Switzerland Lyce Franais de Zurich Exchange 2015

Packing and Preparation Information

Departure date: Wednesday, March 11th 2015 at the airport : 11AM
Return date: Wednesday March 25rd 2015
Below you will find information about:
Money
Gifts
Luggage
Contact information
Packing tips
Shopping
If you plan expensive gifts, please check prices here before you go. It is
sometimes possible to find cheaper prices in the Canada or the U.S.
Try not to haggle in shops and at the market as this is considered very
rude.
Switzerland (Zurich) is about the safest tourist destination there is in
Europe. Pick-pocketing is also a threat in Zurich. Dont carry around excess
amounts of cash/cards.
Electricity: Visit the CAA Office,Future shop or The Source. The Swiss
plug is in all the sets of travel plugs they sell places like The Source. Check
to see if your computer is 120/240 watts and 50/60 hertz. If it is, all you
need is the plug. If not, contact your manufacturer because it could damage
the computer to use it in Europe. I would assume all Apples are dual
voltage.
Hair stuff - you will need more than a plug for a blow dryer but just a plug
will work for a curling iron or anything else without a motor. It is very difficult
to carry a transformer large enough for a blow dryer so go to Wal-mart or

similar and buy a dual voltage travel dryer. It will probably come with plugs
as well but will work off the plugs you get at The Source as well.
Please ask your billet if it is possible to use their hair dryer and others
rather than spend an enormous amount of money on transformers and
adapters.
Money
Switzerland uses Francs Suisses / Swiss Franc (CHF)
The current exchange rate is currently: $1.00 = 0.72 (CHF) or 1 CHF =
$1.38
The amount of spending money to bring depends on your individual
snacking appetite and plans for shopping. There may not be a lot of time to
spend shopping, so you do not need much spending money. You can
certainly plan to NOT buy a lot of souvenirs and do fine with far less money.
Remember, you have to carry what you buy.
The following are some of the locations in Ottawa where you can exchange
currency:
Calforex
Unit 322, 50 Rideau Street (2nd Floor, Rideau Centre)
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9J7
Retail Phone: 613-569-4075
Email: ottawa@calforex.com
www.globexfx.com
400-151 Slater St
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3, Canada
(613) 232-7038
www.accu-rate.ca
2573 Carling Ave.Call: (613) 596 5505

111 Albert Street (World Exchange Plaza)

First Floor Call: (613) 238 8454
Ultimate Currency Exchange
Unit 104, 2255 Carling Ave. Call: 1 888 727-6926
240 Sparks St. Level C1

Ottawa Foreign Currency Exchange

1500 Bank St, Unit 101, Ottawa, ON, K1H7Z2
Tel: (613) 521 1350
International Currency Exchange
St-Laurent shopping Center
Call : 613- 741-8304
Credit cards, cash?
Credit cards are accepted. The name on the credit card must be the
students name. Generally, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are
acceptable. Students should only use ATM machines for emergencies
because service and interest charges are very high. Also, when you use a
credit card you may be charged a high rate depending on the exchange
value Canadian dollar to Swiss Franc at the time of travel. Be sure to
exchange money this well in advance of our departure. Pre-loaded Credit
cards are the best and may be reloaded from Canada :-)
Once you are in Switzerland, it will take time to go to a bank but can be
done if necessary.
Banks: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday; limited hours Saturday

How much money to bring?

Usually students take $300-$400 in cash (CHF and /or a Pre loaded Credit
Card , although most do not actually spend all of it. Carry your extra money

in a money belt while traveling, and a small amount in a wallet for daily use.
It is a good idea to have a special pouch or small pack to hold your wallet.
Your chaperones , Ms. Jansen Van Doorn, Mr. Armstrong and myself, will
hold on to your passports during the stay while in Switzerland. You will
carry a clear photocopy of your passport at all times. You will be able to
leave money at the home of your hosts while you are on day trips or are
attending Le Lyce Franais de Zurich.
If you do expect to be purchasing many souvenirs be aware that it can get
very expensive. Also, it will save you shopping time to be clear about what
you are looking for.

Gifts
Is is customary to give gifts to people who host you. As guests of Le Lyce
Franais de Zurich, Glebe collegiate Institute will present gifts to the school.
We usually give them something that represents our school such as a
mascot or a yearbook and something else that represents Ottawa and
Canada, such as a book of photographs of Ottawa. You will be a guest of a
French (from France) family in Zurich who will take very good care of you.
In deference to the exchange custom, each student is asked to take a gift
to their host family. These gifts should be something from Canada,
preferably from Ottawa (or Eastern Ontario & Quebec). Please read the
following list for suggestions and guidelines.

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR HOST FAMILIES (Please remove all price

tags)
Glebe Collegiate Institute gifts (i.e., mugs; key chains, T-shirts, shirts, hats,
etc.)
Herbal and English tea.
Coffee beans or ground, vacuum packed coffee; Ottawa companies:
http://www.bridgehead.ca/; http://www.humanbeanscoffee.com/
Things from Made in Canada (especially Ontario & Quebec); things from
By-Town Market area or Sparks St.
Food is a safe choice like jelly, dry fruits or jam

Lollypops, Candies and Toffees

Sachet, Potpourri
T-shirts, hat, water bottle, socks
Canadian made knitted and woven goods, scarves, shirts etc.
Set of commemorative postage stamps
Picture postcards of Ottawa and other typical Canadian images (Canadian
wildlife etc.)
Assortment of popular candy
Popular Canadian music, favorite songs
Maple products( Buy them at the Airport after security screening. Tin Cans
are heavy)
Do not buy chocolate because it will melt. Although you will return to
Canada with Swiss Chocolate :-)
Please remove all price tags. Due to new security regulations, you cannot
wrap gifts in advance. Bring gift bags (packed flat to fill later).
LUGGAGE
Each student should plan to take one piece of luggage, a daypack for daily
use, and a pouch for your wallet. Mark luggage inside and out for easy
identification. Appropriate Identification is crucial.
Labeling your luggage:
Prepare 2 address labels for your baggage. When we leave Ottawa, have
your billets address in Zurich or the Lyce Franais de Zurich on the
outside of each item.
When we leave from Switzerland, you will switch to your home address.
Keep a copy of both addresses and the dates you will be in each place on
the inside on your bag.

Contact Information:
Lyce Franais de Zurich

Ursprungstrasse 10 - CH-8044 Gockhausen - Zurich

Tlphone +41 (0)43 355 20 83
Fax +41 (0)43 355 20 89
Mail lycee.secretariat@lfz.ch
Site web
www.lfz.ch
Contact person at Lyce Franais de Zurich:
Head of English and Exchange Coordinator:
Stephanie Massolin smassolin@lfz.educanet2.ch

Please note that I will carry an European cell phone on which students and
parents can reach me. As soon as we land, I am going to activate my
Orange number and confirm it to you by email.
You can also text me if needed on 613 864-9826.
You are allowed to bring your cell phone but be advised that it is costly.
Please contact your cell phone provider to purchase an International
traveler package if you intend to use your phone to call your parents. You
can also buy a call card once in Zurich or do the following:
http://zurichexpats.com/best-value-prepaid-mobile-phones-in-switzerland/
and use the minutes as you go. We will find a store to buy cards as soon
as we arrive. It is cheaper. Bottomline we strongly suggest that you limit
contact as some young travelers become homesick when they talk to their
parents. Alternatively, you may communicate through emails. You may want
to bring a tablet, a small laptop or a Chromebook.
You will be able to connect to a Wi-Fi connection while in Zurich. Again,
there might be a cost for that. Bring your electronic device in your carry-on
in the plane.
PACKING TIPS
You will be doing a lot of walking on arrival in the airport, and you will need
luggage that is easy to handle. A duffel bag can be awkward to carry. A

middle size rolling suitcase is good combined with a backpack style

suitcase may be the best. Of course, being able to use something you
already own is a plus. Also, it may be good to bring a thin collapsible extra
bag that can be taken empty on the trip to the various locations, and be
used for extra items on the way home. There are no easy answers or
perfect solutions.
IMPORTANT! Remember that whatever luggage you bring, you must be
able to manage it yourself. You will each have to carry all of your own
luggage while making train/bus transfers.
The walk from one station to another can be long. You may have to carry
your suitcases/backpacks up and down stairs (including pedestrian
overpasses on large streets). Pack your bags a few days early and try to
carry them for 15 minutes, and then eliminate things that are not essential.
Try to under-pack! Weight your luggage on a scale to avoid overloading.
Please check the Air Canada Airline site to know the authorized weight
limit.
In the last 3 exchanges, one or two suitcases were delayed. We suggest
that you pack part or half of your clothing in a friends suitcase and viceversa. Upon arrival at Zurich, you will have time to retrieve your belongings.
Packing gifts:
Each person should pack their home stay gifts in an easily accessible way
in their own luggage. Please avoid unusual size and shapes in your
purchases. It is important to make room for these gifts in your luggage,
because it reminds you that you will be receiving gifts and buying souvenirs
that will have to fit in your luggage on the way home.

PACKING TIPS:
Temperature in Zurich in March:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/ch/zurich/316622/march-weather/316622
The above information makes it look quite cool in March. Keep in mind that
temperatures will rise during the second half of March. If you are in the sun
during the day it may feel really quite hot; However we are going to go up

at 3015 m. We also will play games in the snow at Mt Titlis: Tubing, sliding,
snow shoeing... you will be able to borrow clothing from your billet. In your
conversation with your billet, please discuss this. Last year, travelers were
frequently uncomfortably warm.
The time difference from Ottawa is 6 hours ( If 3:00PM here it is 9:00 PM
there)
Clothing
Select comfortable clothes that are hand washable, dry quickly, and
coordinate well with your other clothes. If you roll your clothes, it helps
prevent wrinkling. Dont take valuable jewelry or clothing that is too casual,
sloppy, or revealing. Leaning toward more modest and conservative
clothing makes the best impression. No sagging style!
You may have to do a basic hand-wash of some of your clothes from time
to time if you need them the next day for example. Host families will have
a washing machine, but not necessarily clothes-dryer. Plan on hand
washing once in a while.
Remember, when you arrive at the airport you will be wearing some of the
clothes listed below. Don't overpack.
Important: Plan on a secure way to carry valuables everyday. (Day pack,
fanny pack, pouch, Velcro or zippered pockets). Pants pockets are not the
safest place for valuables (cash, or passport).
SHOES for everyone
1 pair walking shoes (athletic shoes are fine, even for the final party, if they
are decent)
1 pair athletic shoes (if the above pair is not)
Therefore 2 pairs
All shoes should be broken in before departure. Remember that you will be
walking a lot, and removing your shoes often during the course of one day.
Bring shoes that are easy to take off and put on. Rubber and crepe soles
are the most comfortable. (No high heels!)

WOMEN
3-6 outfits: mix and match skirt, pants, 5-6 tops or nicer T-shirts; at least 1
outfit must be athletic clothes (lightweight "warm-ups" could be used
throughout the trip as pants); 5-6 changes of underwear; 4-6 pairs socks;
Sweater or jacket or sweat shirt; a lightweight raincoat/windbreaker/ gloves
or mittens, a light hat and and light waterproof pants cover, a winter coat,
sleepwear; personal supplies; swimsuit
MEN
3-6 outfits: pants, shorts; 5-6 sport shirts or T-shirts (and our trip T-shirt);
Khakis are great, jeans for casual wear; at least 1 outfit must be athletic
clothes (lightweight warm-ups could be used throughout the trip as one of
your pants); 5-6 changes underwear; 4-6 pairs socks; Sweater or jacket or
sweat shirt; a lightweight raincoat/windbreaker/ gloves or mittens, a light
hat and and light waterproof pants cover, a winter coat, sleepwear;
personal supplies; swimsuit

DETAILED SUPPLY LIST

Note: If you need to bring your own soap, shampoo, and conditioner, buy
small ones or decant into small plastic bottles. These items can be very
heavy. PLEASE ENSURE TO PACK THEM IN A PLASTIC BAG AND
PLACE THESE ITEMS IN YOUR CHECK-IN SUITCASE.
Comb & brush
Cold water laundry soap (pack securely) Dollar Store
Safety razor
Sewing kit/a few safety pins
Toothbrush and small amount of toothpaste
Small shampoo/conditioner (if desired)
Small soap or body soap (if desired)
Deodorant

Sunglasses
a few large ziplock or other plastic bags
Wash-N-Dry Packets
Hat or cap
Sunscreen (small amount!)
Camera, extra battery (if needed)
USB cord for charging
Pictures of family/home/school
Addresses (including. e-mail) of friends and relatives

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE PACKED IN YOUR CARRY-ON (DAY

PACK) IN THE PLANE

Passport (DO NOT pack your passport in your medium size suitcase)
Wristwatch (with alarm function is great)
$20 Canadian (for emergency or expenses at the airport)
Medicines you will need on board the plane and in first 24 hours
Reading materials
Trip journal, notebook, and pen/pencil
Snacks (not much!!)
IPod/ Phone/ Electronic Devices
Kleenex (1 small travel size)
Change of clothing (just in case)

In a clear Ziploc plastic bag in the carry-on in the plane:

Lip balm
Hand Sanitizer

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

A travel size container of mouthwash
Deodorant
Towelettes (Wet ones Style)
Gravol (if needed)
Any medicine with a prescription
Tylanol/ or other
Contact lenses liquid and container
Ventolin ( Inhaler)
Hand cream

More on medicines: You should provide your own medication for any of
the following needs. Again these items can be very heavy. For over-thecounter medicines, take a small amount, or plan with a partner to share as
appropriate. Pack in your carry-on if you think it will be needed on board:
individual prescriptions
allergies
glasses or contacts: bring an extra pair and prescriptions for your contacts
vitamins
motion sickness
aspirin
diarrhea/constipation ( Imodium- Glycerine)
Band Aids
Polysporin for blisters and in drops for dry eyes
***Emergency Items : The following items should be collected into an
envelope with your name on it and given to Ms Rheaume at Ottawa airport
before boarding. These are very important in the case of emergency. If you
carry an Epipen, WE MUST KNOW.
Written description and photo (or sketch) of luggage

If these apply to you, also bring:

__ a back-up prescription for any needed medicines
__ a back-up glasses or contact lenses prescription