Colombia is the fourth most populous country in South America. Its population of 36.2 million lives in a varied area of rainforest, mountains, and lowlands. The capital of Bogota has 5 million residents. Colombia is a republic. Its government consists of executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The president is elected every four years and cannot serve more than one term. The most popular political parties are the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the National Salvation Movement, and the New Democratic Force. The temperature of Colombia varies little throughout the year due to its proximity to the equator. Temperature does vary by altitude and Colombia has a great variety of that. Seasons tend to be divided into wet and dry. The official language of Colombia is Spanish and everyone speaks it, except for a few remote tribes.

School: The Colombian school system is very rigorous. Students work hard if they want to succeed. The grading system has recently changed from a system based on a numerical scale to a lettered system. Students are now graded based on whether they satisfactorily complete required coursework for the year. If they pass, they get an E for excellence or a B for good. Education is becoming a more important concern. Students generally attend seven or eight years of elementary school and then six of secondary school. This is the most true for upper and middle class students, however. Poor students typically do not complete their education. The literacy rate is about 80%. Class size is 40 to 50 students. Unlike American students, Colombian students cannot choose their courses. The school day is 7 to 8 hours. Students then study for a couple of hours at home.

Teenagers: Teenagers in Colombia enjoy many of the same activities as American teens. They go dancing, hang out, go to concerts, watch films, dine out, and attend sporting events. Popular sports include soccer (of course your student will know it as 'futbol'), skating, volleyball, and cycling. They dress casually, but like to wear clothes by famous name designers. They are fashion conscious.

Teenagers begin to date when they are 14 or 15 years old. Parents like teens spend time at their houses so they get to know their children's friends. Interaction between sexes is restricted. This is starting to change, however, as parents begin to accept friendships between students of different sexes.

Community: Colombians tend to watch 2-3 hours of television per day. The most popular programs are American TV shows, which can lead to some misconceptions about what a ëtypical' American family is like. Typical business hours are 8-5 or 9-6.

The Family: The family is very important in Colombian society. Most families have two or three children.

In Bogota, 96% of families have both parents working. The rest of the cities have a lower percentage and most women stay at home. Because Colombia is a strongly Catholic country, divorce is not allowed. Couples separate instead. Younger generations are more open-minded about separation than older generations.

This land is varied, with each area well suited to a particular activity. The north's extensive forests and thousands of post-glacial lakes are great for hiking and watersports. Central Poland is the main agricultural area and is watered by Poland's longest river, the Vistula. To the south, one finds the mountains, including the Sudeten and the Carpathian Mountains. These are popular for hiking and skiing.

Poland's population of 38.5 million is primarily Polish. About 2% of the population is made up of other ethnic groups, including Ukrainians and Belorussians. The capital, Warsaw, is home to 1.75 million Poles. The official language is Polish. The Polish government is a parliamentary democracy. Members of the government are popularly elected. The prime minister acts as head of the government, while the president serves as head of the state. The legislature is the bicameral National Assembly.

Schools:

Education is free in Poland, all children are required 8 years of schooling. After that, they may pursue one of two secondary school tracks: college preparatory or vocational. This school system is more formal than the U.S.

Teenagers:

Polish teens are very much like American teens, like doing the same things. Like going out with friends and playing sports. The dress is similar to ours too, jeans and hoodies. They might dress a little more formally than we do.

Community:

Roman Catholicism is very important in Poland. 95 of the population are followers. Smaller amounts of people follow the Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish faiths. Catholic churches are crowded on Sundays, and Christian celebrations are very festive and significant.

Business hours vary by type. Food stores are often open longer hours, such as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Banks are open from 8 a.m. until noon on weekdays and shorter hours on Saturdays. Most stores do not open on Sundays. Public transport is pretty simple and inexpensive in Poland.

Family:

Family is what matters most to the Polish culture. The average family is 1-2 children In many cases, both parents work. In urban areas, women work outside the home. In agricultural areas, women are very active in running the farms. Women manage about 20% of Polish farms.

Consequently, your student may be accustomed to helping out around the house and taking care of him/herself. Explain your expectations and show your students how to use your cleaning supplies and machines. A simple thing like a washer and the type of soap it uses can vary dramatically from country to country.

Children live at home until they go away to school for college, get a job, or marry.

Country Overview:

Denmark is located north of Germany, and west of Sweden. Being it's located north it has a colder climate but the Gulf Streams warm it up a little bit. Their population is around 5.2 million, and the currency they use is Krone. They have a strong economy even though they don't have many naural resources but are self-suffifient in oil and gas.

School:

They have a large education system and only require 9 years. Universites are fre to go to but admission is competitve, about 1/3 of high school graduates go on to college.

Teenagers:

Most get together with friends after school to do sports, music ot non-religious youth groups and they usually have part-time jobs. Parents give the freedom and resonsibility to prepare them. They also dress like U.S. citizens, jeans and t-shirts.

Community:

They have two national tv channels and 10-15 cable stations the are in english, german, spanish and norwegian, they watch about 2-6 hours per week. Business hours are from 9am to 5pm and most places are closed on sundays.

Family:

The average home has 1.7 kids, and both parents work. After finishing high school most people will move out at age 18-20. They can retire at 60 any can recieve old-age pension at 65 and older. Thye try to keep elderly in their homes so only a small percantage are in nursing homes.

Poland is a squareish shaped country in eastern Europe. It was a part of the USSR for most of the 20th century, but it has shaped a new path for itself rooted in its traditions and the demands of modernity. The main language of Poland is Polish with regional and other ethnic dialogues also spoken. The government runs with a parliamentary democracy, with a prime minister, a president, and a Bicameral National Assembly. Poles eat lots of meat, potatoes, and dumplings with vegetables playing very minor roles. Polish currency is called a Zloty.

School:

School is very important. Students must take 8 years of school, then they have 2 options for secondary education: college preparatory and vocational. Polish schools are more formal than American schools. Education is also free in Polish schools.

Teenagers:

Polish teens enjoy a lot of the same things as American teens such as dancing, playing sports, and watching movies. They dress similarly to American children but more formally. Teens generally go in groups and dating starts around age 15 to 16.

Community:

Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Poland with about 95% of the population following it. Stores are open roughly 12 hours a day, while banks are open usually from 8 am to noon. most businesses are not open on Sundays. Public transport is easy and cheap.

Family:

Family is the center of Polish social life with immediate and extended family looking after each other. The average family has 1-2 children although that has been dropping. Children are taught to be independent but also respectful. Both parents usually work, with 20% of farms in Poland being run by women. Children live at home until they leave for college, get a job, or marry.

Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering 3,300,171 square miles. It has a population of 167,660,687. The official language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. In Portuguese the country's name is Brasil. The capital of Brazil is called Brasilia. Their currency is called real. One real is only about 20 US cents. Brazil's chief executive is the President, who serves one, four-year term. Brazil's judicial branch consists of the Brazilian National Congress, an 81-member senate, each elected to 8-year terms, and the 513-member Chamber of Deputies, who serve 4-year terms. In Brazil, you can vote at the age of 16 and are obliged to do so from 18 years and up. Brazil is known for its diverse regions. The North is famous for the Amazon Rainforest. The majority of Brazil's population is located in the Southeast.

School:

Brazilś's education is free and required by law or rule. Most children begin preschool by the age of 3 or 4 and then go into kindergarten by 5 or 6. They finish their primary education by 15 or 16 then go on to do 3 years of high school. popular sports for teens are soccer, volleyball, handball, and swimming. A typical high school day in Brazil begins at 7:15 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Students generally have 6 classes per day. They study 14 different subjects and have between 200- 220 days of school per year. The long vacation is in December and January.

Teens:

Brazilian schools don't normally offer team sports. Teens interested in playing sports usually join community sports clubs. Schools also for the most part don´t offer musical classes so teens interested in playing instruments have to take private lessons. Teens all over the world wear jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers, and Brazilians are no exception. The age for getting a driver's license is 18. Teenagers in Brazil generally stay out later and enjoy a bit more freedom than teens in the U.S.

Community:

Business hours can change but most stores are open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recycling is not as common as it is in the U.S. but it is starting to become more popular. It is not common for teens to be involved with volunteer and civic activities.
Family, It is fairly common for both parents to work outside the home. Live-in maid service is common in Brazil. Often a family will have more than one live-in maid. Daily maids and weekly or monthly maid services are also common.

Family:

Brazilian families tend to be very close-knit. An average family has 2 to 3 children. Dogs, cats, and birds are the most popular pets. Most Brazilian teenagers continue to live with their parents after they graduate from high school and often remain in their parent's home until they marry. Family gatherings occur quite often in Brazil.

The Netherlands has a population of 15.5 million people in 16,033 square miles. The Netherlands's unofficial name is Holland. Holland is the 2 most populated provinces. The official language of The Netherlands is Dutch however many people speak English, French, and/or German. The unit of currency is the Euro. About 1/2 of the country is below sea level which causes them to heavily rely on water blockage systems like dams. The Netherlands government is a constitutional monarch with a Queen and a prime minister. The Netherlands parliament is composed of 2 chambers, one having 75 members with 4-year terms and the other having 15 members and 4-year terms. The Netherlands is in a leading role in the EU. The Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe. The meals in the Netherlands are usually light and emphasize dairy products.

School-

School is completely free and required from the ages of 5-16. Although most kids will attend preschool at the age of 4. At the age of 12, the kids get to decide whether they want to have a 4 or 5-year high school or have a 6-year pre-university program as well as a vocational education.

Most kids who attend vocational and high school will on to an apprenticeship due to only the top students going to university. Many Dutch find their schools harder than American schools.

Family/teenager-

Most teenagers will play a sport. The average age for a person to start dating is 14-16. Younger teens have a curfew but most older teens do not. Most parents work outside the home. The average number of kids is 2 with pets and they will stay with their parents after high school.

Holidays-

The Netherlands celebrates their Queen's birthday on April 30th with parades and festivals. They also celebrate St. Nicholes's Day on the 5th and 6th of December. On this day, Sinterklaas brings gifts to the good kids as well as exchanging gifts. as a family. The gifts have funny poems and are often hidden. The Netherlands celebrates Christmas on the 25th and 26th of December, however, they don't give gifts they just hang out with family.

The Italian Republic is a peninsula home to 57 million people. It is bordered on two sides by the Adriatic, Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas. The official language is Italian and their currency is Euro. Italy is a republic led by a prime minister and a president. It has been dubbed the world's 'living art gallery' and it currently boasts ornate marble floors, Roman ruins, Byzantine mosaics, baroque tombs, and more. The cuisine almost always centers around pasta. Italy produces one fifth of the world's wine, which is more than any other country. A typical breakfast is bread and butter or cheese with cafe ole, coffee with milk. Lunch is the most important meal of the day that most shops and businesses close for about two hours at mid-day, and many people go home to eat with their families and rest after lunch.

School:

Education goes from 6 - 14, including 5 years of primary and 3 years of lower secondary education. The school year starts in mid-September and runs until the end of June. Students attend secondary school for 5 hours a day, Monday - Saturday. Upper secondary education is available for people ages 14 - 19 years, which the schools are divided into categories which are classical and scientific artistic, technical or vocational.

Teenagers:

Italian teenagers are similar to those in the U.S. Sports are very popular, the favorite being soccer, or football as it is called in Italy. Teens start dating in groups when they are 13-14 years old. They rarely own their own cars as scooters and small motorcycles are more common than cars among teenagers. It is not uncommon for teenagers to drink a little wine with meals, along with the rest of the family, but they generally don't drink with the intent of getting drunk.

Community:

Cable television is available, but it is expensive that some people do not have it. Typical business hours in Italy are 8am - 12pm and then 2pm - 7pm. Families in Italy will often share one car. Scooters and motorcycles are common modes of individual transportation. Homes in Italy often have marble floors rather than carpets. One appliance rarely seen in America occupies many Italian bathrooms, which is the bidet.

The Family:

It is not uncommon for both parents to work, but women and youth have been hardest hit by recent rises in unemployment. Many mothers choose not to work full time in order to have more time to parent. Families have an average of two children. Dogs and birds are popular pets. Students will often live at home until they finish college or marry, at age 23 or so.

Germany is home to over 81 million people. It is surrounded by Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Germany is split up into 6 provinces. The most popular language is German. Germany doesn't have a president, but they do have a chancellor, which is the head of the government. Men over the age of 18 are required to serve in the military for at least 1 year. Voting starts at the age of 18. Germany is still seen as a country of reunification because of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which symbolized the end of the Cold War. Some things that Germany is known for include chocolate, cars, sauerkraut, cuckoo clocks, and musicians(Beethoven, Bach).

School

In Germany it isn't a requirement for 5-6 year old to go to kindergarten. Over 90% do go, but it isn't mandatory. Schooling starts out in Primary school(4 years) and then Secondary education(3 years). After that students can decide which school out of 3 they want to go to. The 3 different school are the Hauptschule(5 years), Realschule(6 years), and the Gymnasium(9 years). Band and sports are not considered a part of school activities, instead those students are part of community based clubs

Teenagers

Teens clothing styles are very similar to other countries, sweaters, jeans, t-shirts, etc. At the age of 13 teens start dating in groups. they go to movies, shopping, etc. When they get to the age of 16 they begin a more serious relationship. If teens want their drivers license they have to take a very expensive drivers ed course($470-$870). Most teens don't own their own cars, instead they share cars or use public transportation. Teens tend to have more freedom when it comes to curfew time at night. The legal drinking age is 16, but you can't have hard liquor till your 18. If you get caught drinking and driving in Germany you will have many consequences. Some include jail time, suspended license, or a fine.

Community

Business hours in Germany are 8-6:30, Monday-Friday, 9-1:30 on Saturdays, and then everything is closed on Sunday. Germany has a really great transportation system, but many people have their own cars. Recycling is a big practice in Germany. They recycle glass, paper, and cans. People also bring their own reusable bags to the grocery store because they will charge you for each plastic bag you take.

Family

In Germany many mothers don't work or work part time to raise their children. Mothers who have just had children are allowed to take a year off to raise that child. The average family consists of 2 kids. Popular pets people have include dogs, cats, and birds. It is very unusual for grandparents to live with family members. Many families in Germany are Christian. German families celebrate all the similar holidays as American's.

France is the 3rd largest country in Europe, and ranks 4th for economic power in the world. The currency unit they use is called an Euro. Also, they are a republic who have a president that serves for 7 years. France is divided into 96 regions and departments. Their official language is French, but they have many different dialects like the English language. They have left marks on gastronomy, arts, politics, fashion, and science. They are the number one tourist attraction location due to the Eiffel tower and other monuments. The diet of France is fresh vegetables, meat or fish, bread, cheese, wine, and fruit.

School:

Children attend pre-school, and after that they attend primary school til the age of 11. School is mandatory for students til they are 16 years. Also the students have to treat the teachers with respect because the teachers are not their friends. Roughly every night students spend 2 to 3 hours studying, and they have to take this big difficult exam called the Baccalaureat. Half of the students in France attend universities after high school. Students will be happy enough if they get straight C's, and if someone has B's they are considered really smart.

Teenagers:

French teenagers are very cautious about what they wear, but they tend to wear Levis, t-shirts, sweaters, and sneakers. Most teenagers do sports like soccer, rugby, and tennis. Teens start dating at the age of 15 to 16 and go out in big groups. The drinking age in France is 16 and the age to get a drivers license is 18.

Community:

There are only 6-10 TV stations, and only some people can afford it because it is very expensive and houses have to buy an antenna. Teenagers watch an average of 1-2 hours of TV daily. The typical business hours for French stores are 8 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday, and Sundays stores are closed. The government is trying to make people use more public transportation to get to places, and they dont care about recycling as much as the USA.

Family:

The average family consist of 2-3 kids per household, and both parents tend to work. One-third of marriages typically end in divorce. Pets are very recognized in French houses, mainly cats and dogs. Only wealthy people will have maids.

Customs:

Greetings will vary based on who the person is and how long someone has known that person. When meeting someone new they will shake hands, but if it is a man greeting a man they will do a handshake, and a man meeting a woman they will do a handshake and kiss on the cheek, and if it is a woman and a woman they will kiss on the cheek. It is impolite to eat without using a knife in France, and people must hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. 90% of people are Catholic, but only 10% do service for religion daily. The most popular things to do in France are watch sports, socialize with friends, going to dance clubs, and seeing movies. Bastille is a very important holiday in France that happens on July 14th. That holiday consists of military parades, dances, and huge firework displays. Some other important holidays are May day on may 1st which is giving lily of the valley to friends for good luck, and a celebration of the signing for armistice for WW1 and WW11.

Covering an area of 195,364 square miles on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is also known as España. Situated in the southwestern region of Europe it borders France to the north and Portugal to the West. Spain and Morocco are separated in North Africa by the Narrow Strait of Gibraltar. Spanish or Spaniards make up the population of Spain; they are separated into Castilians, Catalans, Galatians and Basques based on their ethnicity. The native tongues of the Catalans, Galatians and Basques all survive today, despite Castilian Spanish being the official language of Spain. Their Spanish currency is the Euro before that was the Peseta.

School:

Either free public schools, private schools with government funding, or private schools are attended by Spanish students.

Students attend primary school from ages 6 to 12 and secondary school from ages 12 to 16. After that, students have to choose between going to a university and a vocational school. Before choosing a university, candidates must pass the Bachillerato, which they study for between the ages of 16 and 18. Upper-level vocational schools that provide programs in engineering, architecture, and related fields also require the Bachillerato.

Teenagers:

Teens in Spain like going to the cinema, cafes, and dance clubs as their leisure activities. They interact socially in big groups a lot. Basketball and soccer are the most popular sports to participate in.

Although Spanish teenagers are typically quite fashion savvy, they typically dress like any other teens—in jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. Around the age of 13, Spanish teenagers frequently begin dating in groups. A few years later, serious dating starts. Parents may not always be comfortable with the open discussion of sex, birth control, and AIDS that occurs among friends and in the media.

Every family has a different curfew, but on weekdays, most teenagers must return home by 11 p.m.; on weekends, they are free to stay out longer. In Spain, 16 is the legal drinking and smoking age. Before then, most teenagers start drinking. Among teenagers in Spain, smoking is increasingly common. Although Spanish youth can obtain a driver's license at the age of 18, owning a car is generally out of reach due to the country's strong public transportation system and high car maintenance costs.

Community:

Regular business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Although not many people now use the time to sleep, the extended break provides an opportunity for the main meal of the day as well as a nap. The largest meal of the day is lunch, which is often consumed at 2:00 p.m. the majority of individuals eat dinner at around 10:00 p.m. after having a snack at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. it is substantially smaller at dinner. Recycling is becoming more common in Spain, but is not as common as it is in the United States. Most Spanish homes are Immaculate and well-kept. Public transit is popular and inexpensive. In addition, people walk and drive their own cars. 

The Family:

Many Urban families have two working parents. The typical family has two kids, and many also own a dog or a cat as a pet. all the divorce does happen, strong family togetherness is cherished and Spain. After high school and even well into their twenties most students, especially those who attend universities live with their parents. Students find it extremely difficult to gain admission to the universities  outside of their area because local students are always given preference in Spain. Maids work for many homes; it is not expected of many Spanish teenagers to assist with chores. So do elderly parents reside with their grown-up children; most are either retired or live alone nevertheless the majority of families maintain tight ties with their extended family and frequently, the entire family will get together on Sundays and holidays. 

Russia is a very big country that has a total population of 150 million. Russia is a very big country which is why they have many different geographical areas such as Mountain ranges, grasslands, forests, etc. The temperatures are mostly colder and sometimes humid, most of Russia only gets a couple of months of summer. Russia is often viewed as a corrupt country that has problems of poverty, crime, and food shortages. Although they do struggle with these problems Russia has a lot more to offer when it comes to their culture. Russians tend to enjoy recreational activities such as Soccer, Volleyball, Chess, and many more. Russia is also known for having some very good Ballet dancers and some great composers in the likes of; Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, and Stravinsky. Russians typically consume high protein based foods such as meats and potatoes, they also enjoy alcoholic beverages and concoctions such as Vodka and Rye bread water.

School

Education is very important to Russia as they expect every single student to attend school from age 7 to 18 and then highly encouraged to continue on to university. Most students care a lot about their education as they study at least three to four hours every night after school.

Teenagers

Teenagers dress a lot like american teens and also enjoy the same activities that we do. Some actives they partake in are; soccer, badminton, karate, chess. While at school Russian teens tend to present a more formal wear tight wear.

Community

In Russia the media is a little bit different but sometimes they enjoy consuming Western programs and movies. In Russia most people tend to commute through public transportation as being able to afford a vehicle is considered an additional expense most people can't afford.

Family

Most families in Russia are very small with some couples choosing to only have one or on rare occasions two kids. To make up for this families tend to have pets around the house to keep it a little bit more lively. Grandparents have a big role in the care taking and development of the kids of the house.

Country Overview
The Federal Republic of Switzerland occupies 41,295 square kilometers in the heart of Europe. It is bordered by France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Italy.

Because of its location, Switzerland has three official languages. Its 7 million residents speak German (74%), French (20%), and Italian (4%). A small minority (1%) speak an ancient native language called Romansch.

People from Switzerland are Swiss.

Switzerland is divided into 26 states, or Cantons. It is a republic; its people vote for representatives, and hold referendums on important issues.

Switzerland is governed by a 7-member Federal Council or Bundesrat, and a Federal Assembly.

The Federal Assembly has two houses. These is a 46-member Council of States called the Ständrat, and a 200-member National Council called the Nationalrat.

The Federal Assembly elects a president from the Federal Council who serves a one-year term.

Switzerland's capital is Bern, however Zurich is its most populous city. The Swiss Franc is the chief unit of currency.

Switzerland is famous for the Alps, which run through the central and southern areas of the country. The smaller Jura mountains take up the northeast border with France. The Bernese Mittelland is an area of hills, rivers, and valleys, which runs between the two mountain ranges. Most Swiss live in this area.

Because of its mountainous terrain, Switzerland experiences regional microclimates, but generally has moderate weather in the lowlands and snow in the mountains.

Switzerland is known for dependability, fine craftsmanship, and neutrality.

Famous Swiss products are cheese, chocolate, watches and clocks.

Confidentiality and reliability in Swiss banking have made Switzerland the world's leading banking center.

Switzerland has remained a neutral country for centuries, and that has given the country the privilege of being the sight for many political meetings.

Over 200 international organizations are headquartered in Switzerland, mostly in Geneva. Among these are the Red Cross and the World Health Organization. It is no wonder that Switzerland has the highest number of Nobel Prizes per capita than any other country in the world.

Switzerland has a thriving economy, and its citizens enjoy the highest standard of living in Europe, if not the world.

Though neutral, Switzerland maintains a military force. All men must train for 5 months at age 19, and then for 1-3 weeks each year until they turn 45.

Women have the option of serving. Switzerland does not have an army, instead those serving keep uniforms, weapons, and equipment in their homes, so an army could be mobilized within 48 hours.

Famous Swiss artists are Paul Klee and Jean-Luc Godard. Many artists and writers from other countries made their homes in Switzerland. They include Voltaire, Byron, Shelley, Joyce, Hesse, Charlie Chaplin and Tina Turner.

Yodeling, the Alp horn, and Swiss wrestling are all products of Swiss folk culture.

A typical Swiss diet includes a variety of meat, fresh vegetables, bread, pasta, cheese and other dairy products.

Traditional Swiss cooking has strong French, Italian, and German influences. The most famous Swiss dish is fondue, cubed bread dipped in a mixture of melted Gruyere and Emmentaler cheeses and white wine.

School
The Swiss school system is very rigorous. Students normally have 6 to 8 classes per day, followed by another 2 hours of homework. Homework is often not counted in the final grade.

A typical class size is about 20 students. Students and teachers usually have a good relationship, based on respect.

When Swiss students change classes, the whole class stays together. Swiss students meet fewer of their peers than American students, but often develop very close friendships as the same students will stay together for years.

Swiss children attend pre-school at age four, then proceed to 6 years of primary school. After primary school, they enter secondary school (high school). There are three levels of secondary school; students are placed based on their academic achievements.

After secondary school, students may work, find an apprenticeship, or attend a specialized (business, engineering, etc.) school. Only students who have attended the Gymnasium, the highest level of secondary school, can apply to university.
Swiss universities have very difficult entrance exams and requirements so, 20-30% of students attend.

Teenagers
Most Swiss teens participate in sports clubs and play musical instruments. Music classes are often required during the first seven years of school. The most popular instruments are piano and guitar. The most popular sports are soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, and skiing.

Teenagers around the world dress similarly -- Swiss teens wear jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. Swiss teens start dating around the age of 14. Dating in Switzerland is very similar to dating in the U.S.

Sex, birth control, and AIDS are openly discussed among Swiss teenagers. Sex education takes place in school, as well as through printed ads and other media.

Curfews vary from family to family. Most Swiss teens have an early curfew on weeknights, but on weekends are allowed to stay out later.

The drinking age in Switzerland is 18 for beverages containing more than 12% alcohol. For drinks with less than 12% alcohol, the age is 16. These laws are not strictly enforced, and many Swiss teens drink before they reach the legal age.

You must be 18 to drive a car in Switzerland. Most teens get a driver's license, but fewer than 5 have their own cars. Switzerland has an excellent public transportation system, and cars can be very expensive.

Community
Most Swiss families have cable TV and can receive 20-30 stations in German, French, and Italian. They also receive English-language networks like BBC and CNN.

Most Swiss teens watch 7-8 hours of television per week. It is generally thought that American teens watch more TV.

Typical business hours in Switzerland are Monday through Saturday, 8am to 5pm. Most places close for lunch from 12pm to 1pm and are closed on Sundays.

Recycling is very prevalent in Switzerland.

The Family A typical Swiss family has two children, and both parents work. The divorce rate is approximately 30%.

After high school, many students will continue to live with their parents. This depends on where the students choose to continue their education, and how well they are doing financially.
Except for in the mountain regions, it is uncommon for elderly people to live with their grown children.

Customs
When strangers in Switzerland meet for the first time, they usually exchange a handshake. Friends will exchange hugs and/or kisses, and men will shake hands. On the telephone, the common greeting is to say hello and introduce oneself.

The Swiss eat 'continental style', with the fork in the left hand, and the knife in the right. They actively use both utensils throughout the meal, and hands remain above the table. Meals are usually eaten with the whole family at the dinner table.

Standards of hygiene are the same as in the United States. Swiss people like things neat, tidy, and organized. It is common, however, to wear clothes more than once before they are washed.

Switzerland's population is 49% Catholic and 48% Protestant. Only about 10% of people, usually older people, attend church services regularly.

Some major holidays in Switzerland are:

National Day (August 1) -- very much like an American Fourth of July, complete with fireworks.

St. Nicholas' Day (December 6) -- children receive candy and gifts from St. Nicholas, the predecessor to our Santa Claus.

Sechseluten -- The parade of guilds in Zurich. The chiefs of each guild burn a snowman filled with explosives to determine how long and hot the summer will be.