How is my child looked after in the boarding house?
Boarding rooms are organised by age and are separated - male/female. On arrival, the resident teacher, who lives on every floor will welcome the family and show the student to his/her room. The teacher will ensure that every student is settled, happy and is making friends with others. The teacher is there to support the student in every way and the student’s well-being is paramount.

What is the boarding accommodation like?
We have five boarding houses at Brillantmont. Houses are organised by age and gender with different rules for different ages. A boarding teacher lives on every floor. Houses are accessed by security badges and are locked at night. The rooms are large and spacious and many have views over the lake. Students share a room with one or two students of a different nationality, which enables them to make new friends and discover new cultures. Some rooms have private bathrooms; some share. Bedding and towels are provided.

Is sharing a room with a friend possible?
We strongly encourage students to share a room with someone from a different nationality, because it will open their eyes to other cultures, rather than always staying with the same friendship group.   However, exceptionally, we do allow friends to share a room, but only if they are the same age.

Will someone be at the airport to welcome my child?
Yes, you need to give us details of the flight arrival time. A member of staff will be waiting in the airport arrivals area to welcome all arriving students and bring them to Brillantmont. The transfer to and from Geneva airport and / or Lausanne train station is included in the cost on the official arrival /departure day (Saturday).

Is there accommodation for parents?
We cannot accommodate parents on campus. We can recommend hotels locally. We do encourage parents to take advantage of the fact that their child is in good hands to enjoy exploring further afield. For some students, knowing that mum and dad are close by can make them feel homesick.

Can I visit my child?
Parents are of course welcome to visit their child during the Summer Course. However, this should be organised with the school, to find a suitable time, since the programme is very busy and we may not always be on campus. We strongly encourage parents to not see their child in the first couple of days to give him /her the chance to fully integrate with others.

What happens at meal-times?
Students have a choice of vegetarian or meat-based menus. If they have a special dietary requirement it is important to inform us. The food is varied, international, with three courses. If the weather is nice, we may have barbecues and picnics outside.  Attendance at all meals is compulsory. Meals are served and are eaten together, along with the staff, creating a sense of community. Outside meal times, a selection of fresh fruits and drinks are available in the dining room.

What clothes does my child need to bring?
Please refer to our clothing list in our Summer Course handbook. Remember, Switzerland is an Alpine climate and although summers can be very hot, the weather can change suddenly.

Is there laundry service?
We have a laundry room with washing machines and dryers. They are free of charge. We provide the products needed to do laundry and our staff explain how they work and help the students. A paying laundry service is available should students not wish to do it themselves, however, we encourage them to be independent and autonomous.

What is the main language used at the camp?
Because we have students learning French and English, we use both languages around the school campus, when giving information and during different activities.

Is this a French immersion camp?
Students coming to learn French will study French in the morning classes and can also take the BM French Fun afternoon option. They will hear French around the school. However, between themselves, students tend to speak in English. For this reason, please note that this is not a French immersion camp.

Are the afternoon activities taught in English?
BM Code and BM Create are taught in English. All other afternoon activities are taught in a mix of English and French - your child gets two languages in one camp!

Does my child need to bring a computer?
Students who are taking the afternoon BM Code option should bring a laptop, since they need it to learn programming.

What happens if my child feels unwell?
Our School Nurse is on campus every day and is on call at other times. She will decide if a student needs to see a doctor or go to hospital and she will administer medication if required. It is important that families give a full medical history on the medical form which is required on enrolment and that any medication is handed over to the School Nurse. The school doctor and teaching hospital are within 5 minutes.

Is my child insured?
Yes, all students are insured against accident and illness.

How is pocket money given to my child?
When a student arrives, he / she gives us their pocket money, which is kept in the school safe. Every day, students can go to the accounts office to withdraw pocket money and of course, if money is left over, it will be returned to your child on departure. We recommend CHF30.- CHF50.- per week. Since everything is included, there is nothing the student needs to pay for. To give you an idea of prices in Switzerland (which has a high cost of living), an ice cream or a Coca Cola costs around CHF5.-

Can my child use a mobile phone?
Yes, mobile phones can be used at certain times of day, but within guidelines regarding their usage.

Is there internet access during the camp?
Yes, all the campus has wireless. However, we block internet overnight because we want students to get a good night’s sleep!