What a wonderful first semester we’ve had in Villa Ecureuil!

This year, we had the pleasure of welcoming three new students into our close-knit community house. Each has brought a unique personality, talents, and energy, enriching our shared experiences and making our house even more vibrant. It has been a joy to watch them settle in, form friendships, and become an integral part of our community.

The girls are already on their way home and we are preparing to close the house. We want to thank everyone for your kind support during these past months. Can’t wait to see what the second semester brings us!

Tonight, we celebrated Secret Santa in the house, marking the last evening before the holidays when all the girls are together. And what better way to say goodbye than by exchanging gifts and enjoying some delicious homemade cookies.

Having prepared wishlists for our Secret Santa exchange made the process so much easier! Each girl received exactly what they truly wanted, and their happiness was contagious. The highlight of the evening came when everyone tried to guess who their Secret Santa was, with plenty of laughs as suspicions were shared and guesses were made. Overall, it was a heartwarming and memorable evening that brought us closer together, strengthening the bond we share in our little community house.

The Winter Ball at Collège du Léman is always a night brimming with emotions. Whether it’s the excitement of the semester’s end and the anticipation of the trips back home, the poignancy of first goodbyes, or simply the magic of the evening, the Winter Ball is a cherished tradition, forever etched in our memories.

The girls donned their finest outfits, and together, we made our way to the Hilton Hotel for a delightful evening with the entire community. The night was filled with radiant smiles, hearty laughter, countless photos, and treasured moments shared by all. Since this will be the final Winter Dinner for most of our girls before they graduate in June, they made the most of the evening, capturing countless photos to immortalize the night.

We hope everyone had a lovely evening❤️

During three intense days, I had the unique opportunity to accompany my grandfather as he gave lectures at the UN in Geneva, during a highly relevant event focused on Human Rights and the role of Brazilian businesses in this context. It was an incredibly enriching experience, not only because I was in such a prestigious and transformative environment, but also because it expanded my understanding of contemporary global challenges.

Through each panel, discussion, and interaction, I was able to absorb a wealth of knowledge about how corporations can and should act in support of human rights, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the complex intersections between business, ethics, and social justice. Watching my grandfather, a respected figure in his field, share his insights with such a diverse and international audience was both a personally and intellectually rewarding experience.

This experience motivated me to seek further knowledge and become actively involved in discussions about how the private sector can be a force for positive transformation in society.

Manuela, G12.

Today, during our House Meeting we celebrated one of the most important traditions in Geneva: La nuit de l’Escalade. The legend says that on the night of December 11th, the Savoyard troops tried to conquer Geneva and launched an attack on a cold night in December. Thanks to Catherine Cheynel, also known as Mère Royaume, who thought of emptying a large marmite of boiling soup on a group of attackers the whole city woke up and defended Geneva against the Savoyards.

On this day, it is tradition to break the marmite, a chocolate cauldron filled with marzipan vegetables.

Tradition says the older and the youngest of the house have to break the marmite together while reciting the iconic phrase: Ainsi périrent les ennemis de la République !

This was Ada’s first time smashing the iconic marmite and Kseniia’s second time. All together we celebrated the victory of the Genevans.

Bonne nuit de l’Escalade à tout le monde !

In our house, winter wouldn’t be complete without our cherished tradition: cookie decorating! The kitchen came alive as Kseniia, Alejandra, and Sofiya gathered around the table, ready to transform plain sugar cookies into edible masterpieces.

Armed with bowls of vibrantly colored frosting, the girls set to work. Each had their own creative flair, from intricate colorful designs to cheerful holiday motifs like candy canes and Christmas trees. Alejandra meticulously decorated her cookies, while Kseniia and Sofiya leaned into bold, vibrant colors for a modern twist.

The kitchen was filled with chatter, laughter, and the occasional playful frosting fight. By the end of the session, the table was a kaleidoscope of beautifully decorated cookies, each reflecting the unique personality of its creator. This simple but joyful activity brought everyone closer together, proving once again that traditions, especially ones involving frosting and creativity, are what make winter truly special.

Here you have a little video recap of our afternoon!

Haruka had an unforgettable experience as she joined the much-anticipated trip to Disneyland Paris. From the moment she, the magic of the park cast its spell. Haruka’s excitement was contagious as she explored the enchanting streets, surrounded by dazzling decorations and the cheerful melodies of the season. She wasted no time diving into the thrilling rides non-stop.

The evening brought even more wonder as Haruka watched the spectacular parade with glowing floats and lively performers. The night ended with the breathtaking fireworks display over the Castle, a sight that left everyone in awe. Throughout the trip, Haruka embraced every moment with enthusiasm, enjoying the moment with her friends, and the immersive magic of Disneyland Paris.

Last weekend, Sofiya and Ada teamed up for the gingerbread house decoration competition, and the results were nothing short of sweet! The two girls decided to combine their creativity and skills to build a house that would stand out. They started with the basics—carefully assembling the gingerbread walls, making sure each piece fit perfectly. As they worked, laughter filled the air, with playful debates over the best frosting technique and candy placement.

Once the house was built, the real fun began: decorating! Sofiya took charge of the roof, covering it with a blanket of snow-like icing and placing colorful gumdrops in a neat pattern. Meanwhile, Ada focused on the windows, adorning them with little chocolates. Together, they crafted a gingerbread masterpiece.

Last Sunday, Alejandra visited the enchanting Montreux Christmas Market, a true gem nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva. The market, with its charming wooden chalets adorned with twinkling lights, offered a festive atmosphere brimming with holiday spirit. Ale strolled through the bustling aisles, marveling at the handcrafted gifts, and savoring the aroma of spiced hot chocolate.

The highlight of the day was the stunning scenery surrounding the market. The shimmering lake mirrored the snow-capped Alps, creating a picturesque backdrop.

Manuela has set her sights on an ambitious goal: completing the Geneva Half Marathon in May. As part of her preparation, she runs and goes to the gym daily. In addition, she decided to take on a unique challenge by participating in the Escalade Race, a beloved tradition held in Geneva every December. This event, known for its lively atmosphere and winding city streets, was the perfect test of her endurance and determination.

Running through the historic old town with cheering crowds spurred her on, making the experience unforgettable. For Manuela, the Escalade Race wasn’t just a warm-up; it was a milestone. Each stride brought her closer to her half-marathon dream, proving that persistence and passion can transform any goal into reality.

This weekend was filled with fun and learning for Kseniia and Alejandra as they embraced their passions in unique ways. Kseniia spent her Saturday at our culinary club, diving into the art of cooking. Under the guidance of the chef, she learned to prepare a mouthwatering grilled chicken with mushrooms risotto. From mastering the perfect sear on the chicken to ensuring the risotto was creamy and flavorful, Kseniia discovered the joys of crafting a restaurant-worthy dish. Her excitement was palpable as she shared her newfound skills and her delicious creation with her friends.

Meanwhile, Alejandra headed to the tennis club for a lively session with her friends. The crisp morning air and the sound of tennis balls being volleyed created the perfect backdrop for an energetic workout. Ale worked on her serves, practiced her backhand, and enjoyed the camaraderie of friendly matches. Her love for the game shone through, and the friendly competition left everyone inspired.

While Kseniia explored flavors in the kitchen, Alejandra honed her skills on the court. Both girls embraced their weekend with enthusiasm, showcasing the diversity of activities available in our clubs and proving that weekends are for growth, fun, and memorable experiences.

Last Thursday we hosted our last Dinner in the House event before the Winter break. The girls enjoyed a delightfully Greek evening filled with pita bread, kebab meat, and Greek salad. Some of our girls had activities or meetings and we weren’t able to all sit together for dinner, but we can assure you everyone left the kitchen with a full stomach and some new stories to share.

Since her arrival in August, Alejandra likes to spend her Saturday mornings on the tennis court. Every weekend, she practices tirelessly, perfecting her serve and working on her agility. Tennis isn’t just a hobby for Alejandra; it’s a way to challenge herself, stay active, and unwind from the stress of school.

As the holiday season approaches, our house embraces the Christmas spirit with open hearts and creative minds. This year, the excitement was palpable as we gathered to transform our home into a festive wonderland. Strings of colorful lights twinkled in the kitchen, while ornaments and cheerful decorations injected warmth and joy in our entrance. We came together, scattering garlands across the handrail and sticking stickers on the windows, each contributing our unique flair to the decor.

Our boarding house, typically a place of study and rest, now buzzed with festive spirit and collaborative energy.

This year, our holiday decor has not only beautified our home but also strengthened our bond as a community. The tree stands proudly in the entrance of the house so anyone can see it as they come visit us, shining as a testament to our shared experiences, respect, and friendship.

Last night we celebrated the Boarding Award Ceremony where we celebrate our amazing boarders!

Manuela was recognized with the Boarding Life Award for her kindness and commitment to our community.

Alejandra’s busy weekends and afternoons with different activities earned her the Boarding Activity Awards.

The last award of the night went to Haruka who won a Boarding Academic Award for achieving outstanding results in the IB2 diploma.

On Tuesday we had a meeting with our 10th grader who participated in a well-being session as part of our wellbeing program to conclude Pillar I: Online Safety. With this session we wanted our student to understand three key points:

• Have you heard of sextortion?
• Do you know what it means to be blackmailed?
• What would you do if someone threatened you online?

As House Parents, it very important to give tools to our students to protect themselves online and to promote a better use of social medias. As teenagers, most of our student have had access to internet and it’s risk at a very young age and it is our role and responsibility to make sure they understand who to navigate the digital world with responsibility.

We also discussed the importance of sharing with an adult or with someone you trust.

Ada had a fantastic evening playing Les Loups-Garous de Thiercelieux with her friends. This strategic and thrilling party game, set in a mysterious village plagued by werewolves, brings out Ada’s competitive spirit and love for social deduction. The group has turned their game nights into a fun competition, tracking who racks up the most wins. Whether she’s a cunning werewolf or a clever villager, Ada enjoys every moment of plotting, guessing, and laughing with her friends. It’s not just about winning—it’s about the shared excitement and unforgettable memories created around the game table. Who will claim victory next?

Yesterday, Manuela and her team, representing CDL, played an exciting final match against La Châtaigneraie in the ADISR Girls Romandie Cup. Manuela showcased her talent by scoring a brilliant goal, sparking moments of hope and celebration for her team. Despite their valiant effort, the CDL girls narrowly missed victory and returned home with a well-deserved silver medal. More than the outcome, the girls cherished every moment on the field, sharing their passion for the sport they love. The final was a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and joy, leaving them with memories to treasure and motivation for future triumphs.

This Wednesday, Ada and her friends gathered for our weekly international dinner, and this time, the spotlight was on the Philippines. The meal featured a classic Filipino staple: flavorful chicken served with steamed rice. Simple yet comforting, it showcased the essence of Filipino cuisine—delicious and heartwarming. As they enjoyed the meal, Ada and her friends shared stories, laughter, and a growing appreciation for the culture behind the food. The evening was another beautiful reminder of how these dinners bring people together, celebrating diversity one dish at a time. Mabuhay to another memorable gathering!

This weekend was a whirlwind of fun and activity in Villa Ecureuil! Kseniia joined the Culinary Club and mastered the art of preparing a delicious Italian tiramisu, impressing everyone with her newfound skills. Meanwhile, Manuela hit the tennis courts with friends and followed it up with an energizing run, making the most of her Saturday. Sunday brought even more excitement as we headed out for an afternoon of karting. Although two of our girls couldn’t join us, we kept them in our thoughts and still enjoyed a perfect day together. The weekend was full of laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable memories!

Last weekend Ada embarked on a journey to discover the German side of Switzerland and the beauty of the city of Lucerne. Starting point the school, the students enjoyed a trainride where they relaxed and they let themselves amaze by the stunning views of the Lake Geneva and the Swiss countryside. Away from school and homework, it was time to disconnect from the routine and enjoy the long weekend ahead. Ada had an unforgettable experience with her friends discovering this city in the heart of Switzerland.

They did plenty of different activities and they discovered all the secrets the city had to offer. But one of the highlight of the weekend was without a doubt taking the cable car to visit the top of the Mount Pilatus, where they soaked up the beautiful landscape and panoramic picture from the city and Lake Lucerne.

Overall it was the perfect get away weekend ❤️

Weekends at the boarding house are always a great opportunity for the girls to unwind, try new things, and bond with each other outside of the usual school routine. This weekend was no exception, as we enjoyed a mix of creative cooking sessions and some friendly competition on the tennis court. Overall, it was a perfect balance of teamwork, fun, and laughter—just what we needed to recharge for the week ahead!

Our House Representatives, including our dear Manuela,  have come up with an exciting new initiative to boost house spirit and camaraderie within the house! Every two weeks, they’ll present a unique challenge for all houses to tackle together. These challenges are designed to be fun, creative, and engaging, offering everyone a chance to bond and have some fun. This first’s week challenge is a Word Search. We already had our two first girls finding words: Kseniia and Alejandra. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to celebrate, connect with one another, and make lasting memories along the way!

Today is that monthly Thursday when we come together as a house and have dinner in our beloved home. Although tonight we were missing some girls (Haruka is in Chamonix spending the weekend, Sofiya is on a trip to Paris with her family and Alejandra was supporting a friend who was playing a very important game), Kseniia, Ada, and Manuela sat down together to share some experiences, laughs and, of course, food!

We are always so excited to share and start eating that we always forget to get a picture with our dinner!

Nights like this allow the girls to reunite and get to know each other better!

Physical activity is essential for overall well-being, improving both physical and mental health. It boosts energy, enhances mood, and reduces stress while building strength and endurance. To encourage students to embrace a healthier lifestyle, we’re launching the November Fitness Challenge! Each day in November, students will have the chance to complete a specific, fun fitness challenge, helping them stay active and build healthy habits. Whether it’s the creation of a healthy snack, a box jumps, or a treasure hunt, these daily activities promote consistency and community. Join us in making fitness a priority this month—small steps can lead to big changes!

Although Halloween was three days ago, Kseniia and her friend decided the spooky fun wasn’t over just yet! Gathering supplies, they transformed their friends with creative Halloween-inspired makeup. Sofiia transformed one friend into the Joker, with intense green hair, smeared red lips, and dark, dramatic eyes while Kseniia They gathered to do Halloween-inspired makeup on their male friends, creating some incredible looks. Kseniia transformed one friend into the Joker, with intense green hair, smeared red lips, and dark, dramatic eyes. Another friend sported an eerie zombie clown look, complete with pale skin and haunting shadows. Laughter and excitement filled the room as they admired each other’s chilling transformations. It was the perfect way to extend Halloween, making unforgettable memories and bringing a little more magic to November.

On Saturday morning, Haruka and her friends enjoyed a delightful pottery painting class in Geneva. They gathered around tables full of colors and each one of them selected a unique ceramic piece to decorate. With brushes in hand, they let their creativity flow, blending colors, experimenting with patterns, and sharing plenty of laughs. Haruka chose an ocean theme, painting a graceful whale and a sleek manta ray, capturing the beauty of marine life. Her friends experimented with everything from bold geometric shapes to playful doodles, each creation as unique as its artist. The studio was filled with laughter and creative energy. Their painted ceramics became cherished keepsakes and reminders of a joyful, creative morning together. We can not wait to see the final result!

On Thursday we celebrated the most scary day of the year… or is it?

Halloween at our boarding community was a complete success! On Thursday morning each house showcased the pumpkin creations the students had worked on the night before. We saw some terrifying designs that would keep even sleeping beauty awake at night!

The night continued with a lively trick-or-treat event where our students paraded in an impressive mix of “scary” and funny costumes, from classic ghosts to hilarious movie characters. Laughter and shrieks filled the air as they collected candy from boarding houses and local houses, ending the night with bags brimming with treats. It was a fantastic evening full of Halloween spirit, spooky fun, and an incredible candy haul for everyone!

The October break arrives after two months of classes and a hectic routine in the boarding house. The past weeks have been filled with events, trips, time to study, and lots of fun. Now, the holiday offers a chance to step away from the routine, unwind, and recharge. Whether heading off on a family trip or taking time to relax, this break is a perfect opportunity to reflect on recent accomplishments and recharge for the upcoming term. After weeks of hard work, it’s time to relax, enjoy new experiences, and return refreshed.

If you don’t want to miss any news over the year, we recommend you download the CDL News App where you will find plenty of interesting and important information, such as the school calendar, important events and the Boarding Newsletter:

News App | Collège du Léman (nordangliaeducation.com)

Happy holidays!

Today, during our monthly Boarding Assembly, Alejandra went on stage with other fellow Mexican students to introduce to the boarding community the Dia de Muertos.

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English, is a Mexican tradition that honors deceased loved ones with joy and celebration rather than mourning. It is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November Observed on November 1st and 2nd. As a tradition, families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, candles, marigolds, and offerings such as food and mementos to welcome the spirits back for a day. Calaveras (sugar skulls), pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and vibrant parades are part of the festivities. The holiday emphasizes remembering the dead as a natural part of life, keeping their memories alive through storytelling and ritual.

Despite her initial fear of speaking in public, Alejandra did an amazing job sharing her tradition with the rest of us.

Despite the cold weather and the heavy rains, we’ve had this past week, the girls enjoyed a chilly weekend and stayed busy with different activities like tennis, cooking, running club, and horse riding.

Today we celebrated our annual 5 kilometers boarding race with 24 students participating. With this initiative created by Miss Perrine, we want to encourage students to move their bodies and stay active. having a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly can help us not only physically but also mentally. It can help us to sleep better, have more energy during the day, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Haruka, following her prefect duties helped with the organization of the race, encouraging and supporting the runners and guiding them through the path.

Congratulations to all the participants!

It has become a tradition for Manuela to meet with her friends on Friday night in one of our boarding houses and make Brigadeiro. On this occassion, other students from other countries joined and all toghether they prepared different international dishes from Italy, Japan and the Czech Republic.

Lots of love,

Maria & Lina 🐿️

On Thursday, Manuela and the Panthers football team made their way to the International School of Lausanne to play the first game of the season. The CDL team dominated the game with an impressive 11-1 victory. Manuela was one of the stars of the team, after scoring 5 incredible goals throughout the game. The team worked in perfect harmony, creating multiple scoring opportunities and defending fiercely.

Well done girls!

Lots of love,

Maria & Lina🐿️

Manuela is definitely well integrated in her fitness routine: whenever she is not at home or at school, it is always assumed she is either at the gym, on a run or joining one of the several sports activities offered by CDL. 💪

If you look under the photo of Ale with her mom, you will notice a large group of students with beaming smiles. This joyful atmosphere comes all the way from Germany, more specifically from Europa Park. ✨

As every year, the number of students joining this funny trip has been impressive, and it’s true: the more of us there are, the more fun we have! Kseniia spent the weekend at Europa-Park, enjoying all the exciting attractions and thrilling rides. She had a fantastic time exploring the park and making fun memories! 🎢🎡

With love,

Maria & Lina 🐿️

At Collège du Léman, we like to give students a platform to express themselves and help enrich our community. We are pleased to announce this year’s role within the house. Each one of these girls has been selected for their role having in mind their involvement with the community, with the house, their communication skills, and their motivation to be the change future generations need. We wish them all the best of luck, we are sure you will do great!

Lots of love,

Maria & Lina🐿️

We can’t believe it has already been a month on campus! Time flies by when having a good time and keeping busy.

This weekend Ada wanted to try Wakeboard, but as the wind has been crazy on this side of the lake she decided to put on her boots and go for a horse riding class! She was a natural rider and, although she didn’t like the smell of horses, she had a blasting time!

Haruka decided to spend her Saturday afternoon helping by the lake with the annual Lake Clean up. She joined forces with other boarders and all together made an impact on our lake, making sure to pick up any trash they might find on the way. Thank you Haruka for helping the community!

Lots of love,

Maria and Lina  🐿️

Today we hosted our first monthly Dinner in the House event.

On days like this one, we all reunite in our kitchen and enjoy a delicious dinner filled with laughs, conversation, and joy. Lasagna and tiramisu were the two stars of this dinner and it didn’t deceive! The girls loved it and had several servings! Although the weather is feeling much colder than last week, our hearts were warmed up by the family atmosphere everyone could sense in our home. We can not wait for the next house event

With love,

Maria and Lina🐿️

This weekend, our girls hit the mountains in Verbier, and it was an absolute blast! They tried everything from hiking and mountain scootering to biking and rock climbing. And let’s not forget the adventure in the rope course! After all that action, they explored the town and chilled over some great dinners with friends.

Sunday was all about fun team games, and we came back with a ton of great memories (and maybe a little tired!). Starting a new week of classes after such a wild weekend won’t be easy, but it was so worth it! These pretty girls are total rockstars, and we know they’re going to crush it this week!

All this, is CDL 🩷

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Despite being a bit overwhelmed with homework and the pressure of getting prepared for exams, Ada didn’t back out from attending her first badminton class. Her curiosity and willingness to learn this sport, even during such a busy time, is truly commendable. 👏🏻

Here’s to a new great experience! 😍

Ecureuil team 🧡

Weekends are a refreshing escape from the weekly routine, offering time to relax, recharge, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

On Friday Manuela went to Dégallier 56 to have dinner with her friends. Together they prepared a Brazilian dessert called Brigadeiro. They enjoyed a lovely night full of laughs and music. Manuela came back home with a little piece of Brigadeiro so the rest of the girls could try it. Ada gave it a 9 out of 10 and Ale was pleasantly surprised by the taste of it.

On Saturday morning, Haruka attended a cooking class where she learned how to prepare a Poke bowl with a base of rice noodles.  Haruka enjoyed mastering this flavorful and healthy dish, adding a new skill to her culinary repertoire. She shared her creations with the rest of the house!

At the same time, Manuela joined the running club, before heading to the gym to finish a magnificent fitness routine. During the run, she discovered the beautiful landscape surrounding the school. She is even thinking of participating in the Geneva Marathon weekend!

Ale and Sofiya engaged in two different racket activities! Ale played tennis for the first time in a few years and Sofi continued to develop her badminton skills.

Ada enjoyed so much her last week’s activity so she decided to head back to the lake to try, this time, the banana boat.

Sunday was a more relaxed day. The girls enjoyed our lovely brunch and headed to the lake to lay down on the grass and take advantage of the sunny afternoon (right before the storm, of course).

Ecureuil team 🐿️

We all know what happens on Wednesday evenings, right?

Last night we officially welcomed back Sofiya, who just arrived from the holidays. After discussing some details for the Discovery Days and the Mountain weekend, the girls stayed longer in the living room sharing experiences and getting to know each other.

Ecureuil team 🐿️

It is truly incredible to see how Manuela’s exceptional football skills turn so effortlessly into volleyball. Her ability to adapt in different sports highlights her versatility and athletic talent. 🤗

This kind of proactive attitude of students who are eager to explore and learn more is essential for the own personal growth: it is by seeking out new experiences and challenges that students become more well-rounded individuals.

Congratulations to you! 🥳

Ecureuil team 🧡

During the first weekend of the new school year all the girls found their own way to recharge and prepare for the second week:

Manuela decided to spend time in Geneva with her new friend arrived in Ecureuil, Alejandra;

Ada strengthened bonds with her new friends on campus;

Haruka chose some quality family time, spending the weekend with her mom;

Kseniia reconnected with those friends who are back on campus.

We are ready… let’s begin the second week! 🤩

All the best,

Ecureuil team 🧡

For the first time in Villa Ecureuil, we have a boarding prefect! Haruka was chosen among other students to represent the student boarder community and help improve the boarding experience. Congratulations on this nomination, Haruka, and the best of luck 🍀🍀

Lots of love,

Ecureuil team

Today we had our first boarding assembly to welcome back all our students and, afterward, we enjoyed a lovely and delicious Swiss dinner. The girls had a great time meeting new friends from different houses and countries.

Today was also their first day of school, and although they were nervous to meet their teachers and new classmates, they all agreed it was not as scary as they first thought!

Lots of love,

Ecureuil team 🐿️

Let us present you our new Ecureuil girls!

In addition to Haruka, Kseniia, and Sofiya, this year we also have Ada, Manuela, and Alejandra with us. We are sure the girls will have a great experience and we will make sure to show you their daily life in the boarding house.

For now, here you have a lovely picture at our very first breakfast together!

Lots of love,

Maria, Lina & Irene

Ecureuil team is on campus and thrilled to welcome back all of you, girls. We hope you had a wonderful time with your family and friends, and that you are feeling recharged and ready for a new year full of exciting opportunities. As we embark on a new chapter of our journey together, we look forward to seeing you making new friendships, tackle challenges, experience the satisfaction of your achievements, and enjoy the many activities our school offers.

See you soon,

Irene, Maria and Lina 🧡

We can not believe it’s been 316 days since we started this school year!

The year has gone by so fast and we are finally heading into this deserved summer break. All the girls are already back home and we will also be heading home in the next few hours to enjoy the sun and the good weather (if you are not staying in Switzerland, of course).

The Ecureuil team wishes all the girls and their families a lovely summer break. We want to thank you for your support during this year. We will see you again in August!

Lina and Maria.

This Sunday was full of joy and fun! We enjoyed many incredible activities at the school’s end-of-year party.
Between bungee jumping, foam in the garden, swimming, Sumo wrestling and much more, the girls had fun and laughed all afternoon! All this while enjoying ice cream and popcorn between activities. It was an amazing and memorable day! 💫

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This weekend the house has been very quiet. Monday 10th marks the start of the exam season and our girls have been preparing themselves thoroughly to make sure they excel in their exams.

Each girl has a different favorite spot to study: Haruka likes the quietness of her room, Sofiya likes the office space, Fields the kitchen, and Kseniia her room.

On the other hand, our two new guests, Yufei and Adela, prefer the busy ambiance of the library.

We wish them all plenty of good luck. We are sure they will get amazing results as their hard work will pay off.

Summer is almost there girls!!

Maria and Lina🐿️

Today, Sofiya got a formal invitation to participate in the  “Weaves of Asia” Fashion Show organized by the Asian Ambassador’s Wives Association of Geneva.

During the day, she had the chance to learn how a Fashion Show is organized and the little secrets behind the scenes. She represented Turkmenistan and dressed in traditional Turkmen clothes.

Sofiya was delighted by the gorgeous dresses and fabrics displayed at the event. She had the opportunity to meet people from different Asian countries and to discover new cultures through their fashion.

  
Maria and Lina 🐿️

Yesterday Ms Perrine and Ms Iola organized a fun mid-week activity to reward the students who participated in the May Fitness Challenge!

Sofiya was happy to accept the challenge and made her way through the track speeding and having fun with the other students. After this amazing afternoon, they headed to have dinner in a burger restaurant, and came back home with a huge smile on her face.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This weekend, on Saturday, we attended the graduation ceremony of the class of 2024.

All students, boarders, and day students, collected their diplomas on one day that will always accompany them. We saw our girls graduate in front of their classmates, teachers, families, and us, their House Parents. It was a very emotive ceremony where two of our boarders performed on stage, showcasing their piano skills.

As House Parents, we have seen our students fight for their goals and study to achieve them. We have laughed and cried with them, supported them in moments of distress, and always with a big smile to comfort them.

Now it’s time for us to say goodbye and wish them luck in their future endeavors, should it be New York City, Dallas, London, or Geneva. And although we will miss them greatly, we are sure our paths will cross again and we will see how they have accomplished their goals.

Akmaral, Bruna, Ana Lucia, Ana Sofia, Defne, and Mia: thank you for an amazing year.

This past 4 weeks we have been working with our students about peer pressure, how it works, and how it can affect our lives and decision-making.

To wrap up this pillar, our well-being advocates have created this conclusion video answering some of our boarder’s questions.

Thank you, Mr. Manu and the pillar advocates for your hard work these past few weeks!

Lina and Maria 🐿️

And finally, we saw the sun! After a long and rainy weekend, we are delighted to see again our blue sky and the sun (even if it will only last until Thursday).

Haruka didn’t want to miss the chance to get some fresh air while revising for her exams and was the first one to use our new terrasse. We are sure the girls will enjoy spending time in our lovely garden once the temperature goes up.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Although the cooking activity had to be canceled this weekend, Sofiya and Haruka didn’t want to miss the chance to put their cooking skills into practice in the house.

Haruka never (never) eats vegetables, but if it’s in Bibimbap she absolutely loves them. Saturday morning she put all hands on deck and cooked one of her favorite Korean meals. As you can see in the picture, it’s a mix of rice, many different vegetables, an egg, and a spicy sauce.

On her side, in the afternoon, Sofiya went for a quick supermarket trip and bought the ingredients she needed to make Khachapuri, one of her favorite traditional Georgian meals. Khachapuri is a bread filled with Georgian cheese and, if preferred, topped with an egg.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

On this sunny long weekend, Akmaral and Sofiya attended a tennis tournament at the Gonet Geneva open. It was Sofiya’s first time taking part, and she really enjoyed it! 🎾

With the fine weather, the girls also went chilling and swimming in the lake. 🏞️

It was a calm and relaxing weekend.

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Our Grade 12 and Ib2 students have been working very hard for the last couple of weeks to prepare for their end-of-year exams. It will soon be time to say goodbye and see you soon, as we will have the chance to see them again one last time at their graduation ceremony in June.

Today we say goodbye to Defne, who will be finishing her IB2 exams on Friday.

Akmaral, Bruna, Defne, Ana Sofia, Ana Lucia, and Mia, we wish you the best of luck, we are sure you are going to do amazing. We are really proud of you ♥️

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Today marks the first time we say “last”. Today we had our last dinner in the house and to celebrate we enjoyed a delicious lasagna and tiramisu. The girls gathered around the table and enjoyed a relaxing dinner sharing memories.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This week we talked about the importance of decision-making and how difficult it can be when it comes to important decisions.

Our advocate team prepared an informative video offering our students different tips to navigate the decision-making progress and they have summed them up in this poster.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Last night, as part of our International dinner program, we enjoyed pulled beef tacos with delicious guacamole that made part of our students go (literally) nuts for it.

Lina and Maria 🐿️

The tragedy has already claimed over 80 lives in 336 municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. More than 1 million homes don’t have electricity. Families are now being rescued after being stranded for a week without clean water, food, or medicine. Volunteers from all over the country are coming to the south with boats and kayaks to help find people and animals.

Bruna and other Brazilian students went to different houses to raise awareness of the current situation in Brazil and to raise funds.

Our full support goes to our Brazilian students, their families, and to all the victims of this disaster.

A big thank you also to Maria, who created this poster. ❤

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This weekend’s weather is all we’ve been dreaming about since November. Students went down to the lake to enjoy the sun and relax before the exam season started.

Sofiya had a lovely birthday picnic in our garden with a few friends before heading to her beloved activity of the semester: boxing. Week after week Sofiya enjoys going to the Versoix Boxing Club and give the punching bag a hard time.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Ciao a tutti,

this weekend Fields embarked on a trip to Venice, Italy. Along with other students, she discovered the wonderful streets of the “City of Canals”. Founded 1602 years ago, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities, not only in the Adriatic Sea but in the whole world.

In addition to eating plenty of pasta, pizza, lasagna, and gelato, Fields visited the Palazzo Ducale, situated in Piazza San Marcos. They also got lost in the streets of Murano, an island very close to Venice where they learned about the art of making glass. Before coming back to Geneva, they visited La Fenice, one of the oldest and most famous theaters in the history of Italy.

Arrivederci, Venezia. Next stop…?

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Today is a bank holiday in Switzerland and therefore all stores, restaurants, and gathering places are closed.

Kseniia and her friends didn’t want to miss the opportunity of the lovely weather we have today and organized a barbecue! Mr. Nacho was kind enough to open the door of his home and let them do the barbecue in Villa Franconis. Fun, laughs, screaming and lots of joy were shared between all of them.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

In this week’s takeaway, we discussed how peer pressure can affect our decisions. For this, our amazing Advocates group created this poster to help other students identify peer pressure and how to avoid it.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

On May 4, Defne turned 18. What an important date! Turning 18 means so many things, like independence, responsibility, and becoming an adult. But no pressure Defne, you’ll always be your parents’ baby, just like all of us. 😂

We wish you a magical birthday, and all the best for this new year as a young adult. 🩷

On May 6, it was Sofiya’s turn. She turned 17, the best age! No adult problems yet, but mature enough to do what she wants. It’s such a pleasure for us to have Sofiya in the house. Very kind, polite, and intelligent girl. On top of that, she’s so pretty, what more could we ask for? Happy birthday, we love you!! 🩷

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Boxing was on Sofiya and Kseniia’s agenda this weekend. I think they’ve found a new passion, they’re so talented! 🥊 

Like every Sunday, it’s Pilates for Akmaral. A good way to take a break between studying. Good for the body, good for the mind! 💪

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Millions of Orthodox Christians around the globe join in the celebration of Easter, the most significant event in their religious calendar. This joyous occasion is a culmination of fasting, prayer, and deep spiritual reflection.

Orthodox Easter is more than just a day. It ends Lent, a period of self-discipline. The Easter celebrations are full of traditions, symbolism, and heartfelt rituals that have been passed down from generation to generation. 🌸

We wish to all of our students and colleagues who are celebrating it a blessed and wonderful Easter. 🐣🥚

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Our last well-being pillar was launched on Wednesday during our Boarding Assembly. Over the next few weeks, our incredible team of advocates will be talking and discussing how to make safe and responsible choices.

We are pleased to have Sofiya as our own advocate for the house! We will be sharing more information every week. Stay tuned!

Lina and Maria 🐿️

Kseniia is passionate about tennis; she has been playing for as long as she can remember being able to walk. She doesn’t miss a chance to watch any ATP tournament on TV. Last night it was time to support Medvédev, a tennis player she is very fond of. Unfortunately, he had to retire but Kseniia was still happy he had the chance to play for a full set despite his injury.

Maria and Lina 🐿️

We are pleased to introduce you to our May Fitness Challenge! Each day students will be challenged to do a different activity and will be able to win special rewards! With this initiative we want students to forget about their textbooks for 5 minutes a day and get involved in some stress-relieving activities before their End of Year exams next month.

Yesterday Sofiya was our house winner, after flipping her water bottle 14 times in just a minute!

How will today’s challenge go?

Maria and Lina 🐿️

After our monthly Boarding Assembly on Wednesday, the girls enjoyed a delicious and typical American dinner, with ribs, chicken wings, Caesar’s salad, and various desserts such as cookies, donuts, or brookies.

We had sun and rain this weekend, but this didn’t stop Sofiya from enjoying her weekend.

Sofiya has been trying out new activities since we arrived from the February break. This time it was time to give it a try to boxing. As you can see, she didn’t fail to amaze us all with her skills!

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Our grade 12 girls have only a few weeks left of school before going on Study leave to prepare for their end-of-year exams.

We know they are working hard, so we wanted to treat them with homemade cookies.

Chocolate hazelnut cookies or brownie cookies? Which one do you prefer?

Maria and Lina 🐿️

On the 22nd of April, we celebrated International Mother Earth Day. The whole boarding community got together to raise awareness of the importance of keeping our planet clean and plastic’s impact on our lives and the entire ecosystem we live in.

This weekend Akmaral and Kseniia spent quality time on the court, refining their techniques and enjoying the thrill of the game. Armed with their rackets, tennis shoes, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm, they braved cold temperatures to enjoy an hour of sport. 💪

with love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Spring is treating Geneva very well, and you will find flowers, animals, and spectacular weather everywhere you look. After a more than deserved 2 weeks of Easter break, the house has opened its doors again to welcome the girls for the last 3 months of classes. We hope the girls had a lovely break and recharged their batteries for the final push!

Maria and Lina 🐿️

As the Easter bells ring out and the first buds open, the Easter vacations offer students a welcome opportunity to relax, recharge their batteries and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Whether exploring new horizons, immersing yourself in a good book or simply basking in the sun, the Easter vacations are the ideal time to recharge your batteries.

After months of hard work at school, the spring break is the perfect opportunity to take a well-deserved break before the final stretch of the school year.

We hope the girls have a wonderful vacation!

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Tonight we had the chance to attend our first boarding play.

The play, directed by Miss Iola and Mr. Ronan was a funny representation of when bad things happen to good actors during a representation of their play. The students’ performances were brilliant and we all had some good laughs.

We can’t wait to see their next play!

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Lately, our Villa Ecureuil girls have been choosing very active activities for their weekends, and the truth is that there is no better way to spend their free time!

On Saturday morning Sofiya put on her climbing shoes and headed to the climbing wall to enjoy the views all from the top.

In the afternoon, Kseniia left the house focused on enjoying a frenetic boxing session. After a quick warming session with the jumping rope, Kseniia put on her gloves and jumped to the ring to “fight” against one Concha Annexe boy.

Akmaral, on Sunday, headed to the Dance Room to “enjoy” a pilates lesson. One of the students there was a Champs des Bois kid who, from what Akmaral said, was the best in the class! She returned exhausted but very happy she moved a bit during the weekend.

Best,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Last Wednesday we celebrated our annual Boarding Talent Show. The girls came up with a funny performance of Bruno Mars’ song ‘Uptown Funk’. they rehearsed very hard and, although we had some technical issues during our performance, they had a lovely time and enjoyed it! Unfortunately, we only managed to score 12th position. Fair to say that some houses had amazing performances!

Best,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Tonight we celebrated the Persian New Year with all of our students and we welcomed our beloved Spring season, which has brought us amazing weather and some lovely sunrays.

May this new year bring joy, health, and happiness to everyone.

Best,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This weekend was full of different activities!

Festichoc is an annual chocolate festival held in Versoix. It brings together several Swiss and foreign chocolatiers. It’s the biggest chocolate festival in Switzerland! Admission is free, and you can sample as many chocolates as you like. What more could you ask for? 😍 It looks so yummy!!

Check out this amazing chocolate creation made by the pastry chef of the CDL cooking team (Carolina).

Keeping with the gourmet theme, Miss Lina prepared an apple crumble. We’re lucky enough to have lots of fruit at our disposal. Sometimes, some of them don’t get eaten, so we might as well make a nice cake out of them! 🍎

Food aside, many of our students took part in the charity football tournament this afternoon, which makes us extremely proud. They had a great time competing against each other, while helping to raise funds. 💪

What better way to end the weekend than with a relaxing Pilates class to recharge your batteries and prepare for another week of classes. This is what Akmaral did 😉

With love,

Maria and Lina 🐿️

We enjoyed a lovely Swiss dinner back in our house as it’s that time of the month when we celebrate dinner together in our home.

We had a lovely evening where we discovered Haruka DOES NOT eat vegetables, having a glass of milk at lunchtime is mandatory in Japan, and the girls have a specific shower in the house they like to use. Overall, it was a cozy evening where we all enjoyed sharing anecdotes.

Muslims from throughout the world celebrate the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, which begins when the crescent moon appears in the sky. Today is the opening day of a month-long journey of spiritual renewal and growth that includes fasting, prayer, and introspection. 🤲

Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and drink from dawn till dusk. It’s a time of heightened devotion, self-discipline, and compassion. It’s an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and ask for pardon for your transgressions. It’s a time for unity, generosity, and gratitude. 🩷

We send our best wishes to all of our Muslim students on this day of prosperity. We hope you experience inner peace, joy, and an abundance of blessings during this Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak to all of you and your loved ones! 🥰

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This weekend has been the weekend of discovering new activities. It was Sofiya’s first time trying the indoor climbing wall and, although her hands were very soared after an hour exploring high altitudes, she had plenty of fun and can’t wait to go again next weekend. Kseniia went on a more relaxed activity and stretched to start the week with more energy. On her side, Bruna attended an artshop dedicated to the legendary artist Zao Wou Ki. Inspired by a poem, she painted this huge painting below. After connecting with the art, she took a little stroll around Versoix and enjoyed the smell of wet grass.

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day.

Today we celebrate all the women around the world who have and are still fighting for their rights, for social equality.

Today we celebrate the amazing women who live in our house: Akmaral, Fields, Bruna, Haruka, Kseniia, and Sofiya. Thank you for fighting every day for your dreams and for what you believe in. Don’t ever let anyone stop you. We can’t be prouder to see the amazing women you are turning into.

We all know on Wednesdays we celebrate International Dinner at collège du Léman (although we still need to remind our girls every single week).

Today we traveled all the way to Canada to enjoy a delicious “Poutine” (fries, cheese, meat, and sauce) and Apple Pie with Marple Syrup.

Today we celebrate Kseniia’s 18th birthday.

We all reunited in the kitchen to sing Happy Birthday and share some delicious Cheese cream cake. We enjoyed a lovely evening discovering that 5 out of our 6 girls speak while sleeping, which sometimes can create very funny situations in the rooms.

Kseniia, we wish you all the best on this day.

Last night we enjoyed a delicious butter chicken with rice accompanied by samosas and delicious vegetables.

This international trip we embark ourselves every week allows us to embrace new cultures and discover new flavors.

During the February break, most of our students went back home, but a group of 70 students (both Boarding and Day students) embarked on an adventurous week in Crans-Montana, where they skied, snowboarded, or went ice skating, and enjoyed night activities like bingo, and bowling.

Bruna attended this winter camp for the second year in a row! She had a lovely time in the slops and got the chance to ski for the first time this season.

Both staff and students enjoy a wonderful week in the mountains. A big thank you to the Camps Department for organizing this amazing experience for our students.

Until next year, Crans-Montana!

February Break is almost over and we can’t wait to welcome back our girls in the house for this month before the Easter holidays (yes girls, just a month and you’ll be back on holiday!)

In the meantime, in this picture, you will find some clues as to what the girls have been up to during their holidays. Can you guess?

Maria and Lina 🐿️

Today we want to take this opportunity to celebrate Haruka’s 17th birthday and wish her a lovely day!

We know for a fact that she is enjoying the last few days of the holidays we have left. We can’t wait to welcome her again and celebrate with her this amazing day.

After weeks of assiduous study and extracurricular activities, this vacation is an opportunity for many students to rest and recover. Whether it’s catching up on sleep, spending time with friends and family, or discovering new interests, the February vacations provide an excellent opportunity for relaxation and self-care.

During these beautiful vacations, here is the girls’ program:

Bruna will have fun skiing in Crans Montana, Switzerland, for a week with our school. ⛷️

Sofiya will be soaking up the sun in Malaga, Spain. ☀️

Kseniia intends to explore Geneva while staying with her sister. 👯‍♀️

Fields will also be staying close by to enjoy Switzerland. 🏔️

Haruka will have fun with her family in Japan. 🥰

We hope you have an amazing February vacation, whether you’re hitting the slopes, taking in the sun, or just relaxing at home. We’ll see you at school again soon!

A bientôt !

Maria and Lina 🐿️

This week at Collège du Léman we are celebrating “internationalism” as part of our RISE program. We asked the girls to come up with what they understand as “being a global citizen”.

In addition, we also asked the girls to share with us something about their country. Could be a fun fact, something they love, or a tradition.

The best part of Valentine’s Day is that it’s not strictly reserved for romantic love between partners. Here in Boarding we also like to reinforce the meaning of having good friends and nourishing relationships, as we saw during the last Wellbeing Pillar. the love that comes from another friend it’s also a way of love, and it shouldn’t be excluded from this meaningful day.

Today students had the chance to send roses to their loved ones. You could see friends hugging each other and being thankful for their friendship while exchanging roses and cards.

The dining hall was beautifully decorated with heart-shaped chocolates and ornaments. The food was delicious and the students shared their excitement with one another, making the wait to go back home easier for everyone.

Today after brunch, Kseniia, Sofiya, Akmaral, and her friend Sangeetha, embarked on an amazing trip to Geneva. Our destination? Bain Bleu Spa & Hamman 🤩

After taking the train and the bus, the girls immersed themselves in a completely relaxing experience. First, they visited the Hamman, where they enjoyed different rooms where they could relax, such as saunas, swimming pool, and hot stones siesta.

Afterward, it was time to go to the rooftop pool to admire the views of the lake and the mountains.

The experience was so soothing, that we had to fight not to fall asleep on the way back to school.

Today we celebrate Fields’ 17th birthday!

Although she is not spending the weekend with us, we still want to wish her a lovely birthday and lots of happiness for this year.

Dinner in the House is a boarding event we all look forward to.  Last night the girls were even happier when they saw that we had lasagne for dinner! They all came quickly downstairs to finish setting up the table and start eating one of their preferred dishes.  We ended up discovering Sofiya’s mom and Bruna’s sister are pregnant and expecting next month!!

We talked about our families, our brothers and sisters, and how many cousins we have (just for reference, Bruna couldn’t say the number of cousins… bear in mind she had 11 uncles from her dad’s side!!!).

We had a lovely dinner where we continued to get to know each other. We can’t wait for the month’s dinner!

This year, many East Asian countries will celebrate the Lunar New Year on the 10th of February. This day marks the beginning of a new year based on the cycles of the moon. The festival is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and paying respect to ancestors. Each year is symbolized by one of the twelve zodiac animals, with this year being the Year of the Dragon. Festivities typically include dragon dances, fireworks, red lanterns, and the giving of red envelopes filled with money for good luck. It is a time for reflection, renewal, and wishing for prosperity in the year ahead. The Lunar New Year is a vibrant and joyous occasion that brings people together to celebrate traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

Tonight, for our International Dinner, we had the pleasure of celebrating this day with all our East Asian students celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Birthdays are always special occasions, and what better way to celebrate than with a homemade cake?

Join us in spreading some birthday joy as we gather around to bake and decorate a special cake for our fabulous house parent: Miss Maria!

We want to thank you for your investment, your kindness, and for being an extraordinary House Parent (and colleague).

🎁🎊 Let’s make her 26th birthday unforgettable! 🥳🎉

A special thank you to Bruna for preparing this delicious vanilla cake, and to Akmaral for sublimating it in such an incredible way!! 😍

🌍🎶 And because birthdays are a global celebration, let’s wish Miss Maria a Happy Birthday in different languages!

In CDL, we stand up for diversity, and this magical video we sent to Miss Maria is a wonderful example.

In this video, you will hear: Bruna in Portuguese, Haruka in Japanese, Kseniia in Russian, Akmaral in Kazakh, Sofiya in Armenian, and Miss Lina in French. Unfortunately, we are missing Fields for English, so we have decided to finish with English all together. 🩷

We wish all the best to Miss Maria, and again:

BON ANNIVERSAIRE from Switzerland! 

Miss Lina 🐿️

Today’s wellbeing session evolved on how to identify if we are good or bad friends/partners. We all think we are well aware of how to identify when someone is treating us wrongly but sometimes we can be so mesmerized with that person that we can not see the signs of them treating us badly.

For this, we presented the girls with an interesting Kahoot with different scenarios and they had to identify if each scenario was a green, a yellow, or a red flag.

This interactive activity allowed us to identify different scenarios and listen to everyone’s opinions. The girls expressed their feelings and allowed us to have a very interesting discussion about boundaries and healthy relationships. They didn’t identify any of the scenarios as yellow flags, which led us to think they are more aware of what they want in their life as a friend or a partner than what they thought.

This weekend the girls were spread out on two different campuses.

Akmaral joined the second ski weekend, this time in Crans-Montana. After attending an exam on Friday, she made her way up to the mountains to enjoy the lovely sunny (but also cold) weather the canton of Valais mountains had prepared for them. While our priority during the weekend is assuring students have fun and make the best of their time in Switzerland, we also pass on to students the importance of academics, and that’s why Akmaral decided to focus her Sunday morning on University applications and homework.

Back at CDL, and talking about University applications… we got the fantastic news: Bruna got accepted into a second university of her choice!!! We couldn’t be happier for her and the achievements she is accomplishing. We are very proud of her. We are sure we will receive many more good news regarding University applications…

As you can imagine, it was a very quiet and calm weekend here on campus. Most of the students went to the mountains, and the ones who decided to stay in Geneva spent their time studying and going to Geneva to get a break from homework.

Kindest regards,

Maria and Lina

In this third week of building positive friendships, we discussed about international friendships and microaggressions. In our boarding community, we have more than 100 different nationalities, which allows our students to connect with people from all around the world.

International friendships enrich our lives by exposing us to diverse perspectives, cultures, traditions, and ways of thinking. These connections foster mutual understanding, breaking down barriers and promoting global harmony.

However, international friendships can lead to unintended microaggressions due to cultural differences and misunderstandings. It’s crucial to approach these relationships with open-mindedness, cultural sensitivity, and a willingness to learn to avoid unintentional microaggressions and foster genuine understanding.

But, what are microaggressions? These are subtle insults, or problematic statements, typically directed at marginalized groups. They are typically based on race, ethnicity, or gender. And the statements or actions are often ambiguous enough to elicit plausible deniability. Sometimes when we try to call someone out on it, it can lead to a denial that there was any ill intent.

Last night we enjoyed a lovely Portuguese dinner where we were delighted with chicken, pork ribs, calamari, spicy potatoes, bolinhos de bacalhau, and, of course, pastéis de nata.

Best,

Maria and Lina

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Leysin offers not only breathtaking views but also a myriad of winter activities that make it an ideal destination for a memorable getaway. Girls enjoyed a journey filled with school camaraderie, snowy escapades, and the thrill of speeding down the slopes.

Our adventure began as we arrived in Leysin, greeted by the crisp mountain air and a landscape transformed into a winter wonderland. Leysin boasts a range of ski trails suitable for all levels, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts.

For a change of pace, Sofiya headed to Leysin’s tobogganing park, where the fun knows no bounds. With the snow-covered landscape as our backdrop, Sofiya and other students embarked on a tobogganing adventure, racing down the hills, and creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Enjoy these wonderful photos. 🩷

  
Villa Ecureuil 🐿️

Last week we focused on what qualities we look for in a friend when we meet new people.

Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. They help children and teenagers learn important social and emotional skills, like being sensitive to other people’s thoughts, feelings, and well-being.​

Healthy friendships and relationships occur when both people:

• Care about each other.
• Understand and respect each other and are responsible for each other.
• Solve problems together and communicate with honesty.
• Share at least some of the same goals and values.

In this second week, we want to focus on the type of friends we are. What do our friends think of us? Is there anything we can do better or improve to be a better friend to our friends?

We asked our girls to ask their friends these questions and reflect on the answers they got.

We can’t wait to share the videos with you in the next couple of days!

Best,

María and Lina.

As you might already know, last week we had a huge snowstorm and the girls didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play in the snow, making snow angels and snowmen.

Ana Sofia and Mia, two of our lovely Ecureuil Annexe neighbors, came to the house and asked us to go and play with them (we couldn’t resist, who doesn’t like to play with the snow?).

As you can imagine, we ran to put on our ski clothes and head out of the house.

   
Best,

Maria and Lina.

This weekend was the first one we spent on campus after the holidays (and the only one we will spend on campus this month… more news to come soon!).

Although we haven’t had snow for almost a week now, the weather didn’t want to give us even a minute of sun. But if you think a grey cloudy weekend can stop our girls, you really don’t know them.

As per usual, Akmaral enjoyed practicing tennis, but this weekend it was time to make up for all the weekends she didn’t practice tennis over the holidays and she decided to play twice!!

Sofiya had a blasting experience playing Laser Tag in Olympus. It was a hard battle where all the students were very well prepared and trained. Her team lost but that’s not the most important thing, since she had an amazing time and enjoyed meeting other students for this brave fight.

Last, but not for that less important, Kseniia decided to change activities for a weekend and enjoyed a nice and quiet Stretching and Relaxation session, where she listened to some music with her friends while making sure to stretch and be conscious about the movements she was doing.

Everybody is back in the house enjoying the last few hours of the weekend, getting ready for a new week and a new weekend… where we will be going to Leysin for our first Ski Weekend of the season!

Best,

Maria and Lina.

Coming back from the holidays means we now introduce the third pillar of our Wellbeing Program: Building Positive Friendships and Relationships.

In this new chapter, we are going to work with our girls on how to recognize healthy patterns in our friendships, what values we look for in our friends, how to be a good friend, and how to detect red flags in friendships, among others. We want to make sure have the tools to identify what good friends are made of.

For this, we asked the girls what they look for in a friend:

• Loyalty
• Respect
• Love
• Support
• Make me feel safe

Best,

Maria and Lina

As CDL tradition dictates, once per month we shall reunite in our home to have dinner all together. Tonight we also welcomed our Annexe neighbors, Defne, Mia, and Ana Sofia, to meet them formally, as we will be spending time with them in our lovely house.

We hope everyone had a lovely dinner.

Best,

Maria and Lina

What a crazy (but amazing), last 24 hours we had in Geneva. It started snowing yesterday before noon and it only stopped today right before 11 am!

Being inside the house, cozy with our fluffy pajamas seeing snow for hours was a lovely winter image we all had in mind before coming to Switzerland. When we woke up this morning there was snow everywhere. We had to make our way jumping (very carefully) to make it to the gate.

Our girls didn’t want to miss the chance to enjoy a snowy but cold day, and they spent most of the evening outside with their friends.

Kseniia invited some friends over to have a VERY SAFE snow fight in our garden. After they were finished, they came to the house to get warm with a nice cup of tea Kseniia prepared for them.

Best,

Maria and Lina

Welcome back! We wish you had wonderful holidays.

As you know, we have an amazing new house 😍 We’re now at the Villa Ecureuil!

Do you know what ecureuil means? It’s hard to pronounce, I know… It’s the French word for squirrel. 🐿️ It’s a cute house for cute girls!

New year means new personal and academic goals. We will help the girls achieve their goals to become the best version of themselves ! 

This weekend, Miss Lina baked a galette to celebrate the galette des rois. We also filled up on vitamins with beautiful fruits and chocolate!

We are so happy to have the girls back ❤️

A bientôt,

Maria and Lina 🐿️