FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - General

Can I take part in the exchange if I go to a private school?

Yes, you can. As students are not to be charged for tuition as per the exchange agreement, your school will have to agree to waive tuition fees or failing that, you will have to meet the extra tuition costs for your Swiss student.

Can I take part in the exchange if I am a boarder?

It may be possible to take part in the exchange if you are a boarder, but you will have to clear it with your school first as Swiss students are not to be charged for tuition or accommodation.

How will I be matched to my Swiss host brother/sister?

The Swiss exchange organisation ARPEL has responsibility for matching your profile to a suitable Swiss student. They look carefully at your interests and wishes and have decades of experience in matching exchange students in many countries.

Can I ask for a different host sister/brother if I don’t like their profile?

Upon being given your host sibling’s profile, you will be asked whether you agree to the match, Remember, you do not have to be best friends or a perfect match with your host sibling/family, although many of our students have gone on to build lifelong friendships with their host families. Hosting/living with people that may be different from what you are used to is part of the exchange experience and our students are expected to be flexible and adaptable, within reason. If you feel that there is a genuine reason the match might not work, we prefer that you let us know at an early stage, and we will try our best to offer a different match, although if numbers are limited, this may not always be possible.

What happens if I don’t get on with my host sibling once they’re in New Zealand, or my host family in Switzerland?

Any issues should first be discussed with your family, and your French teacher, Dean or guidance counsellor at school may also be able to help. The exchange organisers are always available to help with any issues and will liaise with the Swiss organisation if necessary. Very rarely and in exceptional circumstances, a student will have to change host families halfway through the exchange. The exchange organisations will arrange this, but note that if the fault is with the student/host family they may be asked to meet extra accommodation costs.

Will there be other New Zealand students in my Swiss town/school?

Possibly not. Sometimes two New Zealand students will attend the same Swiss school, but often you will be the only Kiwi in attendance, although you will probably find that other international students attend the school. A great way to have to use your French and make friends from around the world!