How does the education system differ between the U.S. and Switzerland?
Education in Switzerland is traditionally less academic. It has an on-the-job training that we call apprenticeship. Eight of ten youngsters pursue this way after the nine years of compulsory schooling. An apprentice works practically for three days a week on the chosen job and goes for two days to professional school. Some apprenticeships are really popular, like office clerk or computer technician. Other professions have difficulties to find apprentices, like masons or butchers as you can imagine. An apprenticeship ends with a practical and theoretical final exam and a professional diploma. What’s next for you? Traveling. On top of the list are Argentina and Uruguay, where my wife comes from and I have some unknown relatives to meet. What’s on your iPod? Basically I use my iPod for “reading,” that is listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Recently I downloaded and listened to the big debates between Obama and McCain during the presidential campaign. And I listened to all the books of J
