckle up and take to the air down the 

500m Trübsee Flyer zipline. This is a 

thrilling way to experience panoramic 

views of Trübsee lake. Children aged 


8+ and adults can take the ride, but just be 

quick to grab a photo as they fly speedily 

down! 

Trübsee Lake 

Take a trip out onto the lake with your 

friends and famlly on one of the six rowing 

boats available to hire. Whether you’re a 

rowing enthusiast or simply want a relaxed 

lake adventure, this is perfect for everyone. 

Each boat has space for four people and life 

jackets are provided. 

Open daily from June to October. 

Overnight accommodation 

TITLIS Resort 

With all the hotel amenities a family could 

need, the Titlis resort, set in the heart of 

Engelberg, is perfect for a comfortable 

stay in beautiful apartments. The Resort 

offers a wellness oasis for all guests and has 

a range of apartments available with 2-5 

rooms, including a unique 3-room family 

apartment. www.titlisresort.ch 

Trübsee Alpine Lodge 

If a mountain view stay is something 

you have your heart set on, the Trübsee 

Alpine Lodge is the place for you. After 

an adventure-packed day, the cosy 

rooms promise a dreamy night’s sleep, 

and delicious food options await. www. 

hoteltruebsee.ch 

Hotel Terrace 

Hotel Terrace has it covered whether you’re 

searching for your next sporting challenge 

or want to relax and have a good time. The 

hotel is conveniently just a short lift ride 

from the village centre, and the bus stop has 

a free shuttle to the cable car station. www. 

terrace.ch

ADVERTORIAL 

The Swiss 

Education System 

– AN OVERVIEW 


Swiss education is renowned for being 

one of the world’s best. In fact, the 

2021 Best Countries Report places 

Switzerland sixth overall ahead of Japan, 

Sweden, and The Netherlands. The Swiss 

education system is largely decentralised. 

There are 26 cantons, and each has a 

degree of autonomy when it comes to 

curriculum development and assessment. 

The State Secretariat for Education, 

Research, and Innovation (SERI) overseas 

the cantons though their role is largely 

passive. 

In Switzerland, formal education begins 

at primary level. However, most children 

also attend Kindergarten before starting 

school. After primary school comes lower 

secondary, which turn is followed by 

upper secondary. This sometimes includes 

vocational training. At the conclusion of 

secondary school, students may apply for 

tertiary study at a university or other higher 

education institute. On the surface this 

may not sound too different to education in 

your home country. But when we dig a little 

deeper you will see that there are many 

nuances unique to the Swiss education 

system. 


Primary Education 

First of all, we must point out that 

there are a number of differences in the 

structure of primary education between 

Switzerland’s three main language groups: 

German, French and Italian. These include 

aspects such as start age and teaching 

methodologies. 

Primary education in Switzerland begins 

at around six years old and is compulsory. 

Children study at primary school for 

approximately six years. Generally 

speaking, children learn in the language of 

their region eg. German, French, Italian, or

ADVERTORIAL 

Did you know that 

in Switzerland 

around 45% of 

adults obtain a 

tertiary degree or 

diploma? 


Romansh. However, they are expected to 

learn a second national language, and also 

English. The rest of the curriculum is made 

up of mathematics, natural sciences, social 

sciences, humanities, music, art, physical 

education, and health studies. 

Primary school students receive a report 

card twice a year and, in some cantons, 

even sit small exams. At the end of each 

school year children are assessed as to 

whether they move on to the next grade. 

You also have the option to privately 

educate your child at primary level. In 

Switzerland there are three types of private 

primary schools: International, Montessori, 

and religious. 

Secondary Education 

Lower Secondary 

As mentioned earlier secondary education 

is split into lower and upper schools. Lower 

secondary school is attended by children 

aged between 11 and 15 and is therefore 

compulsory. 

Lower secondary school could be 

likened to middle school and is known as 

Gymnasium or Kantonsschule. Lower 

secondary education covers three years; 

however, it can last longer depending on 

the region and canton. 

“Upper secondary education is not compulsory in 

Switzerland. However, over 90% of Swiss students 

elect to further their secondary education.” 

Students at lower secondary school 

study the local language, a second national 

language, an optional third language, 

and English. Additionally, they learn core 

subjects such as maths, science, geography, 

history, civics, music, art, physical 

education, and home economics. 

Just like in primary school, the majority 

of cantons issue a graded report card twice 

per year. Students may also sit exams – 

defining whether they progress or should 

repeat the year. 

Lower secondary schooling finishes at 

about 15 years of age. Students may then 

choose to continue with their education and 

advance to upper secondary school. 

Upper Secondary 

Upper secondary education is not 

compulsory in Switzerland. However, over 

90% of Swiss students elect to further their 

secondary education. 

In Switzerland, upper secondary 

education is divided into two areas: general 

education and vocational schools. Students 

are expected to decide which track to take 

and enrol accordingly. For many expats, 

this is surprising as 15 seems very young to 

make such life-impacting decisions. 

Upper secondary schools are overseen by 

their canton and the federal government. 

This can cause dissimilarities between 

different schools and regions; however, all 

upper secondary qualifications are valid 

across Switzerland. 

Upper secondary schools fall into one of 

three categories: 

Vocational education and training (VET) 

schools 

These schools are the most popular 

choice for Swiss students. Basic vocational 

education lasts for two – four years and 

provides practical and technical training 

and usually includes an apprenticeship. On 

completion, students receive a Federal VET 

certificate, a Federal VET diploma, or the 

Federal vocational baccalaureate which 


egular university in that it does not 

award doctoral degrees. Another way in 

which Fachhochschule are different to 

traditional universities, is that their teaching 

methodology is heavily practical. 

Other types of study 

Kindergarten 

Kindergarten is compulsory for two years 

and begins at around four years of age. 

These institutions focus on play-based 

learning and creative stimulation. Parents 

can choose between public and private 

kindergartens – the main difference being 

cost. Public kindergartens are free, whereas 

private kindergartens can run into the 

thousands of euros. 

allows them to apply to a university of 

applied science. 

Baccalaureate schools 

It is very important to point out that 

this Baccalaureate is different to the 

International Baccalaureate Diploma 

taught at private (International) schools. 

About a third of Swiss students choose to 

go to baccalaureate schools, where they 

receive a more general education. 

On average baccalaureate programmes 

last for four years, however, they can take 

as little as three, or as many as six years 

depending on the canton. 

The baccalaureate programme is made 

up of core subjects, a specialisation, a 

secondary specialisation, and a final essay. 

Core subjects include up to three languages, 

maths, biology, chemistry, physics, history, 

geography, visual arts and/or music. 

Students also take an introductory course 

to economics and law, and are able to select 

optional subjects as well. 

Grades awarded at the end of the 

year determine whether or not a student 

progresses. To complete the baccalaureate 

programme, students must take – and pass 

- exams in at least five subjects and present 

a final essay. A baccalaureate certificate 

facilitating university entry is awarded to 

students that pass the course. 

Upper secondary specialised schools 

There are public and private upper 

secondary specialised schools in 22 cantons 

with around 5% of Swiss students in 

attendance. These schools provide a general 

and professional education and training 

(PET) for specific occupations. 

Students study core subjects related to 

their occupation of interest. As in previous 

examples, a student’s performance directly 

impacts their advancement to the next year. 

Specialised school programmes usually last 

for three years and concludes with exams in 

six or more subjects. 

In some cantons students can take 

an additional one-year specialised 

baccalaureate course that includes a 

traineeship or practical experience. 

Students who achieve the specialised 

baccalaureate may then apply to a 

university of applied science or similar. 

Tertiary Education 

Tertiary level education comprises a wide 

variety of institutions and courses. Did you 

know that in Switzerland around 45% of 

adults obtain a tertiary degree or diploma? 

Switzerland has 12 universities in total, 

of which 10 are regulated at canton level. 

Swiss universities are known for their BA 

and MBA programmes and as a result, 

there is a large international student 

population. 

University of Applied Sciences are also 

popular in Switzerland. In total there are 

eight public institutions of this kind and 

one privately operated. These universities 

offer subjects such as engineering or 

business. 

The final type of tertiary provide is 

a Fachhochschule. This differs from a 


Home schooling 

Home schooling is rare in Switzerland. As 

with other types of education, the rules 

surrounding home schooling also vary 

wildly from canton to canton. In fact, 

the majority of cantons prohibit home 

schooling altogether. 

In areas where home schooling is 

permitted there is a strict framework for 

parents to abide by, including annual 

registration and monitoring. 

Although home schooling is not a 

popular option in Switzerland, the 

Covid-19 pandemic has seen a shift in the 

educational landscape. After long periods 

of distance learning, more and more 

parents are starting to view home schooling 

as a viable alternative to traditional 

education. 

Special educational needs 

By law, children with special educational 

needs must be accommodated within the 

regular framework and until they are 20, 

can access specialist support. On occasion 

parents will choose to send their child 

to a specialist school. This maybe more 

comfortable for the child and may also 

offer specialist equipment and training 

methods. 

Swiss education is held in high regard. 

It has long ranked in the global top 10 

across all levels and sectors. However, 

the decentralised system makes moving 

between cantons somewhat tricky – more 

so than moving abroad! If you decide 

to educate you child in Switzerland, the 

prestige that comes with that, will place 

them in great stead for further international 

education and career.

Is a Gap Year Worth It? 


What is a gap year 

The idea of a gap year is nothing 

new, however its purpose has changed 

significantly in the last 20 years. What was 

once a year abroad for dropouts, hippies 

and ‘save the world’ types, has morphed 

into a rite of passage for millennials and 

Gen Z. 

According to the Gap Year Association, 

a gap year is “a semester or year of 

experiential learning, typically taken after 

high school and prior to career or postsecondary 

education, in order to deepen 

one’s practical, professional, and personal 

awareness.” 

That is a pretty academic description of 

what in some cases, is simply an extended 

holiday. But is it really just an excuse for 

parties in exotic locations and shunning 

responsibility? 

Let’s look at the different types of Gap 

Year and what they entail. 

Types of gap year 

Gap programmes 

For people (and parents) who need the 

security of a structured programme, 

there are a number of organisations that 

offer gap years. These range from careerfocussed 

domestic internships, ecological 

experiences in exotic destinations, sociocultural 

volunteering, and skills-based 

adventures such a mountaineering and 

seamanship. 

Many of these gap programmes 

also offer university credits and official 

endorsements meaning the benefits extend 

beyond broadening your perspective and 

experience. 

Informal Gap Years AKA Taking a 

year off 

This form of “Gap Year” isn’t structured 

or credited towards future study, however 

it is often heavy on a broad range of 

experiential learning. This type of freerange 

gap year (sometimes referred to as 

‘free radical’) doesn’t suit everyone. 

Some years ago, I embarked on an 

informal gap year. I had studied my heart 

out in my final year of high school, received 

exceptional grades and was accepted into 

my ‘dream’ course at university. But I was 

burnt out. So, instead of jumping into 

tertiary study, I packed my bags and head 

overseas. I had a semblance of a plan and 

somewhere to stay, but aside from that the 

pages were blank. 

My gap year did not go to plan. I arrived 

at my original destination and within 

three months had realised it wasn’t for me. 

Perhaps I jumped in too soon? Or perhaps 

I found myself at 18 alone in a very foreign 

land and that was simply too much for me 

to process. 

The beauty of an informal gap year is 

that you can change and adapt your plans 

at any time. I had committed to a year off 

and that meant I still had time to re-write 

my story. I packed up my things (again) and 

embark on a new adventure. 

My gap year was spectacular and 

although it lacked the structure and support 

systems of a Gap Programme, I learnt 

more about myself and my place in the 

world in those ten months than I could 

have ever imagined. 

Benefits of a gap year 

As there is no single formula, the benefits 

are broad and varied. However, in general 


“A gap experience provides time 

out to evaluate what is important 

and how that can be balanced 

within a future career.” 


terms a gap experience provides: 

• Deeper self-understanding and awareness 

• Increased maturity and self-reliance 

• Expanded world view 

• Time out to evaluate what is important 

and how that can be balanced within a 

future career 

• Opportunity to develop relational skills, 

both in dealing with other people but 

also in how oneself reacts in a variety of 

circumstances 

• A point of difference when applying for 

further study and/or jobs 

• Increased earning potential – 

international experience – especially if the 

Gap Year has included an internship or 

similar 

• Acquisition of a new language (in some 

cases) 

• Cultural understanding 

• Problem solving skills 

• Time to recover after the academic rigors 

of the final year of secondary study 

Personally, I found the biggest benefits 

to be the acquisition of a new language, 

international work experience, personal 

reflection, and growth, and when applying 

for jobs, something that made my resume 

stand. 

Parental Fears 

For many parents, the thought of a gap 

year is terrifying – one minute you are 

picking up socks off the floor and reminding 

your child to shower, and then next they 

are telling you they want to embark on 

adventure. Alone. 

But it is not just the fear of whether 

your child is ready to tackle a gap year. 

It’s also that they will decide not to attend 

university at all. It is fear that their intended 

destination has an undesirable crime rate 

and that they will not come home. 

These are very real fears and shouldn’t 

be waved away as overprotective or 

unreasonable. In my case, my parents were 

happy and supportive of my travels. I had 

always been a great student and they were 

sure that eventually I’d come home and fall 

into university life. Had my sister had the 

same plan, I’m sure things would have been 

quite different. Ask my parents about my 

sister and they will tell you that she went 

to school to “eat her lunch”. I am quite 

sure that had she suggested a gap year my 

parents would not have been so agreeable! 

Are parental fears founded? Let’s look at 

a few stats: 

• In the United States, 90% of Gap Year 

students go onto enrol in a 4-year degree 

course within one year of their return (Hoe, 

2016). 

• On average, Gappers achieve higher 

GPAs and shorter time-to-graduation 

ratios than non-Gappers. Students with a 

Gap experience need 4 years to complete 

a 4-year degree programme. Whereas 

students without needed on average 6 years 

to complete a 4-year programme (Hoe, 

2016). 

• Research in 2014 by the UK Government 

showed that students who take a gap 

year between high school and university 

are more likely to take unnecessary risk. 

Given that most gappers in this age group 

are aged 17 – 19, it begs the question of 

whether or not we are mature enough at 

that age for such an undertaking? 

How to help your child have an incredible 

experience 

For the most part, the best way to keep your 

child safe while on their gap year is to be 

involved. Talk to them about the type of 

experience they hope to have. Does your 

child have a destination in mind, or do 

they plan to spend time exploring an entire 

region? How long do they want to take 

off? Despite the name a gap year doesn’t 

necessarily have to be a full 12 months. Ask 

them whether they would like a structured 

programme or the freedom to roam. 

Finally, ask them how you can support 

them best. 

Gap years are often funded at least in 

part by parents. Even if you have the ability 

to finance your child’s entire trip, making 

them work for a portion of their expenses 

will help them value the trip and make 

more thoughtful decisions. 

Assisting your child in securing visas, 

vaccinations and arranging any other 

official document or health check is another 

way you can help protect them and make 

sure they are ready to take on the world! 

Lastly, before your child heads off there 

are a few difficult conversations that must 

be had. You may not want to talk about 

safe sex and sexual health, but these 

are important things to address before 

your child gets on the plane. Similarly, 

conversations around drinking, drugs 

and what to do when they are in an 

uncomfortable (or dangerous) situation are 

musts. Help your child to prepare for any 

situation, like it or not. 

Although there are some risks involved in 

taking a gap year, the benefits far outweigh 

the drawbacks. My own gap year impacted 

me profoundly. It wasn’t always easy – I 

cried many tears – but it helped me to 

become the strong, independent, and 

grounded person I am today. Gap years 

may not be for everyone, but they will 

change your child’s life. 


Supporting children 

through relocation 


Whether your family has moved abroad for the first time, or whether you are 

seasoned expats who have moved multiple times, children’s behaviour can change 

as a result of the upheaval. 

Resilient, happy, adaptable, 

outgoing, open-minded optimistic, 

international in outlook. These 

are just some of the adjectives that we 

hope we can attribute to our kids when we 

uproot them and move abroad. We hope 

that the long-term benefits of showing them 

all the world has to offer will outweigh any 

short-term difficulties in settling into a new 

school, learning new languages and making 

new friends. However, as with everything 

related to our children, the ‘settling in’ 

process can be far from smooth and they all 

have their own ways of reacting, particularly 

across different age groups. Trying to 

support children when you are likely to be 

undergoing some similar ups and downs, 

supporting your spouse, starting a new 


job, moving house and country is no easy 

task. Despite this, parents’ desire to provide 

support for all of them at their various 

stages and help them make a positive 

adjustment to their new life is strong and 

understandable. Although children behave 

in their own unique ways, luckily there are 

some common behavioural traits that they 

are likely to exhibit, and that other parents

efore you have also noticed. Being able to 

interpret these signs can help you support 

your children through the move, know what 

to expect, and better understand what they 

are experiencing. 

Hello, goodbye 

Many parents see their children handling 

saying hello to new experiences better 

than saying goodbye to their old life. 

Pre-schoolers tend to identify “home” 

wherever their parents are so may notice 

the effects of relocation less. Children 

between five and ten can develop strong 

but flexible attachments to friends and 

schools, meaning that if they are prepared 

adequately for the move, they can adapt 

quite quickly to making new friends and 

their new environment. For older children 

and teenagers, their largest anxieties are 

usually connected to leaving behind their 

friends, and a fear of missing out socially. 

This means that how you handle the first 

stage of the move itself is quite significant. 

For children of all ages, it is important to 

soften the idea that they must leave behind 

everything they know and begin anew. 

That is not to say that you should set false 

expectations about how quickly they might 

move back to their ‘home country’, but it 

is possible to relieve some of the upheaval 

in a number of practical ways. Before they 

leave, make sure they have dates to spend 

time with their best friends, and think about 

having a leaving party, organising a picnic, 

go-karting session, football match or other 

event to mark the move as something special 

in their lives. Talk with them about the 

social side of things, and explain that they 

are not losing friends, but how lucky they 

are to be gaining more all over the world. 

If possible, make sure they have a date in 

the diary when they will be able to see their 

friends again, so the goodbye is less final. 

Moving day 

To a lesser extent the idea that they 

are leaving familiar surroundings and 

possessions can also be unnerving. It is 

relatively easy to let them have a hand in 

certain areas of the moving process to give 

them a sense that they are also in control. 

What do they want to bring? Which of 

their original belongings do they want in 

their new bedroom? Make moving day into 

an exciting prospect, with special food and 

a sense of teamwork, perhaps with other 

family and friends coming over to lend a 

hand, and give the children responsibilities 

for specific parts of the day. Packing up 

and bringing along some of their favourite 

things is part of connecting them to the 

familiar parts of their old life. 

Second wave 

If all goes well in the first stage of moving, 

children are likely to be carried along by 

the initial excitement of everything being 

new, exploring their new environment, and 

life feeling a bit like an extended holiday. In 

the second phase after the first few months, 

children may experience a dip in enthusiasm 

and motivation, when the reality sets in that 

they are here permanently, or at least for 

the near future. This can manifest itself 

in changes of behaviour such as little acts 

of naughtiness and defiance, withdrawing 

socially, not wanting to go to school, saying 

they miss their friends, or ‘want to go 

home’. Firstly dealing with the issue of 

timescales can help children process the 

new reality. If they see an unending expanse 

of future time in front of them when they 

will be away from the life they knew before, 

it can be daunting for them and they may 

feel like giving up. Readjusting their focus 

away from this undefined amount of time 

can be achieved by setting near-term goals 

and events, for example, a trip back to 

their ‘home country’, a holiday to a new 

place perhaps bringing along their best 

friend from home, or a visit from a family 

member. By combining things that link your 

old environment with your new one, they 

will hopefully stop trying to get their head 

around the past and future so much. Give 

them aims, goals, fun trips and short-term 

achievements to work towards. 

Natives of two cultures 

Some parents notice that they feel 

that despite the amazing educational, 

developmental, social benefits of moving 

your children abroad and integrating into a 


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new culture, they wrestle with also wanting 

their children to grow up with a connection 

to their own nationality and heritage. Many 

parents say that it is an adjustment to them 

personally to understand that their children 

essentially need to become natives of two 

cultures - absorbing everything the new 

culture has to offer at the same time as 

keeping the ‘previous’ one alive. For some 

families this may be a case of children being 

brought up hearing and speaking different 

languages inside and outside the home. For 

others it may be the food they are brought 

up on, the religion they practice, the games 

they play or how they are expected to 

dress. While this may be the case, the most 

positive reaction is to discuss openly all of 

these differences, teach children to embrace 

the best ones of each culture. As well as 

highlighting the contrasts between cultures, 

this can also be used to demonstrate to 

children the things that bring human beings 

of different cultures together, rather than 

divide us. 

Open communication 

Communicating with children throughout 

the move can help them settle in and feel 

more comfortable. Although setting a 

positive, no-nonsense tone, making things 

fun and exciting is important, show respect 

for their emotions. If children feel they 

are listened to, that they understand that 

it is perfectly acceptable to feel unsettled 

and anxious sometimes, it can help them 

to see that with every adventure there is 

some element of nervousness. Helping 

them to ‘see the flip-side’ of their fears 

can help draw out the positive perspective 

in the situation. Teenage children usually 

need a great deal more empathy, but may 

be more difficult as they are not feeling in 

a position to ask for it, as they are going 

through so many changes themselves. In 

many cases it is normal for this to manifest 

itself in acts of rebellion and mood swings. 

Try not to stress too much if their grades 

are suffering, instead think about what 

other extra-curricular benefits they can get 

from an upbringing in a foreign country 

that a conventional education would not 

deliver and focus on those. These can be 

interpreted as signals that they are finding 

things difficult, and may need extra support. 

If things get worse, speak to their school, as 

they will have seen many cases of children 

struggling to settle in. 

Resilience in adversity 

Although it is obviously necessary to make 

the move as comfortable as possible for 

children and acknowledge that sometimes 

it may be difficult, we often hear the 

importance of these big life changes as 

opportunities to nurture a certain level of 

resilience in them. Psychologists define 

resilience as the ability to bounce back 

from adversity and setbacks. Studies have 

shown that some of the major determinants 

in whether our children are resilient are 

biological factors such as their personality 

and the bond laid down with their parents 

in the early years, contributing to a sense 


of security and self-confidence. However, 

in studies looking at children who have 

seemingly begun their lives at a distinct 

disadvantage, or have suffered traumatic 

events as extreme as living through war, 

results have demonstrated that resilience 

can be developed and taught through 

certain external, ‘environmental’ factors. 

Of course moving countries is a lifetime 

away from the trauma brought on by a 

major humanitarian or natural crisis, 

and should be an extremely positive 

experience. Even so, psychologists suggest 

that it is possible to use the experiences 

of how children react to these extreme 

situations to point to why some develop 

resilience in adversity and others are prone 

to crumble. 

Problem solving 

One of the factors that child psychologists 

have found leads to resilience is a child’s 

level of self-belief in their own ability to 

solve problems they are faced with. If it 

seems to them that much of what happens 

to them is out of their control, they grow 

up to believe that the world depends on 

the decisions of others and a great deal of 

luck. While this may be true to a certain 

extent, children who understand the 

importance of how they carry themselves 

when a problem situation is thrust upon 

them are found to fare better in difficulties. 

Children who see their parents and other 

role models turning things around for 

themselves in a positive way are more likely 

to feel they can try sorting things out for 

themselves. Similarly, if they sense that the 

adults around them believe in their abilities, 

this can make an enormous difference in 

how they see themselves. The more times 

a child is encouraged to use their own 

initiative, intelligence, or physical skills to 

turn a situation around, the more they will 

be encouraged to believe in their ability 

to affect outcomes, and take a positive 

approach when they are facing a problem. 

In particular, when moving countries, many 

parents notice that their children may 

start to exhibit anxieties in questions and 

attitudes along the lines of ‘what’s the point 

in investing my efforts here if I feel like 

things are semi-permanent, or if the rug 

is going to be pulled from under my feet?’. 

Encouraging them to see that wherever 

you are in the world, you get out what you 

put in, even if external factors change, 

gives them a very positive message to carry 

through life and succeed in whatever they 

are doing. 

Support structures 

Studies have shown that however selfconfident 

a person is, they are rarely able 

to bounce back without a strong and stable 

network of people around them. These 

people rely on their personal support 

structures, the advice of their peers, 

superiors, and even the help of authorities 

at some points. They recognise that 

although they are in control of their own 

lives and actions, they need people to turn 

to at certain times. Moreover, they know 

how and when to ask for help to get them 

where they need to go. One of the of the 

major changes when you move abroad is 

that previously the support structure was 

already in place around you and your 

children, in the form of family, neighbours, 

friends, colleagues, school teachers, and 

babysitters, whereas now it is necessary to 


reconstruct it almost artificially. Previously, 

it was easy to meet people and friendships 

formed organically. Now, as many expats 

describe, everyone in the family needs to 

begin a sort of ‘friend dating’, until you 

form friendships with a number of likeminded 

people. Once this support system 

is in place, part of knowing how to make 

the most of it is to develop the appropriate 

empathy and communication skills to 

interact with people. How easily people can 

win the support and assistance of others 

is a key factor in being able to enlist the 

appropriate people at the appropriate time 

for support through rocky times. 

Distraction tactics 

Another of the major factors that helps 

children through difficult times is if 

they have a talent that they can focus 

on, whether sporty, creative, musical or 

intellectual. When you think of the skills 

needed to become proficient in dance, 

sport, music, or anything else, you can see 

why this can help build resilience. Often it 

can be a no easy task mastering a hobby, 

requiring constant improvement, the need 

to reflect on and improve weak spots, the 

ability to work towards targets, putting 

effort in now to receive gratification down 

the line, perhaps a degree of teamwork. 

All of these factors mean that children 

can learn to put themselves aside and 

work towards other things, with different 

timescales, and see the benefit in something 

that may not be immediately easy. 

Encouraging your child to find what they 

are good at and really enjoy also gives them 

an outlet for any frustration or anxiety 

they might be feeling and any constructive 

results, for example in competitions, will be 

immensely satisfying for them. In terms of 

helping them through the move, a level of 

distraction that these activities provide can 

work wonders. 

Don’t worry! 

Above all, parents find that approaching 

the move positively themselves can set the 

tone for the rest of the family. A mix of 

good communication, understanding and 

resilience will improve the kids’ (and your 

own!) chances of making a success of the 

move, and deal with the upheaval along 

the way. Nothing will be perfect, but this is 

part of the reason to relocate - to have a big 

adventure and get through it together.

The true nature of things: 

Ecolint’s Forest 

School programme 

WRITTEN BY TANIA GENTET GANOSE - HEAD OF MARKETING AT ECOLINT 


In a small clearing close to Ecolint’s 

Campus des Nations Early Years 

Centre, two Reception students roll 

among the fallen leaves of the forest floor. 

Soon enough, they are covered from head 

to toe in brambles, earth, dew and a musky 

woodland smell. Unwittingly, they have 

just engaged in the experiential learning 

that Forest School provides. Using all their 

senses, they have touched, heard, smelled, 

and seen the autumn season that permeates 

their surroundings. 

Taking place in all weather conditions 

and throughout the year, Forest School 

has its roots in Scandinavia’s filuftsliv, or 

open-air living, a concept encouraging 

outdoor activity. These sessions, which can 

last anywhere between a week to several 

months, are centred on creative aspects, 

including tool and rope work, cooking, 

and fire lighting. In addition to teaching 

core outdoor survival skills, Forest School 

also serves to extend learning beyond the 

traditional classroom setting. On each of 

Ecolint’s three campuses, students of all 

ages - particularly Primary children - engage 

in regular sessions of Forest School. This 

child-centred programme supports play, 

exploration and risk-taking through handson 

experiences in a natural setting. 

Learning from nature 

What is a forest? For some, it can be a 

place where nature roams free, untethered 

by the constraints of society. For others, 

it represents life and growth, health and 

well-being. At Ecolint, both of the above 

are true. But the forest also takes on a life 

of its own, for the forest is also a teacher, a 

guide for young and old to push themselves 

further. “When we take our students to 

the forest, we see their independence 

and confidence grow,” reports Jennifer 

Pasternak, Early Years Vice-Principal at 

Ecolint’s Vaud campus of La Châtaigneraie. 

“It is a place where they can explore, play, 

and be creative in a way that a classroom 

does not allow.” 

At Ecolint, “the Forest School principles 

align beautifully with the International 

Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme 

(PYP) and the Reggio-Emilia approach 

to learning,” explains Jennifer Pasternak. 

All three are driven by inquiry and value 

students’ ability to guide their learning 

with the support of their teachers. This is 

taken a step further in the forest, with the 

teacher taking on the role of facilitator or 

leader who develops and empowers the 

forest-goers. Acting as resource providers, 

the Forest School Leader provides simple 

equipment, such as strings and basic 

tools, that children can use to explore, 

investigate, examine and question their 

natural surroundings. They also act as 

intermediaries between what the children 

learn in class and what they experience in 

nature. They encourage students to connect 

the dots and use everything available in the 

forest to revisit their learning and amplify it. 

The SPICES of life 

Central to Forest School sessions are 

the development of multiple skills and 

attributes. At Ecolint, these are encapsulated 

in an ethos called SPICES: spiritual, 

intellectual, communication, emotional 

and social skills. Linking up closely with 

the IB Learner Profile attributes that shape 

students to be knowledgeable, caring and 

principled risk-takers, SPICES reinforces 

the development of these traits through 

holistic, child-centred learning and teaching 

that considers children to be competent 

and capable learners. For Brooke Bandler, 

Primary teacher at La Châtaigneraie, 

nature - the forest - is a powerful ally and 

co-teacher: “It is the more discreet students 

in class who often thrive the most in the 

forest. By choosing their activity naturally 

based on their interests and skills, Forest 

School enables children to be risk-takers. By 

climbing trees and using new tools, it helps 

them develop their creativity, imagination, 



and collaboration, which boosts each child’s 

self-confidence.” Thus, by moving learning 

to an entirely new setting, one in which the 

possibilities are endless and ever-changing, 

students can become well-rounded 

individuals who believe in themselves and 

others, who are respectful, resilient and 

more able to assess risk. These traits are 

then carried back into the classroom, and 

children are better equipped and more 

self-confident in taking on the challenges of 

their school journey and later lives. 

Fundamentally, children have an innate 

desire to connect with nature. Helping 

shape them as learners, the fresh air and 

open space also provide countless health 

benefits, whether cognitive, behavioural, 

mental or physical. From increasing 

fitness levels to protect against the many 

disorders brought about by sedentary 

lifestyles, from reducing stress, anxiety and 

depression to enhancing social interaction 

and improving sleep, contact with nature 

through such programmes as Forest School 

also encourages children - and their 

accompanying adults - to adopt healthy 

and sustainable habits. Most importantly, 

it is a time that students and teachers can 

thoroughly enjoy and look forward to, and 

upon returning to school, they can feel 

nourished and content after a healthy dose 

of nature.


What is the US High 

School Diploma 

Programme? 


The US high school diploma 

(HSD) is an exciting alternative 

for students wanting to attend 

university in the United States, or for those 

desiring a foundation in a broader range 

of subjects. There are many benefits to 

studying the high school diploma, especially 

when combined with Advanced Placement. 

However, there are also a number of pitfalls 

that should be considered before your child 

takes the plunge. So, let’s take a look at 

all the things you need to know about this 

qualification. 

Background: US HSD 

The US high school diploma is an 

academic qualification awarded upon 

the completion of a student’s high school 

education. 

Typically, the high school diploma 

is typically awarded after four years of 

study, providing the student has met all 

requirements. Generally, it takes into 

consideration the student’s academic 

record, drawn from a mixture of course 

work and state examinations, from grades 

nine to 12. 

In the US, high school diplomas are 

granted by the school in accordance 

with state or provincial government 

requirements. These criteria can vary 

between the different jurisdictions. 

How is the international HSD different to 

the domestic HSD? 

In terms of validity, there is no difference 

between international and domestic 

high school diplomas, as long as the 

international diploma is endorsed by an 

American accreditation body. However, in 

terms of course work and curriculum the 

International High School Diploma is quite 

different. Most schools teach diploma and 

International Baccalaureate (IB) students 

side by side. The only real difference is that 

they sit separate exams. It is also possible 

for students to take assessments from both 

academic tracks if they wish. 

What is Advanced Placement and how 

does it fit in with the High School 

Diploma? 

Advanced Placement or AP is offered as 

an extension of the high school diploma 

- earning students’ college credit. An AP 

course takes roughly eight months to 

complete and is usually taken in the last or 

second to last year of the HSD. 

The AP was designed to act as a 

foundation course for university study. In 

addition to earning students credit, they 

can shave up to one year off their degree. 

High school diploma students do not 

need to take AP, however electing to do 

so helps them to be accepted into the 

institution and course of their choice, 

as well as preparing them mentally and 

emotionally for the rigors of tertiary-level 

study. 

For more on the AP check out our article. 

[https://www.internationalschoolparent. 

com/articles/what-is-advanced-placementap/] 

What are the benefits of studying 

the High School Diploma over the 

International Baccalaureate? 

Deciding which programme is more 

beneficial depends entirely on your 

child’s goals. Here are a few reasons why 

someone might choose to study the high 

school diploma over the International 

Baccalaureate diploma: 

1The US high school diploma offers 

more Flexibility. The education system 

focuses on developing well-rounded 

individuals. This means that your talents 

are recognised and nurtured regardless 

of whether you are a sports person, 

mathematician, or fine artist. Students 

can choose from a wide range of subjects, 

puzzling together a programme that reflects 


their interests and needs. 

2This US high school diploma is also 

accepted by tertiary providers in 

Canada. 

3It is a more well-known qualification. 

2.8 million students took the Advance 

Placement exams in 2019. Whereas only 

166,000 took IB exams (Edwards, 2021). 

The Pitfalls of studying for the US High 

School Diploma 

For all the benefits of the high school 

diploma, there are also a few pitfalls. 

Although, the US HSD is becoming 

increasingly recognised internationally, 

it is still not accepted in all countries. For 

example, to study at a German university, 

graduates must submit their diploma and 

GPA to the Central Office for Foreign 

Education (ZAB) for assessment. In some 

cases, the High School Diploma is enough 

for direct entry. However, often applicants 

must first enter a foundation or bridging 

programme before starting regular course 

work. In much the same way, applicants 

may be required to sit extra entry tests or 

fulfil extra criteria before their application 

can be accepted into non-American 

universities. 

Does my child need to take the SATs? 

Although it is not a requirement of the high 

school diploma programme, it is certainly 

needed for entry into university. Sitting 

the SATs and achieving a good score will 

increase your child’s chances of entering 

the American university of their choice. 

However, if your child does not intend to 

study in North America, sitting the SATs 

in not necessary. Check with your child’s 

intended tertiary provider to find out if 

the High School Diploma is enough on 

its own for entry or whether the SATs (or 

equivalent exam) are required. 

The US high school diploma is a great 

alternative to the IB Diploma for students 

wishing to study in the United States or 

Canada. It is also a wise choice for 

students who want an introduction to a 

broad range of subjects. Then, via Advance 

Placement exams, diploma students 

are able to focus on their interests in 

preparation for college and tertiary study, 

as well as getting a leg-up by earning credits 

whilst still at high school. Whether to study 

the US HSD or the IB diploma, or even 

perhaps both, is a decision that only you 

and your child can make.

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readers or provide some interesting insights, we want to hear about it. 

International School Parent Magazine was created to inform, inspire, and engage the 

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having new writers join our contributor pool. You must have a strong desire to produce 

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International School Parent Magazine - Summer 2022

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