First Hand Event: The Swiss Education System – Gymi or Lehre

Speaker:
Aïda Biscevic, Manager Career Counseling Institutional Clients, Stadt Zürich, Laufbahnzentrum, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung

Moderator:
Dr. Jess Jia, Secretary General of the Chinese Community in Switzerland (CHCCH), Founder of Sinova Solutions

Understanding the Swiss Education System: Multiple Paths to Success

In the Zurich area, 5th-grade students will soon face an important decision: whether to prepare for the academic-track long Gymnasium entrance exam or to pursue a more practical route through regular secondary school and an apprenticeship. It’s important to note that students who take the regular path still have the opportunity to enter Gymnasium later and eventually attend university. Likewise, those who begin with an apprenticeship can still return to academics and obtain a university degree later on.

Switzerland’s education system is known for its flexibility — a true “all roads lead to Rome” model — and society does not emphasize university as the only path to success.

Before making such a key decision, both parents and children need accurate, firsthand information to fully understand the Swiss education system and the diverse future options it offers. That’s why, just before the summer break, we have invited an education and career expert from the Swiss government to provide you with a comprehensive overview. Supported by the Cantonal Integration Program and the DIA Specialist Office of the City of Zurich.

Ms. Biscevic, Manager Career Counseling Institutional Clients, Stadt Zürich, (Laufbahnzentrum) will provide insights into Switzerland’s education system, focusing on the academic high school (Gymnasium, or Gymi) and the apprenticeship (Lehre) pathways. Presentation slides will be in English, with key terms also shown in German. Chinese translations will be directly integrated into the slides During the Q&A session.

Dr. Xiaodan Li, a senior principal investigator at the Paul Scherrer Institute, will share the educational journeys of her two sons, who took different paths within the Swiss system. In addition, two to three current students will speak about their experiences — one from a Gymnasium and others from the apprenticeship track.

The discussion will be held in English, with Chinese translation provided as needed. A small outdoor Apéro follows.