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Frequently asked questions
Accommodation questions
The main differences are the view and the room furnishings. Most deluxe rooms have a view of the lake (Montreux) or the Alps (Leysin) and are equipped with more modern furniture.
All rooms, standard and deluxe, include a bathroom equipped with toilet and shower.
We tend to put students of different nationalities and similar age together (+/- 2 years) if there aren’t any special requests made before the program starts. For groups, we usually accommodate students in double rooms together. Pairs will be made according to age and gender.
The rooms will be cleaned every week by the housekeeping department only if the room is not in a complete mess. Towels and bed linen will be changed. You are expected to keep your room tidy throughout your stay, up until when you leave. Our staff will ensure this is respected.
Most of the rooms have a safe. Pocket money, ID, and valuables may also be handed over to the reception team on arrival day. These items will be accessible on given times/days during the week.
We have free internet areas available. Should you take your own laptop or mobile device with you, you will be able to access internet in most parts of the building.
Towels and bed linen are provided. However, you should bring your own towel for outdoors swimming activities at the pool or lake.
Meals
Swiss Education Academy offers full board. This means it includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Weekends: Brunch and dinner.
All the meals are served buffet-style. Participants have the possibility to select what they want to eat among a large selection of dishes. Salads, desserts and drinks are also available. Should you have a food allergy, we ask you to inform us in advance.
Arrival / Departure
In general, our staff will be waiting at the airport before your plane lands. If you cannot find a Swiss Education Academy member of staff, you can call our emergency number, which will be sent to you before your trip.
Arrivals are on Sundays and departures on Saturdays. Unfortunately we do not book your trip from your home country to Switzerland for you. A travel agent or our local representative will be happy to help you.
There are parking spots available at the Swiss Education Academy campuses. For Montreux, you can find underground parkings available close to the train station or by the lake.
Please communicate your full flight details to us in writing no later than 2 weeks before your course start date, including:
Arrival:
- Airport of Departure
- Company and Flight number
- Arrival Date and Time in Geneva
Departure
- Airport of Destination
- Company and Flight Number
- Departure Date and Time from Geneva
If you have booked a UM (Unaccompanied Minor) service with the airline, this should be announced to the Swiss Education Academy office or to our local representative you have booked your course through.
Should you have booked an individual transfer to and from a course campus, a Swiss Education Academy representative will greet you at the arrival area, once you have passed through Customs. Our staff will be wearing Swiss Education Academy polo shirts, so keep an eye out for our logo!
Geneva Airport is about 1 hour from Montreux, 1 hours 15 minutes from Le Bouveret, and 1 hour 45 minutes from Leysin.
Excursions / Weekend Activities
You have to choose one activity package per week. Should you stay for more than one week, you can choose a different package for each week of your stay.
Visa and Insurance
Please note that you have to apply for your Visa in your country directly or via our local representative. We can provide you with a visa invitation letter if needed.
Only non EU nationals must take out a Swiss Health and Accident Insurance. EU nationals should carry a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) during their stay in Switzerland. Generally, in case of accident or sickness, costs are to be paid directly on site by the student. The EHIC or the Swiss Health and Accident Insurance will allow the student once returned to her/his country to be reimbursed by her/his own insurance.
Bookings / Payments
All payments need to be done via bank transfer. Please note that all prices are in Swiss Francs (CHF). All payments must be made in this currency only.
In Switzerland you normally need Swiss Francs. But you can usually also pay in Euros. Money can be changed at any bank branch.
The full amount should be paid 6 weeks before arrival. Should you receive your invoice less than 6 weeks before the starting date of the programme, please arrange full payment immediately. For overseas students, we advise you to pay all course cost in one payment so that additional bank charges can be avoided.
Should there be available places, it is possible to extend your stay. However, it is not guaranteed. We ask you to inform the reception as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary bookings.
The course fees include tuition, course material, accommodation in a double standard room (for deluxe, or single room, extra charge will apply), all meals as described, standard leisure programme in the afternoon and evening.
This depends on the change you want to make. We are ready to make the requested changes. However, additional costs may be charged. If you are uncertain about what is best for you, please contact us before enroling and we can advise you.
We advise you to book as early as possible to make sure that there are still available places.
Classes
Yes, if necessary, you can change levels after talking with your teacher.
To guarantee personalized attention to each student, our language and culinary classes include about 12 students and our hospitality and entrepreneurship classes about 20 students.
Various
In addition to the clothes we listed above you should take following things with you: toiletries, leisure clothing, towel, sports items and bathing suit, writing material, ID, personal medicine if needed, games. Please pack only necessary items and clothing.
Please note, students registrating for the SEA Business & Hospitality and Culinary must bring business attire.
It is possible to use the washing machines on campus.
Pre-paid cards can be arranged. The Swiss Education Academy staff will be there to provide assistance. The cost is approx. CHF 5.- per bag of clothes and CHF 5.- more if you want the dryer machine.
We recommend a minimum of CHF 50 / week (EUR 35) as pocket money for gifts, souvenirs, and snacks.
Visits of parents are welcome but should be communicated beforehand to the Swiss Education Academy head office or to the Swiss Education Academy campus.
Leysin
Our Leysin campus is in the mountains where the climate can be cooler, especially in the evenings where it can go down to 5 degrees. This means it is important to take long pants and a warm jacket with you as well as a raincoat, hiking shoes and sports shoes. Activities will be organized outside even in bad weather.
Montreux/Le Bouveret
Montreux and Le Bouveret are located on the shores of the Lake Geneva. The climate is warm and pleasant. However, please pack a raincoat and long pants in the event of bad weather.
