The Cultural Volunteers Program was held in Zürich, Switzerland, April 8–15, 2023, hosted by the American Women’s Club of Zürich.

During the one-week itinerary, 12 Cultural Volunteers (CVs) from nine clubs (FAWCO Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 8) and FAUSA who spoke 11 languages (Indonesian, Chinese, Hindi, Swedish, Finnish, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and English) stayed with local host families and immersed themselves in a variety of enriching activities  designed to provide insights into important Swiss culture while offering them opportunities to give back to the local community… all while making new friends and having a ton of fun.

The youth completed 14 hours of community service with the following volunteering activities: sorting toiletries for FIZ (club charity), trash pick-up – Uetliberg panorama hike, farm work at a traditional Swiss farm, Tischlein deck dich (food bank), and sorting books and arts and crafts supplies for the children’s library at the AWCZ Clubhouse.

Their cultural activities included a Zürich walking/history Tour, Lindt chocolate factory tour, Schlafen im Stroh (Sleeping in the Straw), Zürich Opera House tour and workshop, REGA (air medical service) tour, and a United Nations tour in Geneva. They also enjoyed a picnic at the lake, cooking and dinners at the clubhouse, a scavenger hunt and many other team-building activities. 

The participants reflected on their experience through a group video and individual essays. CLICK HERE TO READ PERSONAL ESSAYS (you must be logged in).