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Switzerland (French-Speaking)

Program Overview

Bienvenue en Suisse.
Spend a month hiking, mountain biking, exploring mountain villages, and living with your host family while gaining a deeper appreciation of Swiss alpine culture and improving your French language skills. A land of lush valleys, snow-covered mountains, alpine meadows, and vibrant cities, Switzerland is a breathtaking destination for an unforgettable French-language adventure.

Orientation in Geneva
Your adventure begins in the "world's smallest metropolis" -- a cosmopolitan city with a smalltown feel. Located on Lake Geneva between the Alps and Jura mountains, Geneva is an international city graced with majestic vistas. For three days, you and your group walk the streets of Old Town; explore some of the city's world-class museums, art galleries, and theaters; discover the famous flower clock and Lake Geneva's jet d'eau; and visit the headquarters of the International Red Cross.

Homestay
From Geneva, travel to the scenic lake district of Neuchâtel or the fertile lowland region of Lausanne to meet your homestay family, who take you in and show you the customs and traditions of the Swiss. Each day of your two-week homestay challenges you to use and improve your French language skills as you enjoy your host family and community.

Travel and Alpine Adventure
Following your homestay, head for the mountains! You and your group discover why Switzerland is world famous for its natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities. Saas Fee, Zermatt, and the Rhone River Valley are the backdrop as you hike meandering nature trails, mountain bike along raging rivers, visit ancient castles, and stroll through picturesque villages to learn more about local traditions firsthand.

Sample activities: Meet experienced mountaineers and observe their skills; bike through alpine valleys; hike through stunning forests with Swiss naturalists; learn about ecological issues facing the alpine region.

Sample host communities: Morges, Neuchâtel, Lausanne

"In four weeks, I was able to experience the extraordinary city of Geneva, become part of a Swiss family, and explore the wonders of the Swiss Alps, while forming genuine friendships with my fellow Experimenters. I cannot express how profoundly affected I was by the homestay experience. The French language, never a barrier, quickly became a natural, comfortable part of daily life. Indeed, with the Manzi family, I was a sister; I was a daughter; I truly felt at home."

-- Natasha Kovecevic, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

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