Switzerland 03 in the UK &Ireland 14 1 Swiss 3 100 years 8 Pfyn life in Swiss Forest in Belfast Air Force Chelsea Top Story StuDy oPtionS in SwitzeRlAnD The Swiss Embassy in London was Tuition fees in Switzerland are rela- transformed into a hub of learning tively low and there are opportunities excellence in May as educational for international students to receive experts from Switzerland met with cantonal grants. Although as Fiona more than 90 people, the majority Scheidegger, co-director of ‘educa- of whom were parents and their tionsuisse’ explained, accessing the teenage children from the expat money could be difficult and time- community, to discuss the opportu- consuming. “We have 26 Cantons nities for young people continuing with 26 different policies. Imagine you their education in Switzerland. want to study in Lausanne, but your canton of origin is Zurich.” Dr Lutz Berg, head of Science, Tech- nology and Higher Education at the Daniel Pedroletti Embassy, chaired the session. He began by setting out the main differ- audience, “and there are 400 well-paid English, students would have to be ence between the education systems careers to choose from.” fluent in a 2nd language. in the UK and Switzerland. “There is We don’t sell no vocational ‘gold standard’ in the “ However, Gutzwiller warned this route The bilingual element, especially the UK.” he said, “Two-thirds of young expensive courses was “not a walk in the park”. “You level of language ability required, people receive a vocational training are thrown into a professional life sparked a lively Q&A session following in Switzerland compared to one-third at 15.” he said, “There are no lie-ins the speeches. Further informal discus- in the UK, but only 30% of those or late nights with friends. You are sions continued late into the evening students do apprenticeships.” Educationsuisse helps international 3-and-a-half days at work and one over canapés and Swiss wine. students fill out the necessary forms day in the classroom.” With what appeared to be a reference and, in general, integrate smoothly to the high cost of some courses into this new system. Anders Hagstroem, Director of Global All presentations can be viewed outside of Switzerland, Dr Berg closed Educational Affairs of ETH Zurich was on the FOSSUK website his introduction by reassuring the Philipp Gutzwiller represented the the final member on the panel and www.swiss-societies.co.uk audience that Swiss courses were “business world” and had an obvious described the necessary require- good value for money. “International passion for vocational training. ments to study in Switzerland. It soon students are not a business.” he said, “Thousands of Swiss companies offer became clear that as there were only “We don’t sell expensive courses.” apprenticeships,” he told his attentive a small number of degree courses in Editorial Dear Education Readers, Swiss students get a taste of working life in Belfast In our previous issue, readers were company didn’t have the software I will make my own potato bread in Education is again on our minds in this introduced to a new and innova- needed. But I knew not to give up and Switzerland thinking about the good issue. We get a first-hand account of tive vocational training programme finished my placement with success. moments I had in Northern Ireland. working life in Northern Ireland for two between Switzerland and Northern CK: The landscape. Giant’s young learners from the Canton of Ireland (NI). Clélio Kaufmann and What was your greatest learning Causeway for example was very Vaud and educational specialists from João Rodrigues were two of this experience? interesting and beautiful. And of Zurich and Berne offer advice to those first group of young Swiss learners JR: The English of course! Working course, the people. Everybody I met interested in continuing their higher from the Canton of Vaud to take is a great way to learn fast, because was warm and friendly. education in Switzerland. advantage of this scheme in Belfast. talking is a must, not a want when you Here they described their experi- are in an office. I don’t think that would For football fans, there is no need to be ences and first impressions. have happened if I had chosen to go disheartened about not getting to Brazil to a British school. for the World Cup. If you are in London, Joao Rodrigues: I think they were CK: I increased my skills, am more there are several opportunities to cheer quite surprised by our ability level. If independent and have learned to on your team with fellow supporters. you want to succeed in your profes- solve problems in a different country sional life in the UK you have to go to and language. I am able to speak Manchester Swiss Club hosted this university. For us in Switzerland the confidently with people and work year’s FOSSUK AGM, so it seemed apprenticeship and the professional constructively in a team. only appropriate to invite their president, education are more important. Juerg Bentele, to conclude this issue Clélio Kaufmann: It was very What have you enjoyed most about with a fascinating historical account different, because in Switzerland I living in Ireland? of how the Swiss came to settle in was in a technical school and in NI it JR: The pubs! You don’t know Belfast the North West of England during the was only for work. In the beginning, until you’ve been to Kelly’s for the Irish Industrial Revolution. it was very difficult because the music. And I love the Ulster fry up! I Clélio relaxing the Irish way Andrew Littlejohn SR-Issue 03-14-R5.indd 1 22/05/2014 16:05 2 Switzerland in the UK&Ireland “There are still disparities in the treatment of binational Swiss” Congress of Swiss Abroad uK DelegAteS PRePARe FoR BADen Readers of this journal may have left Switzerland some time ago. Whether or not you plan to return there at some point, or indeed move on to another country, you are likely to have one thing in common: you want to be sure your government Are your Swiss travel offers a coherent and coordinated René Rötheli Personnel changes: documents valid? policy approach regarding the Please book your appointment for a rights of all Swiss citizens. There is a continuing need for Susanne Hemund, Consul and new passport and/or ID card in good information and exchange. In Head of the Regional Consular time, and ensure you arrive punctu- The discourse on migration continues. August, ASO delegates for the UK Centre London, left for Pakistan ally. Let us know in advance if you Should someone who has decided will attend the 92nd Congress of the to head the Chancellery at the need to cancel the appointment. to move abroad still receive support? Swiss Abroad in Baden. The Swiss Swiss Embassy in Islamabad. Her Recent bilateral agreements have Review will report on proceedings in successor Tiziano Pedrioli, Consul, Are you a Swiss done much to scaffold our interna- the next Regional Issue in October. arrives from Paris in June. resident in Ireland? tional mobility needs, which includes In the meantime, if you would like a The Regional Consular Centre in education and work prospects. question to be raised at this year’s Margrit Ledermann Prestofelippo, London is your point of contact international gathering, please contact Consul General, leaves in July to for all consular matters such as However, there are still disparities your UK-based representatives. take up the same functions at the travel documents, births, marriage in the treatment of binational Swiss Swiss Embassy in Buenos Aires. Her and death certificates, change of families regarding their rights in Swit- successor Hermann Aebischer, address, etc. zerland; challenges facing returners Gabrielle Hogan Brun Consul General, arrives from Berne in need of social benefits; problems [email protected] in August. www.eda.admin.ch/rcclondon with recognition of foreign diplomas; Franz Muheim [email protected] hurdles with new tax laws faced by [email protected] Tel. +44 (0)20 7616 6000 (option 2) Swiss bank customers living abroad. Alexandre Tissot What is more, with ongoing consulate [email protected] closures around the world it will Margrit Lyster become more difficult for some to [email protected] obtain the support they need. Celebrate Swiss National Day S SWISS RESTAURANT LTD t t . n M ra at University College London or au itz Rest on Saturday 19 July 2014 from 4 pm till late St Moritz restaurant is located in the This year’s attractions will feature: heart of London at: Music, food and beer from the cantons of Saint-Gallen and Appenzell 161 Wardour Street The Giggle Doctors London W1F 8WJ Special activities for children Music to dance the night away Tel: 0207 734 3324 And much more Booking only by telephone Join the Swiss community and friends of Switzerland and www.stmoritz-restaurant.co.uk enjoy traditional Swiss food and wine. St. Moritz is open: All are welcome. Monday to Friday: 12 noon to 3pm For further information visit www.swissnationalday.co.uk 6pm to 11:30pm Swiss National Day London Saturday: 12 noon to 11:30pm c/o Embassy of Switzerland Sunday: 12 noon to 10:30pm 16 – 18 Montagu Place London W1H 2BQ Importer of Swiss Wines and Appenzeller Beers SR-Issue 03-14-R5.indd 2 22/05/2014 16:06 “There are even a number of joint flypasts planned” Switzerland in the UK&Ireland 3 FeaturTBC e SwiSS Show oFF theiR AiR Fleet The Red Arrows won’t be the only This year’s Royal International Air aerobatic display team celebrating Tattoo will feature more than 200 100 years Swiss Air Force an aviation landmark at this aircraft from around the globe and a Back in Switzerland, celebrations summer’s Royal International Air seven-and-a-half hour flying display.