About us
Backpack2school is a Swiss non-governmental and non-profit organization with the mission to facilitate international teaching opportunities for education professionals around the world. The vision is to help teachers prepare for the increasingly diverse classroom. With intercultural competent teachers, we are able to create inclusive classrooms where everybody thrives.
Our story
Nesrin and Houda Bourbia were born in Algeria and migrated to Switzerland at the age of 8. They experienced integration into a new society first hand and understand the importance of inclusive classrooms. In 2018 they founded Backpack2school to realize a program that aims to prepare the teachers of tomorrow for the increasingly multicultural classroom.
Backpack2school takes an active part in shaping the education system internationally. They work together with governments, universities and education institutions in Switzerland and around the world to launch initiatives in the field of education.
Our story
Nesrin and Houda Bourbia were born in Algeria and migrated to Switzerland at the age of 8. They experienced integration into a new society first hand and understand the importance of inclusive classrooms. In 2018 they founded Backpack2school to realize a program that aims to prepare the teachers of tomorrow for the increasingly multicultural classroom.
Backpack2school takes an active part in shaping the education system internationally. They work together with governments, universities and education institutions in Switzerland and around the world to launch initiatives in the field of education.
Our values
Backpack2school is a value-driven organization and is committed to creating an environment where everyone involved is empowered and has the freedom to feel and act like the owners.
Diversity
Backpack2school is built on the premise of diversity and inclusion. We believe we can build a better future if we respect, embrace and leverage diversity, and teach our children to do the same.
Sustainability
Today’s global challenges require us to think and act responsibly and with integrity. We aspire to deliver our education services in a sustainable and transparent manner, and work with partners that behold the same standards.
Collaboration
Innovation in education requires minds to collaborate, globally. Hence, we see every connection as an opportunity to work together towards better outcomes.
Our values
Backpack2school is a value-driven organization and is committed to create an environment where everyone involved is empowered and has the freedom to feel and act like the owners.
Diversity
Backpack2school is built on the premise of diversity and inclusion. We believe we can build a better future if we respect, embrace and leverage diversity, and teach our children to do the same.
Sustainability
Today’s global challenges require us to think and act responsibly and with integrity. We aspire to deliver our education services in a sustainable and transparent manner, and work with partners that behold the same standards.
Collaboration
Innovation in education requires minds to collaborate, globally. Hence, we see every connection as an opportunity to work together towards better outcomes.
Houda Bourbia
Co-Founder & President
"Your dreams are valid, no matter where you come from. Dream big, work hard and don’t let anyone stop you."
Nesrin Bourbia
Co-Founder & Program Manager
"I want to be able to say I have contributed to something that is far bigger than my own self-centered dreams."
Amani Djeniba
Operations Manager MENA
"Seek achievement and don't forget about the progress and prosperity for our community."
Fatima Zahra Boudra
Student Ambassador Morocco
"Enjoy the process before you can enjoy the end result, as long as, you are helping not expecting."
Advisory board
The advisory board members support Backpack2school with conceptual advice, pedagogical input, their network, and dynamic perspectives. We call on trustworthy and competent individuals to support and guide our decision-making processes.
Trix Bürki
is a lecturer for German didactics and its disciplines at the Institute for Primary Education at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwest Switzerland. With her background in the field of education, she brings extensive experience in teaching and intercultural education. Her main research topics are literacy, German as a second language and children and youth media.
Hakima Fassi Fihri
is a scholar & advocate for women's rights. She holds a Master in EU-Law from Grenoble University and a MBA from HEC Paris & Oxford University (2021). She is a former director for international relations & partnerships and member of management board of the international University of Rabat. She conducts research on women’s rights, gender equality and women empowerment in North Africa.
Dr. Katja Schnitzer
is a lecturer for German didactics at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwest Switzerland. Her work focuses on teaching German in the context of diversity, German as a second language, language acquisition, diagnostics and promotion. She is involved in multilingualism projects and member of the European Centre for Modern Languages. Her research topics are multilingualism and cultural diversity.
Sanae Raissouni
is a senior executive at ONCF. She is a civil engineer and holds a Master in Finance from ESSEC, Paris. With her Moroccan-based NGO Eveil et Envol she implements education initiatives in Moroccan pre-schools that are based on the natural laws of children’s development.
Dorde Kodzic
holds a Master of Science in Business and Economics with a major in strategic management and marketing from the University of Basel. In his position as Implementation Manager he has acquired global experience in software development and implementation. Additionally, he is a strategic marketing consultant with a focus on online marketing channels.
Omar Hashwi
is a Research and Data Analyst at Gartner and a serial (social) entrepreneur. He holds a Master of Business Management from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He founded several startups in Michigan and San Francisco and has extensive knowhow in entrepreneurship, research, sales, business strategy and growth.
Advisory board
The advisory board members support backpack2school with conceptual advice, pedagogical input, their network, and dynamic perspectives. We call on trustworthy and competent individuals to support and guide our decision-making processes.
Trix Bürki is a lecturer for German didactics and its disciplines at the Institute for Primary Education at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwest Switzerland. With almost 30 years of experience in the field of education, she brings extensive experience in teaching and intercultural education. Her main research topics are literacy, German as a second language and children and youth media.
Hakima Fassi Fihri is a scholar & advocate for women’s rights. She holds a Master in European Law from Grenoble University and a MBA from HEC Paris & Oxford University (2021). She is a former director for international relations & partnerships and member of management board of the international University of Rabat. She conducts research & publishes on women’s rights, gender equality and women empowerment in North Africa.
Dr. Katja Schnitzer is a lecturer for German didactics at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwest Switzerland. Her work focuses on teaching German in the context of diversity, German as a second language, language acquisition, diagnostics and promotion. She is involved in multilingualism projects and member of the European Centre for Modern Languages. Her research topics are multilingualism and cultural diversity.
Sanae Raissouni is a senior executive at ONCF. She is a civil engineer and holds a Master in Finance from ESSEC, Paris. With her Moroccan-based NGO Eveil et Envol she implements education initiatives in Moroccan pre-schools that are based on the natural laws of children’s development.
Dorde Kodzic holds a Master of Science in Business and Economics with a major in strategic management and marketing from University of Basel. In his position as Implementation Manager he has acquired global experience in software development and implementation. Additionally, he is active as a consultant in area of strategic marketing with a focus on online marketing channels.
Omar Hashwi is a Research and Data Analyst at Gartner and a serial (social) entrepreneur. He holds a Master of Business Management from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He founded several startups in Michigan and San Francisco and has extensive knowhow in entrepreneurship, research, sales, business strategy and growth.
