A Day in the Life
Ignite: Switzerland
Ignite: Switzerland is a programme for the curious, passionate, and brave! It is a unique educational opportunity exclusive to Year 9 Dulwich College International students, inspired by Education in Motion (EiM)’s vision to provide pioneering education for a sustainable future and underpinned by its global network of resources and industry knowledge.
This exciting opportunity gives Year 9 students an exceptional experience of indoor and outdoor learning. Through the new challenges they encounter, they will discover their best selves. They will be leading their own expedition into the world of learning, finding new ways to reflect on the world and themselves in an awe-inspiring natural environment. Ignite: Switzerland is a transformative experience that will be the highlight of a student’s time at Dulwich College International.
Watch the video below to see more.
Who will thrive at Ignite: Switzerland?
- Passionate actionists with a pioneering spirit, ready to take on new challenges
- Resilient adventurers who are confident, flexible and adaptable
- Independent thinkers who want to take control of their own learning
- Innovative designers who wish to create a sustainable future for people and the planet
The Location
Nestled in the Lower Engadin valley near Ftan, three hours from Zurich and two hours from Milan, Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF), home to the Ignite: Switzerland programme, is located in the South-eastern region of Switzerland. The HIF campus, at 1,700 metres above sea level, has a magnificent panoramic view of the southern alpine peaks. Its close proximity to the Swiss National Park allows students to become stewards of the natural environment, and inspire them to explore its wildlife, mountains, forest, pastures, and rivers.
The Programme & Term Dates
Ignite: Switzerland offers a bespoke termly programme which is 12 weeks in length. The ideal duration for that first step away from home.
| Term Start | Term End | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1: ROCK |
September 14, 2025 |
December 6, 2025 |
| Term 2: SNOW |
January 4, 2026 |
March 28, 2026 |
| Term 3: WATER |
April 6, 2026 |
June 27, 2026 |
Ignite Handbook
Please click below to access the Ignite Handbook. Content within this Handbook includes information regarding the Academic Programme, the Outdoor Learning Programme, Information Technology, Boarding, Meals, Safeguarding, Local Medical & Other Services, and other important information. We will be updating the information within the Handbook periodically, so please refer to the date on the inside cover to ensure you have read the most recent version.
Please click here to access the Ignite: Switzerland Handbook.
Core Academic Programme
Students engage with a rigorous academic programme 5 days a week with both a core and elective options being provided.
The core academic programme will ensure that all students study the English, Maths, Science, and a language to the same standard as Dulwich College International in Asia. All subjects will be aligned to, and fully meet, the criteria of the Year 9/iGCSE curriculum.
The Electives
Taking inspiration from the Swiss natural environment, the Ignite: Switzerland curriculum provides the perfect platform to embark on an exciting educational journey. This is a golden opportunity for students to develop their passions, or try something new, as they select a personalised pathway through the electives. Students select 2 electives to study in depth for 12 hours a week for 12 weeks. Their learning will culminate in a Passion Project, which they will share with their fellow students and teachers at HIF, and with their parents and classmates when they return to their respective colleges.
The Passion Project enables students to showcase their learning in the Electives in a creative and dynamic way. The Project represents the culmination of their learning at Ignite: Switzerland and gives students the opportunity to share their experience with friends and family. The Passion Project encourages students to practise and strengthen their approaches to learning (ATL) skills, to consolidate prior and subject-specific learning, and to develop an area of personal interest.
The students will be able to choose from the Elective options below.
Outdoor Learning Programme
The Outdoor Learning Programme will be the highlight of the Ignite: Switzerland experience.
Ignite: Switzerland offers a breadth of opportunities to the students to help provide a powerful learning experience. The unique experiences will undoubtedly stand out in the memories of the students. The alpine environment offers a variety of exciting, challenging and easily accessible sports and activities for all.
With the Swiss National Park and the southern alpine peaks on our doorstep, the students can walk from the school out into the most beautiful of surroundings. The students will develop confidence and resilience in the outdoors that will enable them to take leadership roles in other aspects of their lives in the future.
Seasonal Sport Programme
The sport programme has been developed around the seasons as the weather will dictate what we can do safely.
Terms 1 & 3 only: Students may choose which sport they would like to focus on for either a 6 week or 12 week period. This flexibility is built into the programme due to the changes with the weather during these terms. More details can be found in the Ignite: Switzerland Handbook.
Term 2: This is very much the ‘snow’ term. All the sports available will revolve around snow. The students will be able to choose from: alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, curling, and ice skating.
Seasonal Activity Programme
There will be a wide variety of activities on offer throughout the year allowing students the opportunity to discover many different activities and to acquire a growing range of skills and experiences. Fun packed weekends are in store!
There will be a wide variety of activities on offer throughout the year allowing students the opportunity to discover many different activities and to acquire a growing range of skills and experiences. Fun packed weekends are in store!
Weekend Expeditions: Expeditions are an integral part of every student's life at Ignite: Switzerland, and a key element in what makes it unique. Our aim through the expedition programme is to use the outdoors as a vehicle to both develop and educate students: genuine outdoor education through authentic adventure.
The hiking programme is challenging.The season will determine where the hiking expeditions will take place but we are fortunate that our location provides us with ample opportunities to hike straight from the school grounds.
Excursions
Our extensive excursion programme offers a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain a better insight into their local environment.
Our extensive excursion programme offers a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain a better insight into their local environment.
All the electives involve excursions away from HIF and are selected to enhance the learning experience and contribute to a truly holistic education.
Each term of Ignite has a one-week trip away planned to either Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Weekend Expeditions: Expeditions are an integral part of every student's life at Ignite: Switzerland, and a key element in what makes it unique. Our aim through the expedition programme is to use the outdoors as a vehicle to both develop and educate students: genuine outdoor education through authentic adventure.
The hiking programme is challenging. The season will determine where the hiking expeditions will take place but we are fortunate that our location provides us with ample opportunities to hike straight from the school grounds.
On Sundays the boarding house also arranges trips around the valley to ensure that students have different opportunities to connect with each other and the environment.
Wellbeing Programme
At Ignite: Switzerland the natural environment will impact positively on student health and wellbeing.
At Ignite: Switzerland the natural environment will impact positively on student health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing integrates five elements: Emotional, Academic, Social, Physical Health, and Mental Health. The Wellbeing Curriculum is based around these five pillars and aims to support and enhance the wellbeing of the whole community. The programme includes a taught Health and Wellbeing course for all students, which is supplemented by additional student events and experiences.
Boarding offers so many opportunities to gain independence, confidence, and make lifelong friendships.
Ignite Costing and Fees
The Ignite: Switzerland termly fee ensures that students will safely develop self-confidence and independence through world-class outdoor learning experiences and a challenging curriculum that meets our high educational standards. Tuition, boarding, meals, activities and excursions are included in the fee. It will also include a one-week residential trip to Europe, where students have the opportunity to visit some of the major sights of Switzerland and surrounding countries and enjoy many of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Programme fees are CHF 25,000 per term. This fee is inclusive of, not in addition to, your current Dulwich College International tuition. Please see the FAQs page for more information regarding fees.
| Programme Fees Per Term | CHF 25,000 |
Application Process
Current Year 8 students will have received the application link in their school email inboxes. The application is a series of open-ended personal essay questions for them to complete. Once the application is submitted, we will submit a reference. The essay question answers, and reference will be sent to the Ignite: Switzerland Selection Committee for consideration.
Application Dates
Applications for AY24/25 are currently OPEN until further notice.
As Term 2: Snow is rapidly approaching, we recommend applying for Term 3: Water at this point.
If you have submitted an application already, you should hear back from the Ignite: Switzerland team soon. Please reach out with any questions.
Applications for AY25/26 will open in December for Singapore and January for China and Seoul schools.
Olivia Bugden
Head of Ignite: Switzerland
Olivia Bugden is Head of Ignite: Switzerland. She has lived and worked in England, China, Hungary, Australia and now Switzerland. Prior to moving to HIF she was Deputy Head: Personal Growth at a Private Girls School in Melbourne, Australia. At both Dulwich College Beijing and Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong she worked in various leadership roles focusing on the wellbeing and personal growth of the students. She has worked on various projects at EIM including the Student Leadership Conference (2015 – 2019) and the Student Wellbeing Steering Group (2024).
Contact us with any questions at [email protected]
