Gap Year Programs in Switzerland

Switzerland is located in Western Europe, bordered by Italy, Austria, France, Germany, and Liechtenstein. The geography is dominated by three main regions: The Swiss Alps (the largest mountainous region to the south), the Jura mountains to the north, and in between, the Central Plateau where most of the Swiss population calls home. 

Switzerland is known for its alpine geography and climate, but the country is, in fact, quite varied. The Central Plateau experiences more moderate temperatures than the neighboring mountainous regions, and pockets that share a border with Italy even enjoy a Mediterranean climate. Due to Switzerland’s central location and impressive transportation infrastructure, getting around the country and abroad is highly efficient. 

Bern. According to the Swiss constitution, there is no official capital of Switzerland. However, Bern is considered the de facto federal city based on that most of the federal buildings are located here. Bern’s medieval town center, located on a U-shaped bend in the Aare river, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bern’s 140,000 residents have access to rafting the Aare river in the summer, alpine pursuits in the winter, and free city bike rentals, which are just a few reasons why Bern consistently ranks as a top place to live. 

Geneva. The second most populous and largest French-speaking city in Switzerland, Geneva is truly a global community. More international organizations are based here than any other city in the world, making Geneva the worldwide epicenter of diplomacy. Situated on Lake Geneva, and surrounded by the Jura Mountains, unlimited outdoor activities are available year round. 

Zurich. With a metropolitan area of 1.8 million residents, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the major transportation hub for the country. Located on Lake Zurich, this environmentally-conscious city consistently tops the list of cities offering the highest quality of living. Zurich is also a major European financial center of Europe as many international businesses have headquarters here.