On July 9, 2025, the Chinese community in Switzerland, with the support of the Kantonales Integrationsprogramm, the Fachstelle DIA der Stadt Zürich, and the Zurich Career Center, hosted a First Hand Event on the Swiss education system: “Gymi or Lehre?” successfully.
Around 30 participants—mostly Chinese and Swiss parents from diverse professional backgrounds—came together, united by their shared role as parents.
The evening was moderated by Dr. Jess Jia, Secretary General of the Chinese community and mother of two young girls. To open the discussion, she shared results from an online survey showing that 9 out of 10 participants strongly hoped their children would attend Gymi.
Expert input was provided by Aïda Biscevic from the Zurich Career Center, who explained the complexity of Zurich’s educational pathways and options.
A panel discussion followed, featuring:
- Dr. Li Xiaodan, parent representative, whose two sons chose different tracks and are both thriving.
- Ava Rabian, a 9th-grade Gymi student.
- Elijon Berisha, a vocational track engineering student who later returned to ETH at age 23.x
The extended Q&A session allowed parents to explore their questions in depth, and conversations continued during the Apéro at Wesley’s Kitchen.
During the break, participants also joined an Info Center tour, gaining practical insights into the resources and support available for families navigating the Swiss education system.
Thanks to the support of the City of Zurich, the event not only provided clarity on the Swiss education system but also offered networking and even some laughter for the many stressed parents.
The event was praised by participants as a high-quality and valuable exchange. Parents expressed their satisfaction, noting that the combination of expert insights, personal experiences, and open discussion made the evening both informative and encouraging. All left the event not only better informed but also reassured and optimistic about their children’s educational journeys.
