International School Parent Magazine - Summer 2024

Paris Olympique TM 

An Immersive Journey 

Preparing your Child 

for University 

Getting Kids to Listen 

Without Yelling 

Activate Summer Mode!

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Geneva, a family in the Botanical Garden, © Hannes Heinzer Fotografie

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14 

18 

Contents 

10 Meet The Heads – Interview With Karin 

Altorfer & Rosemarie Kurath From Swiss 

Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich 

14 Global Education Anchored In The Swiss 

Tradition Of Excellence 

18 Improving Learning Around The World For 

Over 30 Years 

20 The Wonder Of Gardening - From One 

Generation To The Next 

26 Hotel Manager - A Dream Job? 

28 Paris Olympique: An Immersive Journey 

30 Rhaetian Railway: It’s More Than Just A Train 

32 Solothurn, The Most Beautiful Baroque Town 

36 Top Family Holiday On A Magical 

Mountainside 

40 Sightseeing Switzerland – At The Swiss 

Open-Air Museum 

42 All Aboard The Goldenpass Express 

44 Get To Know The Real Zurich This Summer! 

46 Family Weekends In Thun 

48 Activate Summer Mode! 

50 Preparing Your Child For University: 

How Parents Can Help 

56 Get Kids To Listen Without Yelling 

60 The Glossary Of LGBTQ+ Terms 

Cover image provided by H-FARM International School 

schools.h-farm.com 

Welcome to the Summer 

Edition of International 

School Parent Magazine 

We begin this issue with some exciting news. I have had the pleasure 

of working with many of you already as the Content Manager for ISP 

and would now like to re-introduce myself as the new Editor. Nick 

remains an integral part of ISP but will now focus exclusively on 

growth and development. You can find his contact details below. 

Summer not only means longer days and more time outside, but also 

the end of the school year and the start of the long summer vacation. 

Extra time together is wonderful, but it can also be challenging. In the 

article “How to get Kids to Listen Without Yelling” Mette Thielmann 

walks us through managing our frustrations and gives us some easyto-follow 

steps for better communication with our children. You can 

find this article on page 58. 

In this edition, we meet two amazing women, Karin Altorfer and 

Rosemarie Kurath. Both are Head of School at Swiss Boarding Schools 

Disentis & Zurich (SBSDZ) – Karin is the Head of the city campus, and 

Rosemarie the Head of the mountain campus. In this article, Karin and 

Rosemarie explain their dual campus offering and the benefits this 

brings to students and their families. 

The variety of activities available in Switzerland this summer is 

astounding! Find out more about amazing rail adventures, as well as 

articles on activities such as climbing, cycling, the Olympic Museum 

and more. 

Finally, we are thrilled to present to you a magazine filled with 

interesting and informative articles, exciting experiences, and practical 

tips for parents. Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to 

bringing you more content in autumn. 

Korinne 

For questions about school guides, newsletter content 

and advertising packages, please contact Nick Gilbert: 

Mobile + 41 787 10 80 91 

Email nick@internationalschoolparent.com 

Website www.internationalschoolparent.com 

@isparentmag 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SUMMER 2024 | 5

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Contributors 

Cath Brew 

Cath Brew is a global LGBTQ+ inclusion consultant 

who helps parents, schools, and businesses to see queerly, 

and get confident with navigating diverse genders and sexualities 

cross culturally. 

Philippa Dobrée-Carey 

Philippa Dobree-Carey is an experienced project 

manager in the international humanitarian sector. Her 

passion is helping students make a successful transition from high 

school to university. Author of the award-winning student guide 

‘From High School to Uni’, and founder of fromhighschooltouni.com, 

Philippa provides step-by-step guidance on packing, preparing, and 

thriving in the university environment. 

With firsthand experience as a mother of university aged children, 

Philippa understands the concerns of students and parents at this 

pivotal time. Her practical advice, insightful blogs and helpful 

resources empower both students and parents to navigate university 

life with confidence. 

Mette Theilmann 

Mette is a Parent Consultant who has supported 

parents for over 19 years. Mette helps navigate 

parenting with confidence so parents can raise independent and 

resilient children who can grow up to become well-adjusted adults. 

Mette is also the founder of Predictable Parenting, and the 

creator of the Parenting Community app. Her main area of 

expertise is consulting schools to create a confident parenting 

community based on the school’s budget, values, needs and 

challenges, and offering intervention plans for families and parents. 

Ben Weinberg 

Ben worked for many years as a commercial fisherman, 

organic farmer, builder, and writer, before becoming 

an educator. He taught in Vermont and Maine in the U.S. before 

moving to South Africa and then Spain. 

Education is Ben’s source of inspiration and hope. It is where he 

finds new energy and wonder every day. 


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Meet the Heads 

Karin Altorfer & 

Rosemarie Kurath 

Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & Zurich 


Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis & 

Zurich (SBSDZ) offers students 

in grades 9 - 12 an exceptional 

educational experience across two 

campuses. With a city campus in 

Winterthur/Zurich and mountain campus 

in Disentis, SBSDZ is set to welcome 

students from around the world. 

The SBSDZ city campus is led by 

Karin Altorfer and the mountain campus 

by Rosemarie Kurath. Both women are 

experienced school heads and bring a 

wealth of knowledge and leadership 

expertise to their roles. 

Former French and German grammar 

school teacher, Karin Altorfer, has always 

been interested in education. She started 

teaching and leading school programmes 

for International GCSE and A Levels six 

years ago. Karin aims to accompany young 

people from all over the world on their 

journey through school. 

Rosemarie Kurath is a qualified teacher 

for English and History. Teaching in 

Austria, Northern Ireland and Switzerland 

has given her significant experience and 

insight into various school systems. For her, 

the main priorities are to create a supportive 

and inclusive learning environment where 

students feel valued and are encouraged to 

flourish and succeed. 

We were fortunate to speak to both Karin 

and Rosemarie to learn more about SBSDZ 

and their unique dual campus system. 

“It is our duty to support students individually, 

not just academically but holistically, and both 

campuses are completely dedicated to this.” 

What inspires people to choose SBSDZ? 

RK: Being able to choose between two 

wonderful, yet different, experiences is 

one of the main reasons families opt for 

our schools. We are very fortunate to offer 

two exceptional campuses. This means we 

are able to cater to the different needs and 

passions of students, also at different stages 

of their education. What we offer is very 

unique. 

I am based at the Disentis campus. 

It is a wonderful place in the middle 

of the countryside and high up in the 

Alps. Students who choose our campus 

appreciate peace and quiet. Perhaps they 

want to focus on their studies in a tranquil 

environment. It is also quintessentially 

Swiss! When international students think of 

Switzerland, they think of mountains. 

Our village has around 2,000 inhabitants. 

It is small, but has everything you need. 

We are a very familiar small school. We 

are able to really get to know our students, 

address their concerns, and support them 

appropriately. Overall, this is one of 

the strengths of SBSDZ. It is our duty 

to support students individually, both 

academically and holistically, and both 

campuses are completely dedicated to this. 

KA: I agree, our most unique feature is the 

choice of educational environment - the 

peace and nature of the mountain, or a 

livelier city experience. 

Obviously, for most students, they come 

to us for the quality education we provide. 

However, being able to choose between not 

only two campuses, but also two ambiances, 

and having the flexibility to change campus 

every year if they wish makes SBSDZ a 

very attractive choice. 

On both campuses, we have exceptional 

facilities for student athletes. At our city 

campus, we have top-class sports facilities 

surrounding the school that our students 

have access to. For example, at the same 

location students see ice-rinks in winter and 

What are the vision and educational 

philosophies of SBSDZ? 

KA: The vision is to have a boarding school 

where students from all over the world 

come together for a high-end educational 

experience centred around the IGSCE and 

A Levels, across two exceptional locations. 

One of our philosophies is to give 

students - and their families - choice, based 

on their needs during their journey with us. 

Students can decide whether they want to 

live in the city of Winterthur/Zurich or in 

the mountains at the Disentis campus. And 

this can change depending on their goals 

and interests at any time throughout their 

studies. Perhaps younger students prefer the 

nature of the mountains, but as they get 

older they prefer a city environment where 

they can have more activities within a city 

context. As students mature, their passions 

change and this considerably influences 

where they want to study. 


“Our teachers bring different cultural backgrounds into the classrooms 

and together with their individual passions and strengths, provide a 

well-rounded learning experience to our students.” 


each-volleyball pitches in summer from the 

classrooms. When students see all of these 

great facilities they want to be outside using 

them - it’s really motivating. Even if you’re 

not an athlete when you start at our school 

you soon become one! 

RK: Similarly, our mountain campus 

provides the most beautiful scenery and 

is located in one of Switzerland’s most 

popular alpine skiing destinations. In the 

summertime, the mountain campus also 

offers biking, hiking, and climbing. There 

are so many wonderful opportunities to 

enjoy the outdoor life. 

How would you describe the community 

at SBSDZ? What measures do you have 

in place that ensure a welcoming and 

inclusive environment? 

KA: We have a wonderful admission 

team and they travel all over the world. 

They meet with agencies and families in 

their home countries. However, it is our 

policy that families visit our locations in 

person because deciding where your child 

goes to school is too important to have 

never seen the campus and met the staff 

firsthand. 

When families come to Switzerland, we 

want to show them everything we can offer 

their child. Our campuses are not far from 

each other so usually viewing both locations 

is a viable option. It is really important 

that we also have different cultures at our 

school - this also includes staff and teachers. 

Our teachers bring different cultural 

backgrounds into the classrooms and 

together with their individual passions and 

strengths, provide a well-rounded learning 

experience to our students. 

RK: Part of our school - the grammar 

school - has a long tradition. It started 

as a Benedictine school over 1,400 years 

ago. Over time we have developed an 

international brand. Previously we served 

boarders from within Switzerland and 

southern Germany. However, now we 

have broadened our scope and welcome 

international students from around the 

world. 

It’s lovely to bring different cultures 

together, especially in the middle of 

the Alps, where Romansch is the local 

language. Our domestic students mix and 

mingle with the international students and 

of course our boarders also have meals and 

activities together, meaning they form a 

close-knit international community. 

This gives the international students 

access to local students, and local students 

experience living with people from other 

cultures. 

What extracurricular opportunities 

are available to students across both 

campuses? 

KA: In Winterthur/Zurich, as I mentioned, 

we have amazing sports facilities - in 

addition to the ice-skating rink, we also have 

a tennis hall, and a handball court. We also 

have plans to build another sports complex 

Winterthur offers wonderful cultural 

experiences with some world-class 

museums. With the larger city of Zurich 

on its doorstep, students have access to a 

wide variety of musical and other cultural 

opportunities during their stay with us. 

For students interested in music we have 

a collaboration with the local conservatory. 

They can take music and singing lessons 

there. 

And of course, even when students 

choose the Winterthur Campus, they 

always have the opportunity to go skiing 

in Disentis or other slopes nearby. Skiing 

is very popular here and the students 

should take the opportunity to go skiing or 

snowboarding in the winter as part of their 

Swiss experience. 

At the Disentis campus, we also have our 

own cinema. It has a capacity for around 

50 people and is well-loved and used by 

students. 

How does technology fit into your 

curriculum and the way you deliver 

classes? 

RK: Technology is very much integrated 

into our classrooms and the school in 

general. From Wi-Fi access, to digital 

white boards and tablets for each student 

- technology is embraced and seen as 

crucially important. 

Our teachers are equipped with 

modern technology to enhance their 

teaching and deliver the curriculum with 

excellence. We have made significant 

strides in incorporating digital learning 

tools, allowing our teaching team to stay 

ahead of the curve and provide engaging, 

personalised experiences for our students. 

All our teachers receive training in digital 

and online teaching methods so we use 

innovative technologies to foster important 

skills such as collaboration, creativity, and 

critical thinking. We are very committed to 

delivering high-quality education that meets 

the evolving needs of our students and their 

families. 

What qualifications and experiences do 

you look for in your teaching staff? 

RK: We look for highly qualified and 

committed teachers from all over the world 

with a background of teaching excellence. 

Many of our teachers are active as 

examination experts for the IGCSE and 

A-Level exams. 

If somebody wants to enrol at SBSDZ, 

what is the first step in the admissions 

process? 

KA: As a quality international school, we 

try to look for a match between the student 

and the school. We will ask for details on the 

student both academically and otherwise. 

We want to see evidence of a curious mind 

and someone who focuses not only on their 

studies but also engages themselves in other 

extra-curricular activities. We want to see 

the whole person and not simply grade 

reports. 

Early on in the process we invite them 

to see our campus/es. We give them a 

tour and speak to them about our school 

and community. When possible, parents/ 

students also visit classes and get a real 

first-hand experience of what we offer. In 

Disentis, potential future students may also 

stay in the boarding house overnight. The 

most important thing is that they really 

come and see us. Of course, we have online 

meetings as well, but at some point they 

need to experience our school and the place 

their children will call home while they are 

with us. 

Whether in the mountains or in an urban environment, Swiss Boarding Schools Disentis 

& Zurich provides a safe and comfortable home for your child during their studies. In the 

friendly, yet performance-oriented, atmosphere of our English-language boarding schools, 

our learners can develop their skills and prepare for their International A Levels – a 

qualification that opens the doors to the world’s most prestigious universities. 

https://www.sbs-disentis-zurich.ch/ 


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Students may study a Bachelor of Science 

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training is relevant to the workplace of 

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Voted the best culinary school in 

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A unique partnership between Chef 

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Swiss Hotel Management School: 

A contemporary Swiss hotel school 

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The Swiss Hotel Management School 

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Students are nurtured to become leaders 

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The Swiss Hotel Management School 

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Whether students are based at one of the 

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HIM Business School: Education for the 

world of tomorrow 

As a business school anchored in the 

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diverse student body learns key industry 

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HIM Business School is renowned for 

the quality of its teaching. An impressive 

97% of students are hired after obtaining 

their diploma, 90% of former students 

occupy management positions or have 

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of graduation, 70% work in the luxury 

and lifestyle sector, and 30% work in the 

consulting, education, finance or healthcare 

sectors. 

The school notably delivers a bachelor’s 

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in the hospitality industry and beyond. Find out more about our world-class school and 

educational programmes at www.swisseducation.com 


The IB Continuum logo 

The IB Continuum logo for use by IB World 

Schools offering three or more IB programmes 

An IB Continuum logo, with overlapping spheres connecting the 

Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), 

Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-related Programme 

(CP), has been developed. This visual represents the alignment 

and articulation of IB programmes and the IB’s philosophy of the 

continuum of international education. 

These are the preferred versions of IB programme 

logos to be used by authorized IB World Schools 

To protect our identity and to ensure it is 

consistently displayed to best effect, a 

‘minimum clear space’ surrounding the 

identity should be applied. A means of 

determining the minimum clearance is to use 

half the height of the IB button as shown 

here. 

IB World School logo Verticle key line IB programme logo 

The IB Continuum logo for schools is available in 

the following application styles.

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Improving learning around 

the world for over 30 years 

Writing about international 

schools in 2008, Hayden and 

Thompson 1 located their 

origins in the perceived need in some contexts for 

a form of schooling not available through national 

systems. At that time, the growth in the 

number of schools was relatively steady. 

In 2024, the effects of globalisation, the 

dominance of English as an international 

language and the post-pandemic shift 

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14,010 schools serving 6.9 million students 

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International schools have not only grown 

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From its nascent years committed to 

improving learning with the original 

development of the International Primary 

Curriculum (IPC), the International 

Curriculum Association (ICA) now 

works in partnership with schools in 

over ninety countries. Its early tagline of 

Great Learning, Great Teaching, Great Fun has 

evolved into the ICA Model for Great 

Learning, underpinned by the latest 

research and neurological understandings 

in addition to being reviewed, improved 

and co-constructed in partnership with its 

community of schools. 

The ICA Model for Great Learning is at 

the heart of our International Early Years 

Curriculum (IEYC), International Primary 

Curriculum (IPC) and International Middle 

Years Curriculum (IMYC), implemented by 

a team of over 15,000 committed educators 

from around the world, benefitting students 

in over 1,000 schools. 

Ensuring that our International 

Curriculum is responsive to the shifting 

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that it remains current and relevant is a 

key priority for us. One of the strengths 

of our Association is that we strive to find 

1Corporate author : UNESCO IIEP [3186], Person as author: Hayden, Mary [5], Thompson, Jeff [7], Parent: Fundamentals of educational planning, ISBN: 978-92-803-1320-8, Year of publication: 

2008 2 ISC Research, February 2024 What data tells us about the international schools market 


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“Ensuring that our International Curriculum is responsive to the shifting landscape of 

international education, and that it remains current and relevant is a key priority for us.” 

new ways to work in partnership with our 

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International learning goals have been 

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its inception. The goals have evolved from 

an initial focus on international mindedness 

to a more holistic approach to international 

learning that includes global competence 

and most recently glocalisation. We are 

engaging with our community now to 

explore the powerful relationship between 

a glocalised curriculum and culturally 

responsive pedagogy to ensure relevance, 

authenticity, equity, inclusion and enhanced 

engagement and agency of learners. 

The ICA Model for Great Learning 

is at the core of our association – an 

active, well-connected, global community 

of educators committed to improving 

learning, championing quality and 

unlocking potential. We work in partnership 

with schools to realise this commitment 

through a range of services encompassing 

our curriculum, impactful professional 

development opportunities and a supportive 

and sustainable accreditation pathway. 

At the heart of all our services is the ICA 

Model for Great Learning which drives 

experiences designed to improve learning 

and nurture environments where learners 

can flourish and educators can thrive. 

Building further on our commitment to 

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the ICA Accreditation pathway provides 

a supportive mentorship scheme for all 

schools looking for quality learning and 

how they can identify the impact on their 

learners. Our mentors work alongside 

school leaders to facilitate a rigorous selfreview 

process, championing quality of 

learning and teaching and nurturing truly 

progressive learning communities. Marking 

a school’s successful journey through this 

process is the ICA Accreditation status. 

From its origins thirty years ago to the 

association it is today, the ICA continuously 

drives to translate its vision into a reality. 

Through strategic planning, comprehensive 

research and collaborative approaches, 

the ICA is nurturing a dynamic learning 

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its reach and impact – improving learning, 

unlocking potential and championing 

quality – it is not merely imagining a future 

educational landscape but actively engaged 

in shaping it, empowering educators and 

learners alike. 


THE 

WONDER 

OF 

GARDENING 

- from one generation 

to the next 

WRITTEN BY BEN WEINBERG 


I 

learned to garden with my mother in 

a patch of rocky soil on Gotts Island 

in Maine. My mother had learned her 

gardening habit with her grandfather when 

she was a girl. My mother grew up in New 

York City and her grandfather’s place out 

on Bailey Island was a place of solace and 

wonder for her. As we dug the stones out of 

our tiny patch and planted seeds for curly 

cress and lettuce we listened to the wind in 

the spruce trees and the waves against the 

shore and without words, that same sense 

of wonder she had experienced years ago 

was transmitted to me. From her, I learned 

to bury what would be garbage and to look 

for whatever was at hand to build the soil. I 

have been a gardener ever since. My life is a 

series of gardens dug out of clay and sand, 

ringed with the rocks I dug out, enriched 

with compost and seaweed, manure and 

bedding; leaves in the fall, and grass 

clippings in the summer. 

60 years later, as headmaster at the 

American School of Madrid, I brought 

a log from my compost pile to a Grade 9 

biology class. The teacher wanted the class 

to “dissect” the log and discover the life 

inside. I visited as the class began. I was 

struck by the squeals and how students 

backed away from the log, how they only 

reached out tentatively. Except for one girl. 

She tied her hair back and got into it. 

“You’ve been in a garden before.” It 

wasn’t a question. 

She looked at me, like, of course. 

The class filled out the sheet and drew 

their observations but while they might have 

achieved the standard, only the garden girl 

got to the heart of the lesson. She got her 

hands dirty and literally dug into the log, 

tracing the complex network of life inside. 

Since then, I have made a regular thing 

of bringing compost and my worm friends 

into Kindergarten classes. You can’t wait for 

Grade 9 biology. 

Look, they say. The worm is dancing on 

my arm. 

I can see the segments. For those of you 

not well-versed in worm anatomy, a worm’s 

body is made up of segments. 

They squeal. They are 5 years old 

after all, but after they squeal they get 

into the heart of the lesson. They find the 

magnifying glasses and microscopes to get 

a closer look. They make habitats for their 

new friends to learn how the worms mix 

soil and turn our waste into nutrients for 

new growth. 

Many of our students live in apartments 

or have limited access to gardens. Their 

experience of nature is the theme park 

version they visit on family vacations when 

they are too busy being ferried from activity 

to activity to slow down enough to meet a 

worm friend or hear the wind in the spruce 

trees or the waves against the shore. 

We have had several attempts as a school 

to introduce students to gardens and 

gardening. Our school garden began with a 

good intention and high expectations. The 

teacher who got it going had an idea of 

crops being harvested but no sense of the 

investment in soil that would be necessary. 

Another teacher was inspired by the 

concept of a greenhouse. The greenhouse 

was built but the teacher moved on. The 

plot and the greenhouse sat idle until 

another gardener showed up by chance. 



Taylor hails from Houston and was 

working on a farm north of Madrid. I 

showed her the abandoned greenhouse and 

the weed-choked garden patch. She saw 

potential and land just waiting to be put to 

use. The garden began as an after-school 

activity. The kids scratched the hard ground 

with plastic tools while Taylor wielded a 

hoe. But the seeds sprouted and the kids 

took home mint and rosemary, lettuce, and 

radishes. They were hooked and the next 

year more joined the club and we went 

from Taylor on her own to Team Taylor. 

The Middle School began a gardening 

elective. Middle School and Upper School 

Tech classes installed a solar panel, built 

compost bins, designed fences to keep 

out the rabbits, and installed an irrigation 

system. Each afternoon the kids wielded 

hoes and the garden grew. One compost bin 

became two, then three. Taylor convinced 

the maintenance team to bring all the grass 

clippings and leaves to the compost area. 

She worked with the cafeteria to collect 

all their vegetable scraps. Other teachers 

collected coffee grounds. Classes made 

compost containers for snack leftovers. 

You get the point I am sure, but I will 

spell it out. It is a gardening article and 

growing from seed to fragile seedling to 

sturdy plant takes time and attention. It 

takes a gardener. But it rallies a community. 

It teaches sharing and the value of hard 

work. The garden gives back. 

Recently, the U.S. Embassy Green 

Team came to visit. They wanted to learn 

about composting. They wanted to do 

better. They brought a donation of fruit 

trees and berry bushes but they came to 

learn. From the kids. The Garden Club 

took them on a tour of the garden. They 

turned the compost pile to mix in the day’s 

contribution from the cafeteria kitchen. 

They demonstrated the compost screen and 

carefully explained the proper technique 

for wielding a hoe. They loaded the Green 

Team with lettuce, onions, and herbs for 

salads. Farmers share, they explained. 

At the end of the visit, we circled 

up. Kids and diplomats. Teachers and 

administration. Our hands, dirty of course, 

went to the center. No farmers, no food, we 

chanted. 

There are lessons you can’t learn from 

books or in a lecture. These are the lessons 

you learn in a garden. If your school does 

not have a garden, come visit ours. Farmers 

share. 

The American School of Madrid (ASM) is a leading private, not-for-profit school serving 

students of all nationalities. ASM is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and 

research, and to developing students who can make a difference globally. 

We empower lifelong learners to take on challenges and thrive, care for others in our 

diverse international community, and think globally and creatively toward a better future. 

www.asmadrid.org 

www.instagram.com/americanschoolofmadrid/ 

www.facebook.com/americanschoolofmadridspain 

www.linkedin.com/school/213784/admin/feed/posts/ 


MONTREUX – GSTAAD – INTERLAKEN 

A FASCINATING JOURNEY 

BETWEEN LAKES AND MOUNTAINS 

Direct connection in 3h15 

Prestige compartment 

Regional products 

PREMIUM SWISS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE 

gpx.swiss

MATCH POINT PERFECTION 

ELITE KIDS & TEENS 

TENNIS CAMPS 

NEW 

PICKLEBALL 

COURTS 

burgenstockresort.com

ADVERTORIAL 

HOTEL MANAGER 

- a dream job? 

We asked four students of SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern why becoming a hotel 

manager is attractive to them and what the motivation was to start a hospitality management 

degree programme. Read here what thoughts they shared with us. 

Jonas Zindel 

- SHL student in semester 1 

To become a hotel manager 

remains appealing for young 

people, as it offers a unique 

chance to meet a lot of 

different people and positively 

impact their lives. Guests 

come to a hotel with their 

most precious belonging – their free time – and it 

is a privilege to be part of this experience. To give 

the guests the best possible stay is an honour and 

something very worthwhile. For me personally, it has 

always been a passion to bring joy to other people 

and to fulfil their wishes. The profession of hotel 

manager offers me the opportunity to combine this 

passion with entrepreneurship. 


ADVERTORIAL 

Marc Muff – currently doing 

his management training 

Becoming a hotel manager in 

the future is a very attractive 

opportunity, as it offers many 

career paths. These enable 

young people to explore their 

skills and interests and to 

develop themselves further. 

Also, the hospitality industry opens up the possibilities 

to work and live in different places all over the world. 

The profession also offers new challenges every day and 

the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, as 

you are constantly confronted with different situations 

and people. In this dynamic and the constantly changing 

environment you can especially develop your skills in the 

areas of hospitality, teamwork, leadership and problem 

solving. All of these aspects were crucial for my decision 

to pursue a career in hospitality. Furthermore, it is an 

incredible enrichment for me to put a smile on guests’ 

faces and making their stay a true experience. Working in 

hospitality sometimes feels like a play at the theatre that is 

ongoing, and we have the privilege to play our part in it. 

Chiara Bortis 

- SHL student in semester 3 

Young people want to have a job 

that they can identify with and that 

they enjoy. Being a hotel manager 

gives you lots of opportunities to 

realise your potential and everyday 

life is very varied: no day is like the 

other. Hotel managers are so much more than pure leaders. 

They are hosts, conflict solvers, organisers, they take on 

creative tasks, are the main contact person for both guests 

and employees, act as a link between different departments 

and are representatives of the company. You have the 

opportunity to get involved on so many levels and always 

try out new things, which makes the job very attractive. 

Another aspect that I appreciate a lot is the chance to take 

on responsibility. As you deal with people every day and the 

world of hospitality is rapidly changing, you are constantly 

faced with new challenges, which allow you to outgrow 

yourself. Also you can work all over the world and make lots 

of new contacts. I see a lot of doors opening and the network 

that you build in the process is very valuable. At the end of 

the day the people you meet and the great memories you 

create are what makes the profession what it is. 

Belinda Angehrn - SHL student in semester 2 

When I was a child, our family used to go to the same hotel for years. Every time, we were warmly welcomed 

– it almost felt like coming home. And, over the years, that hotel literally turned into my second home. So 

much so, that I have been dreaming of having my own hotel since I was seven. Already back then, I put 

together a «mini concept» of my hotel. Even today, fourteen years later, this dream has not changed. I am 

passionate about delivering an outstanding service: making the impossible possible is a plus for the guest, 

but more so something I strive for. There are also no limits in the hospitality industry: there are so many 

career paths, new products, global chains and thousands of different concepts to explore. And: making total 

relaxation possible, smiling faces and the fascination of guests - that’s exactly why the hospitality industry is 

extremely attractive to me. 

Chiara, Marc, Belinda and Jonas study at SHL Schweizerische 

Hotelfachschule Luzern which is one of the two original Swiss hotel 

management schools, successfully running since 1909. SHL offers a 

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management which is accredited by the 

Swiss federal government and recognised worldwide, as well as the Swiss 

Advanced Federal Diploma «Dipl. Hotelier(e)-Gastronom(in) HF». 

The «BSc in Hospitality Management» is a four-year or four-anda-half-year 

full-time programme in English that follows the principles 

of a dual approach to education by combining academic knowledge, 

relevant operational competencies and modern management expertise. 

The degree includes two paid internships and provides students with 

transferable skills in hospitality leadership, management, strategy and 

operations. 

The school is famous for its practice-oriented, interactive way of 

teaching, the personal environment and the high employability rate 

after graduation. Discover more about SHL, its campus in the heart 

of Switzerland and the «BSc in Hospitality Management» programme 

right here: https://www.shl.ch/en/study/courses-of-study/bachelor-inhospitality-management/programme 


ADVERTORIAL 

PARIS OLYMPIQUE: 


25 May 2024 to 19 January 2025 

Step into the mesmerising world of 

Paris Olympique and be immersed 

in the three Parisian editions of the 

Olympic Games – 1900, 1924 and 2024. 

The Olympic Museum’s newest exhibition 

is a 360° experience entitled “Paris 

Olympique: An Immersive Journey”, 

opening in Lausanne, Switzerland on 

Saturday, 25 May. 

Paris Olympique will guide visitors 

through large-scale projections of “La 

Ville-Lumière,” or “City of Light”, past 

and present. Set to a thrilling musical 

score against the backdrop of Paris, 

explore the Olympic sites, the cultural 

and sports trends, the champions and 

the transformation of the Games from 

anonymity to the world’s greatest sporting 

event. 

Paris in 360° 

Paris Olympique is an audiovisual show 

featuring minimal text and maximum 

immersion, accessible for all ages and 

language speakers. This circular immersive 

journey, guided by large-scale screens, 

music and audiovisual content, is organised 

around four themes. 

Olympic sites: The three Olympic 

Games hosted in Paris have had a profound 

impact on the city’s landscape and its 

inhabitants. Explore how the Olympic 

Games and Paris have contributed to each 

other’s development over the past 124 years. 

Sports and champions: The Olympic 

sports programme is not stagnant; it reflects 

and even anticipates sporting trends in 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT SUMMER 2024 | 28 

society. This theme spotlights the incredible 

athletes who have participated in these 

Games and some of the events, from 

basque pelota to rope climbing, as well as 

new sports like breaking, in which they have 

competed. 

Identity: What have the Olympic Games 

become over the years? Explore the Games’ 

journey from anonymity to global fame 

across the three Parisian editions, from 1900 

when the Exposition Universelle took centre 

stage to the spectacular events planned for 

2024. 

Spectacle and culture: The Olympic 

Games are more than sports competitions 

– societal, artistic and cultural elements are 

an integral part of each edition. This theme

ADVERTORIAL 

explores Opening and Closing Ceremonies, 

artistic competitions, cultural events and the 

crucial contributions from the world of arts 

and culture to the Parisian Games. 

Duration: 

15 minutes 

Languages: 

English, French, 

German 

Cost: 

Free entry 

Try out “extinct” Olympic sports 

The exhibition’s two interactive sports 

areas feature events that won’t appear 

on the Paris 2024 programme – or likely 

any upcoming edition in the near future. 

Visitors can virtually test their capabilities 

in “200m obstacle” swimming and rope 

climbing. 

Snap a selfie 

Don’t miss the photo opportunity with the 

French Olympic and Paralympic mascots, 

the Phryges, and pose while holding an 

official Paris 2024 torch. Be sure to check 

out the Olympic medal on display as well. 

Augmented reality experience 

Visitors can step into the Paris of yesteryear 

and experience Olympic augmented 

reality (AR) experiences at the museum 

through the official Paris 2024 app on 

Google Play and the Apple App Store. 

For more information, including a full 

activities and events programme, please visit 

olympics.com/museum. 


ADVERTORIAL 

RHAETIAN RAILWAY: 

It’s more than just a train 

Certainly since the world record for the longest passenger train in the world in October 2022, they have been 

a global celebrity: everyone knows the red carriages of the Rhaetian Railway. Follow in the footsteps of the 

railway pioneers, savour the aroma of the herb fields in Valposchiavo or hunt for exciting prizes together with 

the children’s conductor “Clà Ferrovia”. Throughout the canton of Graubünden, the Rhaetian Railway creates 

lasting memories and takes its passengers to some of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. 

On the spectacular Albula Line, the view of the 

breathtaking landscape is accompanied by freshly 

prepared dishes made from seasonal, local produce. 

The Rhaetian Railway’s (RhB) culinary trips in the nostalgic 

Gourmino dining car from the 1930s guarantee twice the pleasure. 

Other gourmet trips with exquisite menus, select wines or magical 

entertainment are possible throughout the canton. The Bernina 

Express with its large panoramic windows also travels the Albula 

Line. From Chur or St. Moritz to the most southerly Swiss valley 

of Valposchiavo and further to the Italian town of Tirano, the 

observation-car train travels through 55 tunnels, crosses 196 bridges 

and easily climbs to the highest point of the track at 2,253 metres 

above sea level in around four hours. Shortly before the Bernina 


ADVERTORIAL 

Express leaves Switzerland, you will notice the fragrance of 

peppermint, orange mint and sage, thyme, lemon balm and lady’s 

mantle. This is where Reto Raselli created his herbal paradise. The 

range also includes spices such as oregano and lovage, which are 

grown against the idyllic backdrop of Lake Poschiavo and processed 

into organic herbs. The Rhaetian Railway makes this herb paradise 

in Le Prese accessible with a guided tour of the fragrant herb fields 

and production site of the Raselli Erboristeria Biologica. 

Across Graubünden with the family ticket 

Every first Sunday of the month, families can travel 2nd class in 

all graubündenPASS zones for the special price of just 30 francs. 

The family ticket is the perfect way to enjoy RhB’s combi offers 

and PostBus excursion tips, and offers attractive discounts. Clà 

Ferrovia, the RhB children’s conductor, also travels on the rails of 

the Rhaetian Railway, taking the “little ones” on fantastic journeys 

through the Swiss canton of Graubünden and to wondrous far-off 

worlds. If you prefer to discover Clà’s world on your own, you can 

go on a Clà Ferrovia treasure hunt. This is why RhB has developed 

the Clà Ferrovia app, with which you can collect points and win 

various prizes. There are destinations to be found along the entire 

Rhaetian Railway network with puzzles, challenges and fun games. 

Immerse yourself in the era of the railway pioneers 

A detour to the Landwasser Viaduct is a wonderful option on the 

way to Bergün. From Filisur station, the Landwasser Express takes 

you through the picturesque Graubünden village to the viewing 

platform, which offers a view of the imposing structure: 142 

metres long and 65 metres high. The mighty viaduct was built in 

1902 to complete the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula Line. A unique 

interplay of nature, culture and technology, which has rightly been 

designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Once you 

arrive in Bergün, the Albula Railway Museum right next to the 

station provides an insight into railway history. If you would like 

to travel along the Albula Line yourself, you can do so here in the 

simulator of the legendary Crocodile locomotive. More than 600 

exhibits bear witness to pioneering work and bring the more than 

100-year railway history of the Swiss canton of Graubünden back 

to life. 

It quickly becomes clear that RhB has long been more than just 

a means of transport. The world of the Rhaetian Railway offers 

experiences – for memories that last. 


ADVERTORIAL 

Solothurn, the most 

beautiful baroque town 

Urban ambience, historical backdrop and a varied gastronomic scene: Solothurn is multi-talented. 

And melts hearts with its incomparable charm. 

The historic town at the southern 

end of the Jura and directly at 

the Aare is well worth a visit. A 

wide range of history and cultural activities 

as well as great nature experiences are 

guaranteed. Even the journey to the city is 

relaxed and beautiful. Solothurn is easily 

accessible by train and the ride is a great 

way to get in the mood for a cool, romantic 

city trip. 

Old town & city tours 

If you are standing in the middle of the 

Old Town facing the imposing St. Ursen 

Cathedral, you have arrived in Solothurn. 

Join a fascinating guided tour of the town 

and discover its secrets, available every 

Saturday in October in English. Follow 

the guide as they lead you through the 

picturesque alleyways of the historic old 

town, across magnificent squares and past 

numerous sights. Immerse yourself with the 

city’s baroque past and discover the vibrant 

present. 

Art & Culture 

With the variety of its history, it is obvious 

that Solothurn has a lot of art and culture 

to offer. The number of museums is 

impressive. Whether art or nature museum, 

the collections are of great value. The “Old 

Arsenal” in the middle of the old town is 

very popular - and has shaped the cityscape 

for 400 years. Another highlight is certainly 

Waldegg Castle. Beautifully situated, the 

country estate of the Solothurn patriciate is 

a place of glorious history. 


Shopping & culinary delights 

If you are up for some shopping, Solothurn 

is the place to be. The beautiful stores 

and chic boutiques in the heart of the old 

town cater to every taste. And the small 

town at the River Aare has one of the 

highest densities of restaurants and bars in 

Switzerland. It even has its own Riviera, 

which exudes a Mediterranean vacation 

atmosphere with its secluded terraces and 

colorful parasols. 

Local mountain & Weissenstein cable car 

The Weissenstein is an outdoor paradise 

all year around. Take the cable car from 

Oberdorf to the Weissenstein and enjoy the 

fascinating panorama at the top. An easy 

circular hike directly from the cable car 

mountain station or a challenging ridge hike

ADVERTORIAL 

- both are unforgettable. And of course, the 

culinary delights at mountain guesthouses 

or hotel are also a must on this all-round 

experience. 

Aare & Boat trips 

The boat trip on the Aare from Solothurn 

to Biel/Bienne is considered one of the 

longest and most beautiful in Switzerland. 

On the leisurely route, you can see the 

storks in Altreu, the historic town of Büren 

a. A. and the impressive lock in Port. 

More information: solothurn-city.ch 


Exciting family excursion 

to the medieval Thun Castle 

Discover with your family the majestic Thun Castle 

and its charming city. 

schlossthun.ch/en 

Thun Castle 

Schlossberg 1 | CH-3600 Thun | P 0041 33 223 20 01 | info@schlossthun.ch | schlossthun.ch 

Thunersee – Brienzersee

Basel‚s Hidden Stories 

Are you looking for something fun for the next children‚s birthday party? 

Or would you like to take your school class on a voyage of discovery 

through Basel? 

Then book the action-packed walking tour “Basel‚s Hidden Stories„ 

including one copy of the book by Jeanne Darling and Jooce Garrett 

with two fascinating fairy tales. 

Price from CHF 300 

Duration 1 h 15 min. 

Languages German or English 

basel.com

ADVERTORIAL 

Top family holiday on a 

magical mountainside 

Is this the dream family escape? Kids 

are brilliantly entertained 

while parents are totally 

rejuvenated. And it’s all 

in high style, literally, 

as the Bürgenstock 

Resort Lake 

Lucerne is 

spectacularly 

located on a 

500-metre-high 

ledge above the 

lake from which 

it draws its name. 

Whatever your idea of 

perfect parenting you’ll 

find all you need in this Alpine legend. 

Want them to engage with nature, 

learn to milk a cow or make 

Swiss cheese? Tick. Are 

they little chocolate 

fiends? Join a 

gourmet pâtissier 

in a choco class. 

Perhaps they 

are bouncing 

with energy, 

or just need 

to be tempted 

away from the 

screen, Bürgenstock 

Resort Lake Lucerne 

has world-class sports 

facilities. Stunning tennis courts host top 

notch trainers. Whether they’re budding 

champions or just learning to hold a 

racket, here’s the place. There’s pickleball 

too, famously fun for all the family. The 

calendar of golf competitions encourages 

young sportifs onto the scenic Alpine 

course, you might take a swing yourself. 

Calm and creativity 

While kids leap for joy, parents weep with 

relief as they relinquish themselves to the 

heavenly Bürgenstock Alpine Spa. Leave 

the little ones in the adjacent Kids Club, 

their own colourful heaven. By the time you 

float out, they’ll have created something 

astonishing out of sticks or pom poms and 


ADVERTORIAL 

been thoroughly cossetted. Of course, 

if you have a mini spa devotee they can 

choose a fruit facial, fairy manicure or 

princess pedicure. 

Enchantment 

Arriving at the Bürgenstock Resort is an 

event in itself. Cross Lake Lucerne by 

hybrid catamaran and ride the bright 

red funicular 500 metres up the magical 

mountainside. The kids will be enchanted. 

Your accomodation is also pretty special. 

The vast bathtub seems to float in the 

scenery, delightful distraction until little 

fingers go wrinkly. Snuggle up in fluffy robes 

next to the flickering fireplace, then nestle 

them in their special cloud bed made up in 

the bay window, they’ll drift off for sweet 

dreams. 

Reassuringly Swiss 

The Bürgenstock Resort team will really 

transform your holiday. There’s a genuine 

family spirit which you sense when they’re 

dealing with your own family. New parents 

will find this a tender environment. 

Knowing the kids are cared for by Swiss 

professionals is very reassuring. It’s definitely 

somewhere you can let go and finally enjoy 

precious ‘me time’. 

Tempting offer 

There’s an excellent Family Getaway 

available to book. It includes a pass for the 

resort’s Hammetschwand Lift, whooshing 

you into out-of-this world scenery on the 

mountain peak. The highest outdoor 

elevator in Europe has been thrilling world 

travellers for nearly 150 years. There’s a 

Treasure Hunt across the 60-hectare resort, 

with dashing fun through the forests. Kids 

have ‘Splash’ n Flash’ time between two 

pools, and an exclusive family screening at 

the Bürgenstock Cinema with treats. The 

icing on the cake is for parents, unlimited 

time in the ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa’. A 

family holiday on this mountainside will 

make many new memories and they’re 

bound to be absolutely magical. 

Contact: 

reservations@burgenstockresort.com 

Stay dates: 29 th March - 31 st October 2024 

Family Getaway | Bürgenstock Resort Lake 

Lucerne (burgenstockresort.com) 


90+ 

Countries 

1000+ 

Schools 

The International Curriculum Association (ICA) is an active, wellconnected 

and global community of passionate educators who 

operate at the forefront of global education. 

It exists to Champion Quality, Improve Learning and Unlock Potential and has been supporting the 

development of educators and learners for over 30 years. The ICA benefits over 1,000 schools in 

more than 90 different countries. Its International Curriculum exists to deliver robust academic 

learning and improve students’ capacity to positively impact the world. 

Hear from our 

Accredited schools 

Scan QR code to find out more or visit 

www.internationalcurriculum.com 

“This accreditation reflects our school’s 

commitment to high quality learning in a caring, 

collaborative environment. We are excited 

to continue our continuous learning journey 

alongside ICA as we support our young learners’ 

pathway to success.” 

St Michael’s International School 

“This was a valuable and worthwhile journey, the 

process allowed us to evaluate not only if we 

were facilitating the shared vision of the school 

but also if this vision was constantly alive in day 

to day learning.” 

Hope International Academy

From Zurich-West to Water Tales: 

Go Beyond the Guidebook on 

Themed Tours in 

Zürich, Switzerland. 

Every second Wednesday, 5 pm 

➡ zuerich.com/english-themedtours 

#visitzurich

ADVERTORIAL 

The Ballenberg experts 

present over 30 different 

traditional crafts, skills and 

professions - like the pottery. 

SIGHTSEEING 

SWITZERLAND 

– at the Swiss 

Open-Air Museum 

110 historic buildings from all regions of Switzerland, over 200 farm animals 

and craftsmanship from days gone by: at Ballenberg you experience 

Switzerland with all your senses. The spacious grounds of Switzerland’s 

only open-air museum stretch between the communities of Hofstetten and 

Brienzwiler, above Brienz, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. 

Various cultural events take place during the 

season of the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg. 

At Ballenberg you will find historic 

buildings from all over Switzerland 

as well as over 200 farm animals. 

Every time you visit the Swiss Open- 

Air Museum Ballenberg you’ll 

discover something new. Start your 

Ballenberg visit with a stroll through one of 

the 110 historic buildings. From the modest 

home of a day-labourer to the impressive 

farmhouse of a large Bernese farming 

family: take a look into parlours, kitchens, 

dining rooms and bedrooms and imagine 

the daily life of the inhabitants. In 13 

different regions – from the Jura to Central 

Switzerland, Ticino to high up in the Alps – 

you can visualise the domestic situation and 

rural life of a bygone era. 

66 hectares of cultivated landscape 

The buildings in the Swiss Open-Air 

Museum Ballenberg are all situated in welltended 

cultivated landscapes. At Ballenberg, 

land is traditionally cultivated with old tools 


ADVERTORIAL 

and equipment. Seeds are still sown in the 

fields using horses, a team of oxen ploughs 

furrows in the field. Farmers’ gardens are 

laid out according to historical patterns 

and almost forgotten varieties of vegetables 

and fruit are often grown in them. Discover 

the varieties that grow and flourish in the 

Ballenberg gardens and experience all 

the care and maintenance work that is 

necessary during the seasons. Watch our 

employees sowing and harvesting, learn 

how vegetables and fruit were preserved 

in the past and with luck be able to fill 

your bag from the market stall with freshly 

picked produce from the gardens and fields 

before you make your way home. 

Over 30 traditional crafts 

Can you smell it too? The smell of freshly 

baked bread is in the air! In the bakery 

“The Ballenberg experts present over 30 different 

traditional crafts, skills and professions.” 

belonging to the ‘Stöckli’ from Detligen/ 

Radelfingen BE, fresh Ballenberg bread 

is baked every day. Watch the bakers as 

they carry out their work or pay a visit to 

the alpine dairy from Kandersteg BE to 

discover how tasty Ballenberg “mutschli” 

are made using fresh milk. It’s not only food 

production that can be followed daily at 

the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg. 

Many old crafts are actively practised in 

the workshops: do you know what filoching 

is? How does traditional rope-making 

work? The Ballenberg experts present over 

30 different traditional crafts, skills and 

professions. Maybe you’ll discover a new 

hobby on your next visit to Ballenberg! 

More than 200 farm animals 

Besides architecture, crafts and numerous 

exhibitions and activities, more than 200 

farmyard animals bring life to the openair 

museum. Observe the slow-paced but 

powerful oxen grazing, watch the awkward 

foal taking its first steps, let the cheeky goats 

tease you or please the little piglets with a 

caress. Here and there flocks of chickens 

cluck their way through the museum’s 

grounds or geese refresh themselves with 

a splash in the stream. There is always 

something going on in the pastures and 

stables at Ballenberg. 


ADVERTORIAL 

All Aboard the 

GOLDENPASS 

EXPRESS 

Enjoy a fascinating 3 hours and 15 minutes journey between Montreux and Interlaken 

onboard the GoldenPass Express. Thanks to the big panoramic windows in all 

travel classes, you are fully immersed in the stunning landscape. In addition to 1st 

class and 2nd class, 18 “Prestige” class seats await you in two elevated compartments. 

Montreux, Château-d’Oex, Gstaad, Zweisimmen, Spiez, Interlaken... a whole 

country appears in all its splendour and diversity. Embark on an exceptional train 

that combines technology, comfort and gastronomy. 

©Tobias Ryser 

The history of the GoldenPass 

The idea of linking the tourist regions of Lake 

Geneva, Gstaad and the lakes of Thun and 

Brienz dates back to 1873. Existing railway 

tracks used distinctly different systems: metric 

between Montreux and Zweisimmen and 

normal gauge between Zweisimmen and 

Interlaken. This meant that single trains were 

not able to travel the entire distance between 

these regions. 

Throughout the years various plans were 

made to facilitate uninterrupted travel. 

However, in 2008, MOB proposed an 

innovative solution. Rather than changing the 

tracks, the bogies - the removable carriages 

that support the coach - were modified 

instead. This allowed the train to move from 

one track type to another thanks to the gauge 

changing ramp built in Zweisimmen. 


ADVERTORIAL 

Sit back and relax 

The GoldenPass Express Prestige 

compartments are characterised by their 

very comfortable, heated seats which enable 

the passenger to always face in the direction 

of travel. The Prestige area is raised by 40 

centimetres allowing passengers to be fully 

immersed in the landscape. 

Gourmet Journey 

A journey is experienced not only with 

your eyes but also through flavour. Aboard 

the GoldenPass Express, you will have the 

chance to sample a range of local products, 

from cheese made nearby to Frutigen caviar, 

fresh fruit juice from the Valais, Lavaux 

wines and beer from Interlaken - All served 

to your seat. 

Embark on the GoldenPass Express and 

experience some of the most beautiful 

landscapes in Switzerland, from the lake 

to the mountains, from the city to the 

countryside, from the palm trees to the 

snowy peaks, the GoldenPass Express is one 

of Switzerland’s legendary trains. 

Pre-booking is highly recommended for 1st 

and 2nd class and mandatory in Prestige. 

www.gpx.swiss/en/ 


ADVERTORIAL 

©Zürich Tourism 

GET TO KNOW THE REAL 

ZURICH THIS SUMMER! 

For many visitors to Switzerland 

Zurich is the first stop on their Swiss 

adventure. A bustling city of over 

400 000, Zurich offers a wonderful mix of 

culture, history, urban development, and 

natural environment. For visitors wanting 

to become familiar with the rich history of 

the city, or expats who want to know more 

about their new home, we are offering 

specialised tours in English every second 

Wednesday evening from April to October. 

These tours go beyond the basics and 

offer a deep dive into a range of different 

themes. Our professional and passionate 

tour guides captivate participants with 

fascinating stories and interesting facts 

about Zurich. Up-coming themes include: 


Reformation in Zurich - 26 June, 2024 

This historical tour provides you with 

comprehensive information and insights 

about how the Reformation came about 

in Zurich. We stroll past the majestic 

facades of the most important churches 

in downtown Zurich, and discuss the key 

stages in the work of reformer Ulrich 

Zwingli. 


ADVERTORIAL 

Water in Zurich - 10 July, 2024 

Zurich´s cityscape is adorned with over 

1,200 public fountains – with fresh, crystal 

clear drinking water that everyone can 

enjoy for free. On this tour, you will learn 

the importance of the Sodbrunnen and 

Zisternenbrunnen fountains that date back 

to the Middle Ages and visit a selection 

of heavily symbolic fountains such as the 

Hercules Fountain and the Lindenhof 

Fountain, dedicated to the brave women of 

Zurich. 

Me, My Zurich, and You - 24 July 2024 

Anyone who wants to get to know Zurich at 

a more personal level should go on the “Me, 

My Zurich and You” tour. On this tour, 

local guides provide insight into their own 

private Zurich. The tour leads once around 

Zurichʼs lake basin, with stops at the harbor, 

Quaibrücke, Bellevue, and many other 

interesting places along the way. 

Zurich’s Powerful Women 

- 07 August 2024 

Is it possible to drive away an army 

without spilling a drop of blood? That’s 

exactly what the valiant women of Zurich 

did. On this tour through the inner city, 

we visit places related to the work and 

accomplishments of renowned locals such 

as Adele Duttweiler, Franziska Dosenbach, 

Nadezhda Suslova, Johanna Spyri, Mileva 

Maric and many more. 

Architecture in Zurich - 21 August 2024 

This walking tour takes around two 

hours and introduces architecture fans to 

significant buildings in Zurichʼs inner city. 

Between the majestic State Museum and 

Sechseläuten square, you will be guided 

past monumental constructions like the 

main train station, both universities, as well 

as numerous guild houses and religious 

buildings. 

Made in Zurich - 04 September 2024 

From iconic personal care articles to 

aesthetic coffee machines – in Zurich, 

products are created that impress with 

their innovation, design, functionality, and 

quality. On this fascinating tour through 

one of Zurich´s youngest neighborhoods, 

interested visitors get to know a selection of 

genuine Zurich products. These are made 

by creatives with a great deal of passion 

and inventive spirit. During the tour, guests 

will have the opportunity to taste some of 


the products, as well as learn about the 

historical and architectural background to 

the vibrant neighborhood around Zurich 

Main Station. 

Dada Art Movement 

- 18 September 2024 

In 1916, exiled artists gathered in Zurich’s 

then disreputable Niederdorf district. Just a 

few meters from where Lenin was living in 

exile, Hugo Ball and his future wife Emmy 

Hennings established the legendary artist 

hangout Cabaret Voltaire, which welcomed 

all people, styles and schools of thought. 

The Dadaists – as they began calling 

themselves – experimented with sound 

poems and simultaneous poems, collages 

and photo montages, and were undoubtedly 

the most international, noisiest and 

probably also the most innovative artists of 

their day. The Dada city tour will introduce 

you to the initiators and show you where 

they used to hang out in Zurich. 

History of Money in Zurich - 02 October 

This exciting tour through Zurich recounts 

the city’s long relationship with money, as 

highlighted by impressive and interesting 

facts: What does the silk industry have 

to do with banks? Who were the city’s 

Tourist Information 

Im Hauptbahnhof 

8001 Zürich 

Website: www.zuerich.com 

Email: info@zuerich.com 

Phone: +41 44 215 40 00 

Cost: From CHF 25.00 

money lenders 

and where did people 

first envisage a bold vision for the future? 

Answers to these and other intriguing 

questions will be explained during this 

leisurely stroll with a focus on historical 

economic aspects. 

Zurich’s Love Stories - 16 October 2024 

Where did composer Richard Wagner meet 

the love of his life – even though he was 

already married? What is the “marriage 

room” at city hall used for? And who 

stopped the infamous womanizer Giacomo 

Casanova from entering Zurichʼs Einsiedeln 

Abbey? These are just some of the many 

romantic, funny and tragic anecdotes you 

can look forward to on this very special 

tour. 

Archaeology in Zurich - 31 October 2024 

Fans of archeology can watch history come 

to life in the heart of Zurich’s old town. 

On this tour, we delve into the mysteries 

of the Ehgraben medieval sewage system, 

track down the old city walls and enjoy a 

stunning view from the Roman fortress. 

This is the perfect tour for anyone keen to 

learn more about Zurich´s long-forgotten 

secrets. 


ADVERTORIAL 

©Fotografie Fokus Thun/Christoph Gerber 

Family weekends in Thun 

Situated on the banks of Lake Thun, 

encircled by two branches of the 

River Aare and nestling 

against a stunning mountain 

backdrop, the city of Thun 

welcomes visitors. The 

unmistakable landmark 

of Thun Castle 

has towered over 

the rooftops of the 

Zähringen city since 

the 12th century. A 

weekend here with the 

family presents a perfect 

opportunity to fall under 

the spell of the city by the River Aare and 

discover the charms of Lake Thun. 

©Schweiz Tourismus/Marc Luethi 

The invigorating waters 

of Thun 

Standing on the banks 

of Lake Thun, and 

with the River Aare 

flowing through the 

city, Thun offers 

many chances 

to freshen up in 

cooling waters on a 

hot summer’s day. The 

Schwäbis River Pool invites 


you to leap into the water from a bridge, 

then drift within the river pool effortlessly 

to the next bridge. A choice of swimming 

pools, a slide and diving platforms of 

three, five and ten metres await you and 

your children at the Thun lido. Those who 

prefer to cool off in natural waters can 

also wade directly out into Lake Thun. As 

if that weren’t enough, the kids can play 

table tennis, beach volleyball or football 

to their hearts’ content while their parents 

relax on the expansive lawn. To get a fresh 

perspective on the landscape around the 

lake, Lake Thun is also ideal for stand-up 

paddling or canoeing excursions with the

ADVERTORIAL 

© BLS Schifffahrt AG 

family for instance on 

the Lake Thun Canoeing 

Trail. 

Highlight: Thun Castle: From symbol of 

power to museum 

Today’s castle and its outbuildings 

was originally a fortified complex. As 

archaeological excavations revealed, a 

grand residence with an enclosing wall 

was built here as early as the 12th century. 

Accommodated in what was once the keep, 

the historical museum opened in 1888. 

Today it is operated by the Foundation 

Thun Castle. 

While parents visit the museum to 

discover absorbing facts about the castle, 

their kids can spend some time playing a 

detective game and following clues. Crack 

the code and open the wooden box in the 

castle dungeon to receive 

a reward. To make your 

trip to the museum 

an exciting shared 

occasion, the whole 

family can join the 

search in the “Made 

in Thun” game. 

Boat trips on 

Lake Thun 

If you’d prefer not to 

cross Lake Thun under 

your own steam, simply 

sit back and savour the view 

on a leisurely boat ride. As you ply 

deep blue Lake Thun, drink in the sight 

of the majestic mountains that dominate 

the region, and the ancient castles 

dotting the shores of the lake. The 

Globi Family Day Ticket from 

BLS Interlaken Lake Cruise 

not only guarantees an 

unforgettable trip, it’s easy 

on your wallet too. 

©Schloss Thun 

Recommended hotel: 

Boutique Hotel 

Schlossberg 

Discover the most beautiful 

side of the Bernese 

Oberland, and the city of 

Thun in particular, when you 

spend an unforgettable night 

or two with your sweetheart and 


your dear children at the Boutique Hotel 

Schlossberg. Overlooking the courtyard 

and keep in an open-plan family room 

connected to their parents’ space in the 

one-time prison wing of Thun Castle, kids 

are guaranteed to feel like royalty. The 

room includes a desk, television, shower, 

coffee machine and minibar as well as free 

Wi-Fi. The next morning, fortify yourself 

with breakfast before embarking on an 

exciting tour of discovery. Be sure to take 

full advantage of the PanoramaCard, which 

offers many benefits. 

More information: thunersee.ch/en 

Contact: thun@thunersee.ch 

©Restaurant & Hotel Schlossberg

ADVERTORIAL 

ACTIVATE 

SUMMER MODE! 

As spring turns into summer and 

the days become longer, it is the 

perfect time to enjoy outdoor 

activities in Switzerland. Even without 

snow, there are exciting ways to enjoy 

Switzerland’s nature and in particular, 

its mountains! From cycle tours to rock 

climbing, and even bike boarding, there are 

numerous exhilarating ways to spend your 

summer! 

The Wheels Keep Turning - Bike Tours 

With over 12,000 kilometres of signposted 

cycling paths that criss-cross diverse 

landscapes and terrains, Switzerland is a 

cyclists’ paradise! 

There are almost 360 cycle 

tours showcased on 

switzerland.com. There 

is something for 

everyone ranging 

from short scenic 

rides to longer 

multi-day 

trips, as well 

as routes for 

touring bikers, 

leisure cyclists and 

e-bikers. 

Along the bike 

trails and cycle routes 

are extremely comfortable pit stops - the 

award-winning Swiss Bike Hotels. They 

offer comfortable rooms, as well as bike 

garages, repair services, maps, local cuisine 

and much more. 

The Sky’s the Limit - Rock Climbing 

Climbing in the Val d’Hérens is a very 

accessible experience. With its many 

lovingly renovated and entirely re-equipped 

routes that can be found in the Val 

d’Hérens Climbing Guide . From beginnerlevel 

escarpments to challenging rock faces 

for seasoned climbers, every site has its 

own character, rock type and enchanting 

surroundings. 

In summer, the cool air of the 

Alps allows visitors to scale 

the heights in even the 

hottest of months. 

The Val d’Hérens 

is a paradise 

for vertical 

adventures all 

year round, 

the Via ferrata 

and ice climbing 

complete the range 

of activities on offer. 

The valley offers 

many routes for 

beginners where they can gain experience 

while enjoying the natural beauty of the 

surroundings. Experienced mountain guides 

are also available to help you get started. 

For those with more experience, the Val 

d’Hérens offers some sizable challenges 

with sheer walls and technical climbs that 

test your strength, focus and technique. The 

variety of terrain allows every climber to 

find the right routes for them. 

Cruise Control - Trotti Bike 

Board Adventure 

Trotti Bike Boards promise summer fun 

for the young and young-at-heart as you 

race down from the Rossweid to the village 

of Sörenberg! The “fat-scooters” have 

oversized tires, look cool and guarantee 


ADVERTORIAL 

riding fun for all ages. Catch the Rossweid 

gondola to the top (1470m above sea 

level) to find the beginning of this exciting 

activity! The fast-paced descent takes 

you past wonderful mountain meadows, 

a sparkling reservoir, the Schlacht alpine 

cheese dairy farm and back to the Rossweid 

gondola (1166 m above sea level) station 

at the bottom. This exhilarating half 

day activity is suitable for people aged 

10 and up. Stay overnight at one of the 

nearby accommodation options and enjoy 

traditional food at the Erlebnisrestaurant 

Rossweid. 

For more information on these and other 

fantastic summer activities, visit our 

website: switzerland.com 


PREPARING YOUR 

CHILD FOR UNIVERSITY: 

How Parents Can Help 

WRITTEN BY PHILIPPA DOBRÉE-CAREY, FOUNDER, FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO UNI LTD 

You may be approaching one of 

the first major milestones in your 

child’s life – IB or A Level results. 

What’s next? Higher education, a gap year, 

an apprenticeship, or diving headfirst into 

a career? 

Preparing for adulthood and 

independence is the beginning of a new 

chapter in your child’s life, where they will 

be exposed to new experiences, a diverse 

range of people and the sudden impact of 

independence as a young adult. 

To ensure a smooth transition, no matter 

what path your student chooses, students 

need to prepare adequately. Knowing that 

your student has taken all the necessary 

steps to navigate a successful transition will 

help them feel more confident and prepared 

for the challenges that lie ahead. 

In this article, we will provide tips and 

advice on how students can prepare for 

university with the knowledge, preparation, 

and confidence to successfully survive and 

thrive on campus. Most of these steps 

will also apply to the various other routes 

that students may take and can be applied 

accordingly. 

The Practical Aspects of Preparing for 

University Life 

Preparing for university life involves more 

than just academic preparation. Students 

need to consider practical aspects of 

university life that can impact their overall 

experience. 

This section discusses some practical 


“Students need to learn how 

to stick to a budget when 

shopping for groceries, how 

to anticipate their needs with 

a meal plan, how to make 

a shopping list, and how to 

store their groceries.” 


“Sports activities address wellbeing in two ways – for physical health and wellbeing, 

and as a great way to make friends, especially if they play on a sports team.” 

considerations for university life, including 

financial planning and support, health, 

and wellbeing, social integration and 

networking. 

Learn Some Life Skills 

By life skills, I mean the practical tasks that 

will be required when living independently 

away from home. This includes knowing 

how to cook a few meals so that students 

don’t starve in the first week or blow their 

monthly budget by buying overpriced ready 

meals or takeaway food. 

Students need to learn how to stick to a 

budget when shopping for groceries, how to 

anticipate their needs with a meal plan, how 

to make a shopping list, and how to store 

their groceries. 

Other key skills that every student needs 

to learn include how to do laundry, the 

basics of cleaning and personal hygiene. 

Understanding public transport and 

knowing how to deal with emergencies 

could also be added to the list of life skills 

needed to navigate university life. 

Financial Planning and Support 

Managing finances is one of the main 

concerns for most students. Financial woes 

are a major reason why many students 

drop out of university, with more than four 

out of five students struggling to make 

ends meet, according to an annual student 

money survey conducted in the UK. 

The stress of worrying about money 

can affect a student’s mental health and 

wellbeing. Therefore, it is important to take 

the time to create a realistic budget together 

with your student, that takes into account 

the cost of tuition, accommodation, food, 

and other expenses, and for them to 

learn how to manage bills first, and social 

spending second! 

Eligible students should also explore 

financial aid options such as scholarships 

and student loans. 

All international students should open a 

local student bank account to manage their 

finances and avoid unnecessary foreign 

exchange fees. 

Health and Wellbeing 

Maintaining good physical and mental 

health is essential for academic success. 

Students should be encouraged to make use 

of campus health services and resources 

such as counselling and student support 

services. 

Another key benefit to a student’s health 

is the use of sports facilities. Sports activities 

address wellbeing in two ways – for physical 

health and wellbeing, and as a great way 

to make friends, especially if they play on 

a sports team. Regular training sessions 

are a great way to help your student bond 

with teammates, get out of the classroom 

/ residence regularly during the week, 

and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Freshers’ 

Weight is a thing! 

It is also important for students to register 

as soon as possible with the on-site medical 

centre, if available, or a local GP surgery, 

in case of urgent need. Read more about 

Freshers’ Flu to prepare and equip your 

student in advance. 

Consider taking out health insurance to 

cover medical expenses, depending on the 

location, and teach your student how it 

works. 

Social Integration and Networking 

Making friends and building a support 

network are also important for a student’s 

wellbeing and academic success. 

Connecting on social media is a useful 

way to get to know other students prior to 

departure, so they may break the ice before 

arriving on campus. 

Attending orientation events and getting 

involved in extracurricular activities are the 

best ways to meet new people and build 

connections. The Student Union is also a 

valuable resource for social integration and 

networking. 

Preparing to Leave Home 

Preparing thoroughly for this transition can 

help make the process of leaving home and 

starting university less daunting, so parents 

should support their students by preparing 

them with the necessary skills to start 

university with confidence in their ability 

to live independently and hit the ground 

running. 

You will still receive the inevitable “How 

do I …” texts and phone calls, especially 

in the first few weeks, so think of it as a 

transition for you too! 



See you in Solothurn 

Discover the most beautiful baroque town in Switzerland. 

In the historic centre you will find the imposing St. Ursus 

Cathedral, the main square „Märetplatz“, picturesque little 

streets and much more. After a fascinating guided tour, 

the name „Ambassadors‘ City“ no longer remains a secret. 

The public guided tours in English take place every Saturday 

at 2.30 pm until 26th of October 2024. 

Booking is required: solothurn-city.ch/guided-tour 

Solothurn Tourismus 

Hauptgasse 69 

4500 Solothurn 

T +41 32 626 46 46 

info@solothurn-city.ch 

solothurn-city.ch 

#VisitSolothurn 


© 1924 / International Olympic Committee (IOC) 

Paris Olympique 


Temporary exhibition 

25 May 2024 – 

19 January 2025 

Free entrance 

Quai d’Ouchy 1 

CH – 1006 Lausanne 

olympics.com/museum 

Media partners

GET KIDS TO 

LISTEN WITHOUT 

YELLING 

WRITTEN BY METTE THEILMANN 


I’m sure we’ve all been there, where we 

feel that yelling has been our ‘go-to’ 

reaction. We might start out with the 

right intentions, we listen and we stay calm. 

But in the end we grab the last resource we 

have – suddenly we are YELLING – and 

only then do they finally listen and take 

us seriously. It works in the here and now 

but not long term! And I get it; it takes lots 

of practice and patience to get what we 

are asking for without yelling or losing our 

temper. 

Why should we NOT be yelling! 

• When we yell we have lost all control of 

ourselves and any chance we had of staying 

in charge of the situation. Actually, we have 

given away all the power we might have 

had. 

• When we start yelling we have stopped 

all forms of healthy communication 

since we are not listening any more. Our 

negative emotions have taken over and are 

controlling us. There is no way forward to 

“When we yell we have lost all control of ourselves 

and any chance we had of staying in charge of the 

situation. Actually, we have given away all the 

power we might have had.” 

solve the issues that respects our kids and 

sits well with us. 

• It sends a signal to our kid’s brains that 

they are in danger and they will most 

likely go into fight or flight mode and will 

automatically fight back or move away (run 

away from us, in fact they are just running 

away from danger). 

• Yelling can have a long term effect on our 

kids if it happens too often and we become 

out of control. Nobody likes to be yelled at 

and it is a humiliating experience they will 

carry with them. 

• We are our kids’ biggest role model and 

from an early age they copy everything we 

say and do and how we say it! I think you 

know what I am about to say now…Yes, if 

we want our kids to stop yelling and start 

listening we need to show them how! 

So how can get our yelling under 

control? 

Everything starts with an emotion (anger, 

frustration, lost, sadness, disappointment 

etc), that lead to our actions (yelling, hitting, 

shaming etc). So if we want to manage our 

loud voice and word overflow we need to 

first check in with our emotions – what we 

feel in the here and now: 

1 

Notice the feeling when it comes and 

STOP what you are about to say and 

take a deep BREATH. Nothing else for 

now. Just STOP and BREATH. 


“Yelling can have a long term effect on our kids if it happens too often and 

we become out of control. Nobody likes to be yelled at and it is a humiliating 

experience they will carry with them.” 

THINK: what am I feeling right now 

2 and why – verbalise it: ‘I feel really 

upset / angry / frustrated right now . At 

this point don’t fight it, just step into the 

feeling and accept it as it is. ‘This is my 

feeling and I cannot get rid of it, but I don’t 

want it to control how I parent next!’ 

Notice any self-thoughts or doubts 

3 and then challenge them: I am a good 

parent, I can do this, I want to be a positive 

role model for my child to follow, they are 

good kids most of them time, I love my 

child and my family. 

Then allow a pause before you do or 

4 say anything. This will ground you to 

the moment and help you to calm down. 

5MAKE A DECISION: now that you 

have checked in with yourself you are in 

a better position to choose what you will do 

and say, or NOT do and say. And it’s OK to 

take a time out or ignore a child’s behaviour 

– as long as you re-engage later and restore 

the balance and connection with the child 

and your family. 

Make it a family agreement to work 

6 on the yelling. Sit with your family and 

agree to a ‘you use your calm voice’ rule. 

You can agree to a signal that you can give 

each other when anybody is about to yell. 

You can also agree to the consequences of 

yelling i.e. if anyone yell we say it nicely 

‘please use your calm voice’ or other actions 

that work for you or your family. 

Admit to mistakes: we are human, you 

7 will get it wrong, but awareness is the 

first step to change. You might at times fall 

back into the trap of yelling. Go back and 

say, ‘that was not my finest hour and I will 

work on it changing that’. 

And be kind to yourself: just by reading 

this article you are already changing things 

for the better, since you care and are 

willing to work on things. No one said that 

parenting was going to be easy and most of 

us are trying our best and sometimes that is 

good enough! 


START YOUR 

INTERNATIONAL CAREER 

Double degree with University of Plymouth (UK) 

BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMS IN: 

• International Management 

• International Relations and Diplomacy 

• Digital Media 

• Business Analytics 

• Computer Science 

IIG.CH

THE 

GLOSSARY 

OF LGBTQ+ 

TERMS 

WRITTEN BY CATH BREW 

One of most common fears of LGBTQ+ allies is that they will accidentally offend an LGBTQ+ person by using the wrong 

terminology. There is a genuine worry about inadvertently getting it wrong, especially when someone is passionate 

about wanting to get it correct. 

Firstly, don’t worry. Most people won’t mind a genuine mistake – just apologise and move on. The second-best thing 

you can do is get it right the next time. Being familiar with LGBTQ+ terms has a double positive impact. It will give you 

the confidence to navigate diverse genders and sexualities and it’s also one of the best ways to show your support and 

respect for LGBTQ+ people. 

There are a large range of terms out there. Here are some to get you started. 

A 

Ally: Someone who supports, educates 

themselves about and champions for the 

rights of LGBTQ+ people. 

AFAB/AMAB: The short form of 

Assigned Female at Birth/Assigned Male 

at Birth – used when a person’s gender 

identity is different to their sex. 

Aromantic (Aro): People who do not 

experience romantic attraction. 

Asexual: A person who has little or no 

sexual attraction to other people. It is a 

sexual orientation just like any other. 

Assigned gender/sex: The gender/sex 

that is assumed when a person is born. 

B 

Binding: The process of wrapping 

material or wearing a manufactured binder 

to reduce the appearance of a person’s 

breasts and minimise gender dysphoria. 

Biological sex: The biological differences 

between males and females. A person’s sex 

is assigned at birth based on their genitals, 

but sex can also be assigned later in life - 

when a person is intersex. 

Biphobia: The dislike and prejudice of 

bisexual people. 

Birth name: The name given to a person 

by their parents at birth. Commonly used in 

reference to trans people. 

Bisexual (bi): A person who is sexually, 

emotionally and romantically attracted to 

more than one gender, commonly the same 

as their own and another. 

Blockers: Also known as puberty blockers, 

they are prescribed to stop a person from 

going through puberty. They are used 

as part of the gender affirming care of 

transgender children. 


Bottom surgery: Surgery that changes 

a person’s genitals to match their gender 

identity. Commonly not available to people 

under 18 years. 

Butch: A term that distinguishes more 

masculine women from their feminine 

counterparts. 

C 

Chosen family: The people that 

LGBTQ+ choose as their family when their 

genetic family is not supportive of their 

gender and/or sexuality. 

Cisgender (cis): A person whose gender 

identity aligns with their sex assigned at 

birth. E.g. someone who was born female 

and is living as a woman. Known also as 

being cis. 

Cis het: Someone who is cis gender and 

heterosexual.

Cisnormativity: The assumption that 

everyone is cis gender. 

Closeted: A person who has not told 

anyone about their LGBTQ+ sexuality or 

gender. 

Coming out: When a person decides to 

share their LGBTQ+ identity with other 

people. 

D 

Deadnaming: Incorrectly using a 

transgender person’s birth name after they 

have changed it as part of their transition. 

Demiboy/Demigirl: A young person 

who feels that part of their identity 

aligns with masculine/feminine 

characteristics, but it’s not the whole of 

their identity. 

Detransition: The act of reversing a 

gender transition. In itself, it does not mean 

that a person regrets their transition. Some 

decide being trans person in a cisnormative 

world is too hard. They are still trans but 

decide to hide it to make life easier. Only 

1-2% of people detransition. 

Drag (drag queen/drag king): A 

creative person who dresses in exaggerated 

makeup and clothing and performs on 

stage. A drag queen is usually a man 

dressed as a woman, whilst a drag king, is a 

woman dressed as a man. 

E 

Enby: Another word for a person who 

identifies as non-binary (as in N.B). E.g. “I 

am enby.” 

F 

Femme: A lesbian who presents as 

‘traditionally’ feminine (clothing, makeup, 

behaviour etc). 

FTM: The acronym for a transgender 

person who has transitioned from female to 

male. 

G 

Gay: A person who is sexually, emotionally 

and romantically attracted to people of the 

same sex. 

Gender: The socially constructed roles, 

behaviours, expressions, identities that is 

expected of girls/women, boys/men and 

other genders. 

Gender affirming care: The range of 

medical, social and psychological care 

which supports and affirms a person’s 

gender. 

Gender binary: The idea that there are 

only two genders. 

Gender diverse: Refers to a person 

whose gender identity is different to man/ 

woman. 

Gender dysphoria: The distress that can 

occur for people who feel that their gender 

identity is mismatched to their sex assigned 

at birth. 

Gender euphoria: The relief and feeling 

of joy that trans people experience when 

their body matches their gender identity. 

Gender expansive: An umbrella term for 

people who lives outside the stereotypes of 

binary gender. Also known as gender nonconforming. 

Gender expression: How a person 

chooses to express their gender (clothing, 

jewellery, hairstyle etc.) 

Gender fluid: Refers to a person whose 

gender changes over time. 

Gender identity: A person’s internal felt 

sense of their own gender. 

Genderqueer: A person who does not 

associate their gender with man/woman. 

H 

Het: The short form of heterosexual 

Heteronormativity: The assumption 

that everyone is heterosexual 

Heterosexual: A person who is sexually, 


people of a different sex. 

Homophobia: The dislike and prejudice 

of gay people. 

I 

Intersectionality: The concept that 

people experience multiple discriminations 

across their different identities. For example, 

a Black gay woman will have additional 

inequalities than a White gay woman. 

Intersex: A person whose genitals, 

chromosomes and reproductive organs do 

not fit the typical definition of male/female. 

Inclusive language: Language that does 

not assume roles or identities. For example, 

‘sibling’ instead of brother/sister and ‘child’ 

instead of son/daughter. 

L 

Lesbian: A woman who is sexually, 


women. 

Lesphobia: The dislike and prejudice of 

lesbians. 

LGBTQ+: An umbrella term for 

people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, 

Transgender and Queer. The + symbol 

refers to all other genders and sexualities 

outside of cisgender and heterosexual. 

Sometimes you will see LGBTQIA+ 

(the I is for Intersex, the A – agender/ 

asexual). In North America, you will also 

see LGBTQ2S. The 2S refers to Two-spirit 

people, who are part of Native American 

culture. 

M 

Microaggressions: The frequent 

intentional and unintentional prejudice that 

marginalised people experience. 

Misgender: To assume the wrong gender 

about a person is to misgender them. 

MTF: A person who has transitioned from 

male to female. 

MX: A gender neutral pronoun. 

N 

Nibling: A gender-neutral term for niece 

or nephew. 

Non-binary: A person whose gender falls 

outside of the categories of man/female. 

Neo-pronoun: A new type of pronoun 

which doesn’t express a gender. They can 

be used by anyone, but are commonly used 

by transgender, non-binary and gender 

non-conforming people. Examples include: 

xe/xem/xyr (commonly pronounced zee/ 

zem/zeer) and ze/hir/hirs. 

O 

Orientation (sexual): A term which 

refers to who a person is sexually attracted 

to. 

Out: When a person is publicly open about 

their sexuality and/or gender, they are ‘out’. 

Outing: The act of telling other people 

that you are not cis gender or heterosexual. 

P 

Pansexual: A person who is attracted to 

all genders. 

Pronoun: Words which replace nouns. For 

example: he, she, they. 


Q 

Queer: People who reject any concept 

of social norms, commonly to do with 

sexuality and gender. 

Questioning: A person who is questioning 

their sexuality and gender and yet to label 

it. 

QTPOC: Queer and Trans People of 

Colour. 

R 

Rainbow Family: A family where the 

parents are in a same-sex relationship, are 

gender diverse or are part of the LGBTQ+ 

community. 

S 

Sex: Male, female or intersex – defined 

by a person’s genitals, chromosomes and 

reproductive organs. 

Sex assigned at birth: The sex which 

a doctor gives a child at birth, based on 

looking at their genitals. 

Spectrum: No one person is the same. 

There is a spectrum of being LGBTQ+. 

Social transitioning: The process by 

which a person changes how they express 

their gender to other people e.g clothing, 

hairstyle, pronouns, name and other 

reversible actions. 

T 

TERF: Stands for Trans Exclusionary 

Radical Feminist – feminists who do not 

believe that transgender people’s gender is 

legitimate and are hostile towards them. 

Top surgery: Surgery to remove or 

augment breast tissue to create a more 

masculine or feminine chest for trans 

and non-binary people. Commonly not 

available to people under 18 years. 

Transgender (trans): People who have 

an incongruence between their sex assigned 

at birth and their gender identity. 

Transgender woman/girl: A woman/ 

girl who was assigned male at birth. 

Transgender man/boy: A man/boy 

who was assigned female at birth. 

Transitioning: The process of aligning 

your sex to your gender identity. 

Transphobia: The dislike and prejudice 

of transgender people. 

AROUND THE GLOBE 

Brother Boy/Sister Girl (Australia): Aboriginal communities use this term for 

transgender people. 

Faʻafafine (Samoa): Males whose femininity appears in childhood and who the 

culture recognises as different to ‘typical’ boys. In pre-contact times Faʻafafine were 

keepers of cultural traditions and commonly asked by parents to name their children. 

Femminiello (Italy): A traditional Neapolitan cultural term (1500s) to describe 

people who are assigned male at birth but who dress as and assume female gender 

roles. Today, they’re still seen to bring good luck and have sacred roles within some 

local Catholic rituals and celebrations. 

Hijra (South Asia): Describes a cultural identity/third gender. Legally recognised 

in India, the hijra feature in Hindu religious texts and have an ancient history of 

playing sacred roles in Hindu ceremonies. 

Māhū (Hawaii/Tahiti): Refers to people who embody a third gender and hold 

traditional spiritual and social roles within the culture. 

Sekrata (Western Madagascar): Sekrata describes the people in the Sakalava 

ethnic group who are born with male characteristics, but displayed feminine 

behaviours and are raised as girls by their families. They’re considered to be sacred 

and hold supernatural powers. 

Two-Spirit (North America): A term used by Native Americans to describe 

people in their community who have both a masculine and feminine spirit. It 

encompasses gender, sexuality and spirituality. 


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