ISBM LOCATION AND FOREWORD
Welcome to the International School of Business Management (ISBM), nestled in the picturesque Canton of Lucerne, in the heart of beautiful Central Switzerland.
ISBM's prime location offers students unparalleled access to the vibrant urban life of Switzerland while providing ample opportunities for entertainment and recreation.
Situated strategically at the center of Switzerland, ISBM ensures convenient access to all parts of the country. With modern transportation facilities seamlessly connecting to major cities across Switzerland, ISBM students enjoy easy travel and exploration throughout the region.
Welcome to ISBM
It is with great pleasure that ISBM Business School announces the educational programs at the International School of Business Management in Lucerne, Switzerland. The International School of Business Management in Littau, Switzerland, will offer, in conjunction with its core programs, a specialized Hotel Management degree program.
This manual doesn’t attempt to cover everything under the sun, as no student’s learning experience will be exactly the same. However, it does lay down some ground rules for your study at ISBM, academic and otherwise, in the hope of creating a strong scholarly community.
This is a work in progress and will keep evolving over the years to accommodate changes in programs, academic attitudes, quality assurance policies, student and faculty suggestions, and other factors.
I hope you find this manual useful in your studies. Please let us know if there is anything you feel should be included here. Learning is a two-way street, and ISBM Business School is learning just as much as you. Good luck with your studies.
Yours sincerely,
Principal
ABOUT SWITZERLAND
Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation or Confoederatio Helvetica in Latin, is renowned as the birthplace of modern tourism and hospitality.
Two centuries ago, the British bestowed upon Switzerland the moniker of "the healthy resort." Today, tourism stands as Switzerland's third-largest industry, offering an abundance of leisure activities and entertainment, all upholding the renowned Swiss standard of excellence.
Despite being a relatively small country, Switzerland boasts an extensive and efficient transport infrastructure, ensuring that no destination is too distant. This accessibility provides visitors with a myriad of options for day trips and weekend getaways, allowing for unforgettable experiences throughout the country.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Switzerland is a melting pot of four distinct language-oriented cultures: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. In some cities, bilingualism is prevalent, leading to occasional conversations where one side speaks French while the other communicates in German.
Despite nearly half of the population identifying as Catholic, Switzerland's historical significance in the Protestant Reformation is noteworthy. The Protestant population closely rivals the Catholic demographic, reflecting the country's diverse religious landscape.
SWISS GERMAN - SCHWIIZERTÜÜTSCH
Swiss German is very different from standard German. Historically, it resembles dialects spoken in Southern Germany in the Middle Ages, so it is pretty archaic and untouched by many changes which have changed the standard German (like the disappearance of diphtongs: when it is written Knie (knee), then a German will read it kni: but in Swiss, it will be something like (knie).
Some examples: l came is ich kam in Standard German, or ich bin gekommen if the more common Perfect tense is used, and it is i bi choo in some Swiss dialects.
TRANSLATION OF PLACE NAMES
Some place names have different names in different languages, but the official one that is used in official documents and postal system is mostly the same one (the names used in public transport schedules are sometimes different). If several places have the same name, the abbreviation of the canton is used after the name (e.g. Pfaffikon ZH and Pfaffikon SZ are quite different places). English names of places come usually from the French form.
SOCIAL INSURANCE SCHEMES
Illness Compulsory Insurance
Healthcare insurance, known as "basic insurance," is compulsory for all residents of Switzerland, covering illness and accidents. Residents are required to arrange basic insurance with a health insurance provider within three months of establishing residence in Switzerland or after the birth of a child. Each family member must be individually insured, with each person responsible for their own insurance arrangements. Premiums are not deducted from wages; instead, individual employers may offer appropriate services to assist with insurance arrangements.
HEALTH
While the Swiss Health Service may come at a premium, it offers unparalleled quality. Typically, waiting lists are minimal, attributed to the nation's exceptional doctor-to-patient ratio, the highest globally. Switzerland not only excels in conventional medical care but also leads in alternative medicines, plastic surgery, and rejuvenation clinics.
WORKING CONDITIONS IN SWITZERLAND
WORKING CONDITIONS
Foreign workers in Switzerland are required to be employed under equivalent payment and working conditions as Swiss citizens. Government authorities rigorously enforce this principle to ensure compliance. Beyond this, the state refrains from intervening in employer-employee relations, which are primarily governed by agreements between the parties, as well as by the law on employment contracts (outlined in Section 10 of the Swiss Code of Obligations) and labor regulations.
PEOPLE
As of January 1, 2024, Switzerland's permanent resident population stood around 9 million, with around 2.5 million individuals classified as foreign nationals.
RELIGION: Switzerland upholds freedom of religion and conscience. The nation's religious landscape is characterized by two principal denominations: Roman Catholics and Protestant Reformed Church adherents, each comprising roughly equal proportions of the population.
GEOGRAPHY
Location: Situated in Central Europe, Switzerland is positioned east of France, north of Italy, south of Germany, and west of Austria. It is a landlocked country, serving as a pivotal crossroads between northern and southern Europe, as well as between southeastern France and northern Italy. Notably, Switzerland is home to the highest elevations in Europe.
Area: Covering a total area of 41,290 square kilometers, Switzerland's land area spans 39,770 square kilometers, while its water area measures 1,520 square kilometers.
THE ECONOMY AND THE LABOUR MARKET
Despite its small size and a notable scarcity of raw materials, Switzerland has attained significant economic prosperity through its adept technical expertise, entrepreneurial drive, diligent labor, and financial resources. The nation heavily relies on the importation of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, as well as sources of energy and food to sustain its economy.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
Switzerland boasts three official languages: German, French, and Italian. Additionally, there is a fourth language, Romansh, which is occasionally considered as well. However, it's important to note that Switzerland is not entirely trilingual. Instead, the country's cantons are distinctly divided into German-speaking, French-speaking, and Italian-speaking regions.