Switzerland in Ras Al Khaimah
At the end of September 2012, the Ras Al Khaimah Teacher Exchange Program welcomed 19 Swiss teachers from various schools in Basel to Ras Al Khaimah. For a week, these educators gained insight into Ras Al Khaimah’s culture, tradition, schools, and teaching methods.
After arriving in the Gulf, the Swiss group visited the Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone, where they met with the Al Qasimi Foundation, Education Zone staff, and some of the teachers from the exchange visit to Basel. Ms. Sumaya Hareb, the Director of the Education Zone, introduced them to the structures and practices of the Zone. Later, the Swiss delegation toured the city of Ras Al Khaimah.
Throughout the remainder of the trip, the group visited different schools around the emirate. Men visited Ras Al Khaimah Secondary School for boys, while women visited Julphar Secondary School for girls. The entire group journeyed to the remote mountainous area of Al Munaei to visit the boys’ school there. In Munaei, they were welcomed into the home of an Emirati family to share a traditional meal. The group also visited the Applied Technology High School and Ras Al Khaimah Academy to gain an understanding of vocational and private education in the UAE.
The Swiss group was enthusiastic while exploring local culture and fascinated by their experiences in Ras Al Khaimah. In particular, the teachers were surprised to learn that many of the challenges teachers face in Ras Al Khaimah resemble those faced in Basel. From classrooms to camels, the Swiss teachers found their time in the Emirates personally and professionally enriching.