COVID-19

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What is the current situation in Switzerland?

  1.  The Swiss Federal Council confirmed as of June 19, 2020, that the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths continue to fall despite easing COVID-19 restrictions. Switzerland is in its 4th phase of lifting restrictions. For further details about the situation in Switzerland, please click here.

   

  2.  In a recent report, Switzerland was ranked #1 out of 200 countries in a Safety Assessment for its economic resilience and careful relaxing of lockdown restrictions. COVID- 19 measures in Switzerland have gradually eased since April.  As of June 8, 2020, all Swiss schools have reopened and Swiss Student Visa processing has resumed.

• Will COVID-19 impact NJC's program next year?

  NJC will continue to offer the key elements of our program and adopt any guidelines set out by the Swiss government with the safety and health of our students and staff as our highest priority. 
  
  

  While social distancing and contact tracing will continue, the easing of restrictions means that students will now have:

  • In-class instruction on NJC’s campus 
  • Access to community life in Neuchâtel 
  • Restaurants, gardens, leisure and entertainment venues are open 
  • Gatherings and events with up to 1,000 participants will be permitted 
  • Travel to all permissible locations

• Is there still time to obtain a Swiss Student Visa?

  Students are required to obtain a Swiss student visa to study in Switzerland. 
  
  As of June 8, 2020, Swiss consulates have resumed processing Swiss Student Visas. Our experience this year is that Visa approvals have been issued at significantly faster rate than in the past.  We encourage families who are applying for the upcoming academic year to submit applications as soon as possible.
  
  If a student holds a passport from an EU country, they may be exempt from the student visa process. Please contact the admissions office for more information. 

• What happens if students need to quarantine when they first arrive in Switzerland?

  Currently, the Swiss government has no specific guidelines around quarantine for travellers arriving from outside the EU or UK. Should individuals entering Switzerland eventually need to quarantine for a set period of time, NJC’s plan is to have students remain at the pension (host family) homes for the quarantine period when they first arrive.

• How will students be assigned to their pension (host family)?

  In addition to the pension questionnaire that students complete before arriving, students will have interviews online with our Pension Coordinator prior to departure as well as private conversations throughout Orientation week. With the information gathered, NJC’s Pension Coordinator will determine the best possible pension placement for each student.

• Will students be able to travel?

  One of the hallmarks of our program is access to travel, and students enjoy curriculum-based and independent travel. The health and safety of students is the highest priority as countries open their borders. Students will need to respect all protocols set out by the school and the countries that they visit.

• Will NJC still host its standard events?

  The 2020/21 Calendar of Events has been set and includes such events as Parents’ Weekend (last weekend of October in 2020). If there are changes to any regular planned events and holidays, families will be notified immediately.

• What if someone gets sick?

  If a student feels unwell, the school must be informed immediately. NJC works directly with a husband-wife doctor team that are always available to students. As well, Neuchâtel has 2 hospitals. COVID-19 testing is readily available in Switzerland.  NJC will follow all protocols set out by the Swiss authorities as well as those set out in our school pandemic policy.

• How will classes be completed if students have to return home during the school year?

  In March 2020, NJC successfully moved to a Google Meets platform through Google Classroom. Direct interactive instruction, regular advisory group meetings, guest speakers, school spirit events and weekly assemblies transitioned seamlessly to this platform. If NJC’s program needs to be modified to online delivery, we will use Google Meets/Classroom once again.

• Will refunds be issued if there is a second wave of COVID-19?

  While there is no way to predict the eventuality of a second wave, measures are in place should the situation arise. Any unused program expenses (meals/housing/local transportation) will be refunded to families. Refunds for unused curriculum based travel opportunities would be issued on a TBD basis and will be dependant on reimbursement from the school’s travel insurance policy holder.