Hello my fellow foreigners
This is a positive outlook on what Switzerland has to offer. Like they say, "Always look on the bright side of life...".
This Blog talks about getting to know Switzerland, the culture, the night life, saving money in this expensive country, get togethers, language, etc.
Enjoy!
The Bright Side of Switzerland
Question: What would make a native Sunny Southern Californian girl move to cold dreary switzerland?
Answer: Of course… a significant other.
I've spoken to several EF members in the same situation and even invited a few to my home. Every time I’d meet a new person, I’d get the same old story, "I'm here because of my bf/ my husband/my job and I hate it. It’s cold, the people are cold and I CAN'T SPEAKSCHWYZERDUTSCH(Swiss German)!" And even though I had my fiancé’s friends to mingle with, I began to slip into the same trap. By spring my fiancé and I had decided that we’d go back to California in July, so that I could finish my last semester of undergrad. I was afraid that I would never want to come back! But then I thought, “Hey I’m no quitter!” That’s when I decided to take charge and make my situation the best I knew it could be.
In July I went back to California and decided to hire a private Deutschlehrerin (female German teacher) to learn the basics of German, since I had none when I first came to CH (Confoederatio Helvetica- Official name of Switzerland). I also took a Global Marketing course and a Doing Business Abroad course, which were both mandatory for my International Business degree. Between the language lessons and the courses I learned a bit about how I might want to tackle Switzerland and the Swiss culture. So I came up with the following rules for myself:
Since I’ve been back, people have told me how much my German has improved, which makes me feel great. I can see the improvements myself, because when I go to a store or have to talk to random people I don’t get that “I’m going to pass out” J.
So now all I have to do is meet more of you that want to see the brighter side of der Schweiz.
I hope you’ve learned a few new German words and enjoyed a positive perspective on getting comfortable in Switzerland.
Gruss,
DMK
p.s. I'm always up for going out on the town for a drink or just meeting up for coffee. Contact me and I'll put together something super fun
Answer: Of course… a significant other.
I've spoken to several EF members in the same situation and even invited a few to my home. Every time I’d meet a new person, I’d get the same old story, "I'm here because of my bf/ my husband/my job and I hate it. It’s cold, the people are cold and I CAN'T SPEAKSCHWYZERDUTSCH(Swiss German)!" And even though I had my fiancé’s friends to mingle with, I began to slip into the same trap. By spring my fiancé and I had decided that we’d go back to California in July, so that I could finish my last semester of undergrad. I was afraid that I would never want to come back! But then I thought, “Hey I’m no quitter!” That’s when I decided to take charge and make my situation the best I knew it could be.
In July I went back to California and decided to hire a private Deutschlehrerin (female German teacher) to learn the basics of German, since I had none when I first came to CH (Confoederatio Helvetica- Official name of Switzerland). I also took a Global Marketing course and a Doing Business Abroad course, which were both mandatory for my International Business degree. Between the language lessons and the courses I learned a bit about how I might want to tackle Switzerland and the Swiss culture. So I came up with the following rules for myself:
1. Get used to the cold, because it’s not going anywhere. It’s often sunny in the mountains and luckily I learned snowboarding last season.
2. Buy some warm clothes so I can continue enjoying Zurich's wonderful night life during the winter...it is pretty fabulous.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice German. I try to speak German to my fiancés family because they are always willing to speak to me in Hoch Deutsch (High German from Germany), so why not take advantage of their help. I watch Pro Sieben and RTL (TV stations) which have great programming, so I can practice listening and be entertained all at once! And Freundin is a kick ass girly magazine that I buy to practice my reading.
4. Met people on EF, especially people that are happy and eager to have a great time living in Switzerland. So now I’m on here looking for good friends.While I was in Kalifornien (California) I went to Bloomingdales and bought a fantastic Mantel (coat). The coat wasn’t so bilig (cheap); however, last weekend I went out for a whole night in Zurich and didn’t even flinch at the cold in my strapless dress, tights and Mary Janes J. I had a great time bar hopping, which never could have happened in my California clothes.
Since I’ve been back, people have told me how much my German has improved, which makes me feel great. I can see the improvements myself, because when I go to a store or have to talk to random people I don’t get that “I’m going to pass out” J.
So now all I have to do is meet more of you that want to see the brighter side of der Schweiz.
I hope you’ve learned a few new German words and enjoyed a positive perspective on getting comfortable in Switzerland.
Gruss,
DMK
p.s. I'm always up for going out on the town for a drink or just meeting up for coffee. Contact me and I'll put together something super fun
Total Comments 4
Comments
 | Are you falling in love with your fiancé or with Switzerland ? Both ? :) |
Posted 27.03.2009 at 21:57 by AlexB  |
| | I'm happy that I can be that positive comment that you needed Zeynep. And to answer your question AlexB, we're married now. YES I love him. |
| Posted 01.09.2009 at 11:15 by SoCalCoise |
| |  hey  ur blogs are cool, i`m moving to switzerland in july and found the stuff about surviving the winter quite handy x |
| Posted 25.11.2009 at 02:11 by debwatkin1 |
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