We are proud to share the heartfelt words of Viviana Izquierdo (2020, Mexico), a Survalienne whose journey with us started 7 years ago. In her inspiring speech that Viviana delivered at the Swiss Embassy in Mexico, a powerful testimony to the lifelong connection, confidence, and global perspective a Surval education nurtures. 

Viviana has returned to Surval as part of the team for three Summer Camps and one Winter Camp, becoming an integral part of our Surval family. With her creativity, empathy, and eye for storytelling, she captures the spirit of Surval through her photography and films—preserving the special memories our girls make and helping them stay with them forever.

Surval doesn’t lead you down the right path, but rather encourages you to create your own.

This is a line from the graduation speech I gave at Surval when I was 13 years old, and it’s an honour to be here today sharing it with you. My name is Viviana Izquierdo, a proud Survalienne, and I’d love to tell you a little about my Surval experience.

I first arrived at Surval when I was 10, walking through the wooden doors that, years later, I’d be running through with friends, bicycles, skis… family. My sister Alexa was about to start her year at Surval, and I came along as company, confused as to why anyone would want to spend so much time away from home. But it only took the laughter in the hallways, the warm smiles of the teachers, and of course, the breathtaking view over Lake Léman for me to feel the same excitement and sense of adventure that my sister did.
Three years later, I returned to those same wooden doors—but this time, with three suitcases in hand.

Learning French, travelling across Europe, trying on skis for the first time, and connecting with wonderful, unique people—my first months were a dream come true. But by February 2020, the virus we’d all been hearing about, COVID-19, began to alarm the world. By March, boarding schools across Switzerland closed their doors, and students were sent back to their home countries. Worried, I started packing my bags, assuming Surval would be no different.

But Mrs. Woodhouse stopped me and, surprised, told me: neither the school, nor she, would ever close their doors on us. We were safe at Surval—we were home.

Things changed a little: most students went home, and our planned trips were cancelled for safety. But what never changed was the school’s love and care. There were four of us, 13-year-old girls, in the middle of a pandemic, our families on the other side of the world, unsure when—or how—we’d get home. Scary, right?

Actually, no—it was the opposite. Surval made that experience even more exciting. They nurtured our curiosity, offered us an amazing programme of activities, and gave us the tools and support to continue discovering who we were, our passions, and our dreams.

With its care, warmth, and security, Surval gave me the confidence to fully express my personality, my talents, and my curiosity. As I said in that graduation speech, Surval didn’t push me to choose the right path—it inspired me to create my own, just as they did during the pandemic.

Now, at 19, I’m proud to say I am a brave, bright, and confident young woman who knows who she is—and who she wants to become. I’m proud to say I am a Survalienne.

Today, I continue returning to Surval as a member of the winter and summer camp team, and it brings me so much joy to see how the girls begin to transform from the moment they walk through that wooden door—just like I once did.

Valeria studied our Liberal Arts (now Swiss Gap) programme. She was planning to return to Venezuela to study Law, but soon realised that she didn´t want her time in Europe to end so she applied to read Law at university in Madrid, Spain; she graduates this summer. Since leaving Surval, in addition to her studies, Valeria travelled extensively with her family and participated in charity programmes with her university, giving legal advice to women victims of human trafficking. Valeria says that Surval helped her develop her focus on International Law and helped her discover her passion for charity, travelling and learning about different cultures worldwide.

Due to the pandemic, Valeria is currently back home in Venezuela, completing the final year of her degree, working on her thesis which focuses on the measures taken by the Spanish government during COVID-19.

Of her time at Surval, Valeria says

“It taught me about cultures, about how rich and wonderful is the world we live in and how many different cultures exist and that there is always a point in common from people who live in two different corners of this world. In the same respect, it taught me valuable skills such as languages, cooking abilities, business, event planning and many others. On a more personal level, Surval taught me how to be more independent, how to fight for what I´m passionate about, how to be more organized and how to travel while teaching me how to open my eyes into the world broadening my mind. It taught me that is possible to have sisters all around the world and that our future is in our own hands… Surval forged me into the woman that I am today.”

Valeria says she feels extremely lucky and excited to be a Survalienne Ambassador “because Surval is really my home and I miss it dearly, and with this it feels that I´m not really that far away. I’m looking forward to helping this wonderful school!”

Lucía joined Surval Summer Camp 2016 and returned to complete her IGCSE and A Levels here. Lucía went on to read English Law and French Law at the University of Exeter in England and plans to go on to University of Rennes in France.

Returning to Spain during the pandemic, Lucía has also been teaching languages and tutoring children and looking for ways to enrich her CV whilst also studying for her degree.

Of her time at Surval, Lucía says,

”My time at Surval taught me to never settle, to give my 100% in everything I do, and to never stop challenging myself. My time at Surval turned my life around, and made me realise that I wanted more than to just have a simple life. It not only challenged me but it also encouraged me to pursue a bigger life. It made me realise that I did not want to settle in Spain, that I wanted to continue my studies abroad, use my gift for languages and pursue a legal career within the international field."

Lucía feels this Ambassador opportunity is great, having “the chance to support and contribute to the school that gave us so many opportunities”. She is looking forward to sharing her experiences, supporting and guiding new Survaliennes.

Anastasiia joined Surval in 2017 to follow the American High School Diploma program and graduated in 2021. She was also elected Student of the Year for 2020-2021.


After graduating from Surval Montreux, Anastasiia continued her studies in the UK and is currently studying for a Business Bachelor Programme at City University of London.


Anastasiia has very fond memories of her years at Surval and says: "During my time in Surval, I learned many important life skills such as being independent and being respectful. My academic courses at Surval taught me critical thinking and communication skills.


Boarding at Surval taught me so much about other nationalities, because I met a lot of girls from other countries. We became best friends, and I am still in touch with some of the friends I met there.


At Surval we all were like sisters, it was so much fun! In my opinion, Surval gives every girl more confidence in herself and helps develop leadership skills."


Anastasiia is looking forward to her new role as a Surval Ambassador and wants to help other girls to understand what a Surval experience means. For her, Surval Montreux is not just the usual boarding school for girls, it is a life-changing place.

Ana joined Surval Montreux in September 2020 to follow the Swiss Gap Year programme. She is currently at Tulane University, New Orleans, studying International Development studies.


Ana had a fantastic experience at Surval Montreux and she says: "The Surval Swiss Gap programme prepared me for life at university and more! In my first semester at college I had to balance my time between studying, doing assignments, and exploring the city of New Orleans with my new friends, but Surval had prepared me for this, and gave me the confidence to know I can handle my new responsibilities. I have learned that as long as you believe in yourself, you will succeed."


Ana is excited about her role as a Surval Ambassador and keen to help other girls thinking of joining the Surval Swiss Gap programme.

Leah joined Surval as a Swiss Gap Year student in 2020, and is now at Marist College in the USA.


Talking about her time at Surval, Leah says: "Surval did a great job of preparing me for university, especially with the pandemic. I really got to experience what it was like to live an independent life through my weekend travels. The classes helped to develop my critical thinking skills, my communication skills, and my ability to work well in any team.


I would definitely recommend Surval Montreux to any student considering it. At Surval you will experience many "once in a lifetime" opportunities, you will try things out of your comfort zone (while still doing the things you love), but best of all, you will make amazing friends.


My Swiss Gap Year classes at Surval prepared me for real life situations and I gained many skills in event planning, social enterprise, as well as cultural awareness and fluency in a foreign language. I also feel that independent travel and weekend trips helped to prepare me for 'adult' life."


Leah is enthusiastic about being a Surval Ambassador and happy to help other students considering a Swiss Gap Year.