You’re always welcome at the Château.

— VISITING THE PROGRAM

Should you wish to visit your student and our program in Switzerland, you are more than welcome to tour our facilities, enjoy a meal with the program, and experience life at Château d'Hauteville. While you cannot stay in the house, there are several hotels near campus, and the area has a comprehensive train system if you choose to stay further than walking distance.

When planning your trip, please be accommodating to your student's schedule. Students are enrolled in a very rigorous academic program and will not be able to spend unlimited free time with you during your visit. Visits during finals and midterms are very strongly discouraged, as are visits immediately before or after EFTs (educational field trips).

To avoid conflict, many parents choose to travel with their student over winter break, since students are required to leave Château d'Hauteville during the academic holiday.

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Visitation Hours

Campus is open to visitors Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Upon arriving on campus, all visitors must introduce themselves to a staff member before proceeding further into the facility.

Getting Here

Château d'Hauteville, St-Légier-la-Chiésaz, is approximately 25 minutes from Vevey by train and a short walk. Directions from the airport are available below in a video.

Directions Video →

The best gift you can give is permission to be away.

— BALANCING CONNECTION

The international program experience can be exciting not just for the student but for the whole family. Social media and smartphone apps have made staying connected simple and inexpensive — students can easily share photos and stories, allowing their families to share this experience.

However, understanding that healthy boundaries are needed for this experience to be maximized can be helpful. We make the following recommendations:

1. Encourage your child to be fully present in Switzerland.
One of the most valuable gifts families can give is permission to be away. If family and friends expect students to call or video chat each day — or even each week — it can put significant pressure on students as they try to "straddle two continents." Frequent communication can inhibit students from connecting with their immediate community, leaving them isolated.
2. Be aware of how busy the overseas schedule is.
During a normal week, students press a full course load into four days, keep up with homework and projects, participate in in-house activities, and plan weekend travel. Encourage balance rather than adding extra pressure.
3. Encourage encounters with difference.
Research shows study-abroad growth comes from "encounters with difference." As students face new political models, new social norms, and different ways of life, it can be difficult — even producing cognitive dissonance. Be as supportive as possible, allowing them to grapple with complex questions without swooping in to rescue them.
4. Let your children make their own decisions.
Through trial and error, students gain the skills to navigate public transportation, communicate without knowing the language, and balance academic and travel goals. Well-meaning intervention — talking to a professor, stepping into a roommate conflict — can short-circuit this critical learning. Support through listening, but let them carry the full weight of responsibility.

— FINANCIAL

Costs and fees abroad.

For costs and program fees, please see the International Programs Office website. For program-specific financial and banking information, see the link below.

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Two policies. One for the world, one for Switzerland.

— INSURANCE

All Switzerland Program students are covered by a standard university insurance policy during their time abroad. In addition, supplemental student insurance coverage is mandated by Swiss law and is included in the cost of the program. We currently provide a global health insurance policy through Advisor Swiss Insurance (CSS), with a low yearly deductible of 100 CHF usable anywhere in the world.

However, if your student has certain health needs, there are a few situations where you may want to maintain separate domestic coverage:

Coverage Outside Switzerland
The Swiss policy only covers medical expenses outside Switzerland for urgent medical need. A routine check-up with a US doctor during Christmas break, for example, may not be covered.
Emergencies in US, Canada, or Japan
In an emergency in these countries, CSS may recommend repatriation to Switzerland. If the student opts to remain abroad after being stabilized, CSS will cover only half of ongoing treatment.
Dental & Vision
Not covered by the Swiss policy — either abroad or in Switzerland — except in cases of accidents where teeth or eyes are directly damaged.
Questions about insurance? Contact Molly Furrer at molly.furrer@pepperdine.edu

Shipping to Switzerland is expensive. Here's how to do it right.

— SHIPPING

Students are encouraged to pack efficiently in their two allotted suitcases. Shipping items to Switzerland is very expensive, and import taxes can be exorbitant. If you do need to send a package, follow these guidelines carefully:

Sending Used Items
On the customs form under "Detailed Description of Contents," list each item as a "used personal item" (e.g. "Used personal item: clothing. Used personal item: book."). Under "Check All That Apply," check "Other" and write "used personal items." Following these steps makes it more likely the package will not be inspected or taxed.
Sending New Items or Gifts
New items can be marked as a "Gift." The Swiss postal service may still open any package and charge an import tax of 20–40% of the perceived value. Electronics — laptops, smartphones — are very likely to be inspected and taxed heavily.
When packages arrive, it is the sole responsibility of the student to pick up and pay for the package. Program staff cannot call, write letters, or provide translations for students attempting to retrieve packages or dispute import taxes.

Student safety is our highest priority.

— STUDENT SAFETY

Just as on the Malibu campus, the Switzerland Program considers student safety paramount. Here's how we keep students safe:

Emergency Contacts
Students receive a list of emergency phone numbers for reaching staff, their Swiss student insurance company, and local emergency services during orientation.
Travel Log
Students are required to submit a short travel itinerary and contact information — the Travel Log — to Switzerland staff before departing on any weekend travel.
Facility Security
Château d'Hauteville is monitored after hours by contract security officers. Entrance requires students to input a code to unlock the main door. Extensive security protocols govern all visitors and guests.
Pepperdine DPS
The university's Department of Public Safety actively communicates with all international campuses, monitors situations that could pose a threat, and will assist program staff in emergencies requiring evacuation or relocation.