To enable teenagers to share their experiences of studying, working and socializing in Switzerland, the Ukraine Switzerland Bern Association organizes “Children to Children” information meetings.
Teenagers who have been in Switzerland since the beginning of the war in Ukraine come to help children who have just arrived from Ukraine. They tell their peers about the differences between Swiss and Ukrainian education, how they can work and earn official income even at such a young age, and how to study while their language skills are minimal.
Ukrainian children are faced with a difficult choice: how to study in a Swiss school and still receive a Ukrainian education? It is possible to combine education in two schools without prioritizing, but it is possible to fully combine education in two schools. And the Ukraine Schule Bern school at the USB Association has been helping with this for almost a year.
“To ensure that children retain their Ukrainian identity, learn their native language, are not separated from Ukrainian culture, and can optimally combine the Ukrainian component of education with a Swiss school, we support the education of Ukrainian children on the official educational online platform Optima and provide them with offline support,” says Svitlana Manzer, head of educational projects at Ukraine Schweiz Bern.
Under this program, children retain their Ukrainian education if they study three compulsory subjects (Ukrainian language and literature, history of Ukraine for high school students, reading, writing, and math for junior high school students) and two elective subjects. The rest are credited to them from the Swiss schools where they study.
“Those children who attend offline lessons at USB also have experience of adaptation in a Swiss school. That's why they talked about the differences between the Ukrainian and Swiss education systems and provided information assistance to those children who have just arrived,” says Svitlana Manzer.
The day before, a meeting was held where the high school students talked about what impressed them the most, what situations were the most problematic, where they turned for help, and what helped them adapt. They also shared how they felt when they first had to go to a Swiss school without knowing the language. “Most of the questions were about the school system, communication with the Swiss, and work,” says project participant Polina. ”However, I noticed that the children who are coming now, unlike those who came to Switzerland in 2022, are more calm and balanced. This is probably due to the fact that they already have someone to turn to for help.”
“Sharing this experience gives you the opportunity to ask questions to your peers and feel that you are not alone,” says Svitlana Manzer. - “In addition, the children will exchange information on how to look for a part-time job, because in Switzerland you can work part-time from the age of 14! And for teenagers, this is very important for psycho-emotional growth, motivation, and effective interaction. This project is also important for young speakers. Because when they tell their peers about their experience, they realize how far they have come and how they have coped with many life challenges.”
The Association will initiate such meetings at the request of children who have just arrived in Switzerland. In addition, the teenagers who shared their experiences received a bonus from USB as a reward for their work. This gave them the opportunity to feel their competence and the skills needed for socialization.
