Interlaken, Switzerland Student Exchange 2009-2010
Plans for the bi-annual student exchange to Switzerland are being made for the 2009-2010 program. This year, students from any Scottsdale School’s International Club or any student member of Scottsdale Sister Cities will be eligible to apply to travel to Switzerland with the Sister Cities’ group. Applications are available on this website or from the high school International Club faculty advisors. The completed applications will be due November 19, 2008 by 2:50 pm. Interviews will occur in late November. The selected students will then get passports so that plane reservations and Swiss Rail Passes may be reserved.
The trip in the past has consisted of two weeks in Interlaken, Switzerland. Scottsdale students will be matched with Swiss students with whom they will live for two weeks. The families will provide housing and most meals. Several days are spent at the Gymnasium, the college prep high school in Interlaken. The rest of the time is spent absorbing Swiss culture through family activities and a few group excursions near Interlaken, including a trip to the top of Europe, the Jungfrau Joch. Scottsdale students will travel to Interlaken, Switzerland during fall break of 2009 and the following week, Oct. 10-24, 2009. This will be over the October break but will also mean the students will miss one week of school..
Then in the spring of 2010, Scottsdale students will be prepared to host their Swiss partners in their homes for the first two weeks. Students will spend several days at the high school of the hosting student, one day shadowing their hosting student and one day attending elective classes of their choice. The Swiss students will also spend at least one day presenting to classes at Saguaro High. The rest of their time is spent absorbing American culture, practicing their English, taking a three day trip to Northern Arizona including the Grand Canyon, a few group activities in Scottsdale and Phoenix, and family activities.