A day in the life at Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF)

TEXT: HOCHALPINES INSTITUT FTAN (HIF) / MARILENA STRACKE

Imagine waking up to the sight of the Swiss Alps. What feels like a holiday setting is simply normal life for Kira, a boarding student at Hochalpines Institut Ftan.

Kira is enrolled in the International Advanced Diploma (IAD), an English-speaking programme underpinned by A-levels, and her day begins with mathematics. Today, rather than sitting at their desks, the class heads outside. The school’s surroundings offer a natural setting for studying trigonometry in real life. The Alps are not just a backdrop here – they are a learning resource.

A campus designed for clarity and focus. Photo: Hochalpines Institut Ftan

Later in the morning, a scheduled well-being lesson focuses on concentration, stress response and effective study habits. These sessions are part of the curriculum, helping students understand how sleep, organisation and mental balance influence both academic and physical performance.

By midday, everyone gathers for lunch. IAD students sit alongside German and Romansh-speaking Gymnasium students and participants from the Ignite programme, with teachers, coaches and staff sharing the same dining hall. Phones are off. Conversations are on. The mix of programmes, backgrounds and languages strengthens the school’s international character and sense of community.

Ski training built into everyday routines at school. Photo: Mayk Wendt

After lunch, Kira returns briefly to her boarding house before training. Boarding life at HIF is clearly structured. Daily routines and responsibilities are set, and technology use is regulated, with phones handed in at defined times. These boundaries reduce distraction and support focus, rest and connection, helping students develop independence and healthy habits.

In the afternoon, Kira trains with the HIF Sports Academy. Today’s session focuses on strength and conditioning, part of a long-term training cycle as a skier. Coaching is professional and personalised, supporting students who aspire to elite competition as well as those who want sport to be part of a balanced daily routine. Teachers and coaches coordinate closely, ensuring that academics and athletic training complement each other.

Study time that turns focus into progress. Photo: Mayk Wendt

Evenings are structured and calm. Two supervised study sessions provide time to consolidate learning, prepare for assessments or work on an Extended Project Qualification, an independent research project that builds academic depth and university readiness.

By the end of the day, academics, training and well-being are aligned, allowing Kira to switch off and rest, knowing that she is supported across it all.