A Heritage of Elegance and Global Outlook
Since its founding in 1961 as a Swiss finishing school, Surval Montreux has celebrated the art of living well. Our roots in international Savoir-Vivre and Etiquette remain part of daily life, giving every girl the poise, confidence, and cultural fluency to walk into any room in the world.
Our cultural approach blends the traditions of our Swiss home with the perspectives of our international community. With students and staff from more than 20 nationalities, Surval is a living example of diversity, mutual respect, and global understanding.
A Truly International Environment
Life at Surval is a daily cultural exchange. In classrooms, over meals, and during shared experiences, girls learn about one another’s languages, customs, celebrations, and values. This constant sharing builds friendships that cross borders and last a lifetime.
We mark cultural moments together — from national days and festivals to shared global causes — encouraging girls to both take pride in their own heritage and to embrace that of others.
Immersion in Swiss and European Culture
Our location in the French-speaking heart of Switzerland offers rich cultural experiences:
- Local traditions: from fondue evenings to Swiss National Day celebrations, girls experience authentic regional life.
- Swiss arts and heritage: visits to museums, castles, festivals, and artisan workshops.
- Seasonal experiences: Montreux’s Christmas Market, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the magic of the Alpine ski season.
- European travel: weekend and residential trips to Paris, Monaco, London, Vienna, and beyond expand cultural horizons even further.
Culture as a Skillset
At Surval, culture is not just something to enjoy, it’s something to master. Through our Etiquette programme, Culinary Arts classes, and Global erspectives curriculum, girls develop:
- Cross-cultural communication skills
- Social confidence in any setting
- An appreciation for traditions and innovation across the globe
A Survalienne Outlook
By the time they leave Surval, our students are at ease in diverse settings, comfortable navigating unfamiliar customs, and equipped with the empathy and adaptability needed to make a difference in an interconnected world. As one Survalienne shared:
"Surval taught me much about the world, gave me the ability to open up to different cultures, explore creativity in a unique way, and introduced me to friends from across the globe."
Amalia, Mexico