You have signed up for one of this summer’s youth camps run by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. What are your thoughts? And what do you want to get out of your trip to Switzerland? Here are some of the answers you gave us.
Why did you choose to go on one of this summer’s camps in the first place? This year’s participants gave us a variety of answers. One of our respondents, Luna, has good memories of her last camp. “My first camp was the Swiss Trip 2022. I enjoyed it so much that I just had to go on a youth camp as well,” she says. Charles-Antoine, meanwhile, has his own future plans in mind: “The camp I chose gives me the chance take part in the 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad, which is a key event for me ahead of my degree course in politics.” For Aurelio and Sanja, on the other hand, the camp dates, the travel route and the number of participants were the main considerations.
How did participants feel when they heard they had been accepted? Aurelio, for one, was delighted. “I couldn’t sleep for a few nights,” he says. “We only have 24 participants in our Swiss Challenge 1 camp, which is perfect. I am looking forward to getting to know the culture and languages of my native country. It’s really exciting.” Luna was just as euphoric: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity. And so happy and relieved that my friends will also be at the camp with me!”
And finally, what expectations, experiences or thoughts do they want to share with future camp participants? Here are a few examples from our mixed bag of answers. “It’s about immersing yourself in Switzerland’s culture and language. I now want to continue learning French and also start learning Italian.” – “I would like to learn how to cook a traditional Swiss dish so that I can make it for my friends in Thailand.” – “I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity and can hardly wait to go! À bientôt!” We’ll leave the last word to Charles-Antoine: “I cannot stress enough how important it is to meet people from other cultures and explore your own country. Taking part in a camp like this offers us a valuable opportunity to celebrate our Swiss identity while widening our horizons and developing a deeper appreciation of our country’s rich heritage and cultural diversity. The experience promises to be both enriching and unforgettable.”
Youth Service of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad,
Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland
youth@swisscommunity.org
Telephone +41 31 356 61 25
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