This page contains links and references to third-party websites. The International School of Berne, the Parent Teacher Committee and/or Friends of ISBerne provide these links only as a convenience and cannot be held responsible for the content of the related websites or for their services.
Where possible we have provided links to English-language sites or sites with a translation in English. If you need help with sites in other languages, Google Translate is a useful tool. You can copy text or a web address to be translated or get 1-click translations from your browser's toolbar by dragging and dropping the language of your choice from Google Translation Tools and Resources.
ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNITY
Bern Cantonal Authorities
Information on Bern, its political, educational systems - anything that is available in English.
http://www.be.ch/web/fr/index/english.htm
Bern Economic Development Agency (BEDA)
Government agency providing support to companies establishing themselves in the Bern canton. Useful business networking.
http://www.wfb.ch/3297/3512/3524.asp
Directories
Telephone directory in English.
http://www.directories.ch/index.aspx?language=en
Living in Bern
Large variety of information and tips on living in the Bern region, from the Bern Economic Development Agency.
http://www.living-in-berne.ch
Swiss Post
Swiss postal service. Site includes details of worldwide postage options and rates.
http://www.swisspost.ch/en/
ART, CULTURE & TOURISM
Art Place 88
Art gallery in Gümligen. Regular workshops in English on all types of art-related topics such as drawing, painting, photography and others.
http://www.artplace88.com/html/exhibitions.html
Bern Capital Impressions/Bern Tourism
Government website providing practical, cultural and tourist information on Bern.
http://www.berninfo.com/en/page.cfm/Information
Funny Laundry
Comedy Club brings stand up comedy in English to Switzerland.
http://www.funnylaundry.com
My Switzerland
Offical website of the Swiss National Tourist Office.
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
Upstage
Bern's English Language Theater Group.
http://www.upstage.ch
BEAUTY
Beautician - Teresa Robinson
Teresa Robinson is a beautician originally from Britain. Her website is in German, but scroll down the linked page to find a list of services and prices in English.
http://www.beauty-teresa.ch/behandlungen/
Home Hairdressing Service
English-speaking hairdressing in the comfort of your home.
Download details...
EDUCATION & SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Language Classes for Adults
German, French and English classes at the Bärtschihus, Gümligen and ISBerne.
Download course and contact information
Toastmasters International (Bern Club)
Learn-by-doing program to help men and women, young and old, become more confident speakers.
http://www.toastmasters.ch
FAMILY MATTERS
Car Seat Regulations for Children in Switzerland
New regulations came into effect 1 April, 2010
Download information in English
Childcare Service Switzerland
Provides daycare, nannies and other solutions to reach/maintain a workable balance between family and career.
http://www.childcare.ch/english/home.html
English Forum Switzerland
Online forum for expats. Provides information on just about anything relating to living in Switzerland. The key word search engine is excellent.
http://www.englishforum.ch/family-matters-health/4873-family-information-new-people-switzerland.html
Ready... Steady... Bern!
Relocation assistance in and around Bern.
http://www.readysteadyrelocate.com/bern
FITNESS, HOBBIES & LEISURE
Cards and Candles
Online Crafts, Hobby, Party and Baking company offering supplies to all living in Switzerland. Weekly Scrapbooking Workshops organised all year round.
http://www.cardsandcandles.ch
Pilates Center
Pilates Mat and Reformer group classes as well as Personal Training available in English.
http://www.personal-line.ch/english-section/
Robyne's 'Robics
Aerobics classes in English for all fitness levels.
Mondays and Wednesdays 9-10am at the Bärtschihus, Gümligen.
Download details
The Drumworks
Drum school in Muri for all ages, also has a recording studio. English and German speaker.
http://www.thedrumworks.net
Yogveda the Yoga School
Yoga classes in English in the centre of Bern with Shahid Kan.
http://www.yogveda.com
FOOD & DRINK
LeShop - Migros Online Store
Online supermarket delivering all over Switzerland, via the Swiss postal service.
http://www.leshop.ch
MyExpatShop
British food and groceries available online in Switzerland.
http://www.myexpatshop.com
St Ursula's Anglican Church (see also Places of Worship)
Holds regular Food and Book Sales (good for British food and English-language books).
http://www.stursula.ch
HEALTH
City Notfall
City Emergency Unit in the city centre providing immediate medical care for small accidents and various illnesses. They also do house calls including Gümligen-Muri.
http://www.citynotfall.ch/-CNF-/plain.simpletext.de.information.default/default.aspx
Klinik Sonnenhof
The Sonnenhof hospital includes a 24-hour accident and emergency centre. This is where ISBerne students are usually taken in the event of an emergency.
http://www.sonnenhof.ch (Click EN for English)
HOME
Elan Interior Design & Staging
English-speaking interior design services.
http://www.elaninteriors.ch
Expat Marketplace
Buy, sell and rent online. Website for international English-speaking community in Switzerland.
http://www.expatmarketplace.ch
Move Out Cleaning Service
Thorough cleaning service for your house or apartment when you move out, ready for landlord's inspection. Fluent in English and Swiss German.
Contact: Catherine 031 832 19 78
Robyne Maree's Sewing, Repairs and Alterations
English-speaking sewing services including new outfits, repairs, alterations and embroidery.
Great rates. No job too big or too small!
Download details
MEDIA
Hello Switzerland
Written by expats for expats living in Switzerland. Contains features, articles and information to help expats feel at home in Switzerland.
http://www.helloswitzerland.ch
Swissinfo.ch
Swiss news and information in English and several other languages
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/index.html
Swisster | Switzerland in English
Swiss news and information in English
http://www.swisster.ch
PLACES OF WORSHIP
BIEC Bern International Evangelical Church
http://www.biec.ch
English Speaking Roman Catholic Community
http://www.kathbern.ch/english-speaking-community
Roman Catholic Community - other languages
Foreign language church services (in English and 15 other languages).
http://www.kathbern.ch/index.php?na=2,9,0,32344,d
St Ursula's Anglican Church
http://www.stursula.ch
SOCIAL CLUBS
American Women's Club of Bern
A non-political organization sponsoring social, cultural, and charitable activities in and around Bern.
http://www.awcbern.org
Anglo Info Zurich
Life in Zürich, Basel, Bern, Lucerne & Zug - in English.
http://zurich.angloinfo.com
The Bern Expat Meeting Group
Group for people who are interested in social activities in Bern, such as going out, sport, learning etc.
http://www.meetup.com/meetupberne/
Carrick
Information about what's happening in Bern for English speakers. Includes their own useful links page.
http://www.carrick.ch/bern-english
English Speaking Club of Berne
English speaking bar in Bern. Meeting point for English speakers from all over the world.
http://www.englishclub.ch
Fribourg Expat Women Group
Their primary goal is to ensure that everybody has the possibility to make new friends within this region.
http://www.fribourgexpatwomansgroup.com
Global Locals in Canton Bern (Facebook)
English-speaking social group for Facebook users the Bern area.
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=10150159926665133#!/group.php?v=wall&gid=132745476162
International Club of Berne
Non-political organisation open to all men, women and their families, interested in meeting for social and cultural activities.
http://icberne.2ya.com
InterNations
Community for expats in Bern. They organize events, get togethers and forums for expats to meet and exchange tips for living in and around Bern.
http://www.internations.org/expats/home/switzerland/bern
Swisscc
Yahoo group mailing list for English speakers. Easy way to read about what's going on in Bern.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/swisscc/
TRANSPORT
Bernmobil
Tram and bus system. Efficient and most effective way to travel in the Bern area.
http://www.bernmobil.ch/english/index.php
CFF/SBB/FFS
Swiss railway system.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/index.htm
MapPlus
Help with getting around Switzerland. Very user friendly maps.
http://www.mapplus.ch
Mobility
Car sharing organisation. Cost effective and practical alternative to owning a car, 180 mpick spots in the Bern canton.
http://www.mobility.ch/en/pub/index.cfm