Sema Sprachreisen — Karstgässchen 4, 8201 Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Sema Language Travel is far too expensive and very poorly organized. The accommodation with host families is handled extremely unfairly. My colleague and I had to sleep in a child's room, a very cramped space with a bunk bed clearly intended for a child. We had no wardrobe, and there was even a piece of used chewing gum on the child's table – absolutely unhygienic and disrespectful. At the same time, other students who paid the same price are sleeping in large single rooms with large, comfortable beds. This unequal treatment is unacceptable. When we reported the problem to the contact person, we simply received the response that there were no standards and we had to adapt to the circumstances. I found this very rude. You don't feel like the Sema Language Travel agency takes you seriously at all. In addition, we didn't receive a transparent breakdown of the costs for what the flat fee is used for (e.g., how much goes towards the host family, travel, organization, etc.). This is very unprofessional. Overall, a very bad experience. I cannot recommend Sema language travel.

Basti Brokolli

The initial conversation was great, as was the subsequent offer. The first half of my stay abroad went well, but the second half, specifically regarding Sema, was very difficult. Because I had to relocate, I needed information that didn't arrive until I wrote several times and finally called. Communication was generally very difficult. All emails were only answered after repeated inquiries, and no help was provided when problems arose. This is very disappointing, as I wanted to support a local family business. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend it.

Pascale Hintermann

I've already booked with Sema three times: two language stays and one internship abroad, and I've been very satisfied every time. I particularly appreciate the fact that the staff regularly visits the schools and host families they arrange for in person. This is also evident in the consultations. Whenever I encountered problems abroad, I was always helped immediately.

Dominique Vogt

The Sema staff gave me very competent advice when I was looking for a gap year option. After some thought, it became clear: I wanted to go to Perth. They helped me with everything, from applying for a visa to finding the best solution for a cell phone plan in Australia. Fast-forward a bit to the moment I arrived in Australia. Everything went as planned. I was picked up and taken to my host family. My host family was very friendly. The school was very good, and there weren't many Swiss students, which I really appreciated. Furthermore, Sema was always in contact with the school, and I could always turn to Sema or the school with my concerns. I was always fully supported by Sema, and the atmosphere was very informal. I would do a language stay with Sema again anytime.

Yvonne Eichholzer

We were on a language course in France. It was terribly organized; we didn't have anything positive to take away from it.

Africa Bro

Our daughter was able to spend two weeks on a language course in Oxford (together with the Bülach vocational school). She was unable to benefit from either the host family or the school in Oxford. We later learned from other people that the same thing had happened to them. If we had been better informed about SEMA, our daughter certainly wouldn't have gone to Oxford! After the language course, each student was asked to complete a questionnaire and return it to SEMA. In addition to the questionnaire, we wrote a letter expressing some concerns and requesting a response. Although our letter, including the questionnaire, was sent by registered mail, we didn't receive a response until 1.5 months later. In this letter, however, they deny all responsibility and rely on the responsible local partner in this case. Unfortunately, in our opinion, they did an inadequate job. And it's important to note at this point that you are our contractual partner, so you are responsible for this fiasco.

Franziska Ammann