My Story

“Travelling to a different country can be very scary and intimidating. However, my experience in Switzerland was nothing like that. I am originally from Canada and teacher candidate at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver.

Switzerland is known for its unique school system, and therefore I was really interested in learning more and taking part in the community field experience with the Swiss School system. My goal was to gain a new perspective on the pedagogical practices at the primary, middle levels. As a teacher candidate at the University of British Columbia, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Zurich University of Teacher Education exchange program for several weeks.

Initially, I was nervous and anxious coming into Zurich. However, as soon as I landed, I realized I was in good hands. Not only was I set up with an amazing homestay, but the welcoming I received from PH Zurich is unforgettable. The kind hospitality and family like culture is something I really appreciated very much. I was sent to a great school located in the hub of Zurich and had an amazing school associate. She made sure I felt comfortable and was very open to any ideas I had on prospective lessons to implement with the class. The colleagues from PH Zurich International Office were also very understanding. They provided us with all the resources, myself and the other teacher candidates from UBC may have needed. I felt part of the Zurich family. The program itself was well organized.

The overall culture here is very welcoming and this is definitely one of the highlights of this country along with the breathtaking views. Overall, my experience at PH Zurich has been amazing and the perspectives I have gained are invaluable.

To this day, I still think about the amazing experience I had the privilege to be a part of. The people in Zurich, Switzerland are really like no other. The memories I have made with my homestay and other associates are everlasting and I cannot help but feel thankful that this was possible; I have to thank the generosity of PH Zurich and all others that made it happen.”

© PHZH