Enjoy, and reflect on the lyrics...

I'm curious about the folks who changed between opposite sides of the equator. I imagine the "intermediate" seasons aren't so bad, Spring happening when all previous perception (and perhaps your body) is telling you it's time for Fall, and vice-versa, but I imagine the very opposite Winter vs Summer is a lot more of an issue?

I've moved around a lot, a couple times (including now, obviously) to foreign countries, but have never had to deal with quite such an extreme season flip. It was tough the first couple years in Florida, after living in Chicago area, to have winter without much cold and without any snow. It had been strange the first year or two in Chicago to be unable to head to the beach with my friends on Christmas Day like I used to in Hawaii. Even so though, the basic time of year was seasonally "correct" for me.


Maybe plan some events that can be done here, but that will bring reminders of home for you and some (maybe new) friends, or introductions to seasonal favorites to folks here. Sharing remembered treats with friends usually helps me if I'm having some low moments - and has led to hubby and I eating bbq pork far more often than we should have over the last few weeks.

Try www.meetup.com
It has quite a following in Switzerland: it is frequented by English speakers from all over the world, usually ones relatively new to Switzerland. The site arranges for spontaneous meetups based on themes, or just going out for a drink. I've been to a couple, was a good night out each time, though like anything it takes a lot time to really hook up with people beyond a few laughs in a bar.

You are really funny, using the analogy with relationship about moving to other country. Guess what? It works, I smile I will PM you when I am planning to go to Zurich. Thanks!

You remember! I went to London twice and I love it and planning to go there again soon. I guess being in London reminded me of Sydney ... obviously much bigger but it's quite similar. And yes, I attended the hillsong church when I was in London.

People here in englishforum are very nice, thank you very much for all the replies. I think it's not about the place, Vevey ... because Switzerland is really beautiful. I think it's more about missing friends, family and all the things that I am familiar with.

I will apply some of your suggestions for sure have a nice weekend!

Some members are here over the weekend too, so there's usually someone to talk to on EF.

Have a good weekend too.

When I talk to my family in Australia, at this time of the year, I get more than a little depressed.
They're talking of endless sunshine and water-sports, barbecues on the beach and living on the patio, and I'm putting up with the howling wind and biting cold
and my 12-year- old car refusing to start.
My brother meanwhile is moaning down the phone about his problems keeping his beer cool, and the difficulties he has with his 'eggnishner'

SIx months is not long enough to feel completely settled in a place. I would say , give yourself two years. BUT - if you do go home then, expect that you will have changed and it may, or may not be so simple to just settle back into your old lfe again.

Mulan, we have all, to one extent or another, been where you are right now. It is a bad place, the homesickness stage, and I'm going to be very, very blunt. I think it is worse if you move here from another continent or if you move here and are not white. Not only do you have to adapt to the Swiss way of things, you have to adapt to the European way of things. It's like a double whammy.

Here is what helped me:

1. Pick ONE thing as your goal to accomplish during the week. This can be as simple as going to the Migros butcher and ordering meat. Do this ONE thing (in French!) 12 or 19 or 34 times during the week until you have mastered the art of ordering "un kilo" or "une livre" (half of a kilo) de boeuf. Here is a hint, if you just point and say "la" which means that one there, the butcher will get it.

2. Try to make ONE friend. People scoff, but, if you do not have children, this can be very, very difficult. Meet someone through EF or at the Starbucks in St. Francois in Lausanne or at your French school. This person does not have to be your BFF, it just needs to be someone you can meet for coffee or lunch or whatever.

3. When you go back to Australia, look at it AS IT REALLY IS and not through rose-colored glasses. You will see that all is not cupcakes and rainbows back in your home country, either.

I have lots more suggestions, but this post is getting long. If you need a chuckle or two, check out my blog at www.trailingwife.blogspot.com Go back to the very beginning of the blog when I first got here. You will see that it's all about time. Time to adapt, time to learn a smattering of French, time to find a group of friends, etc.

Good luck!

Hi

From one Sydneysider to another you have my commiserations. We moved across here in late 2009 and as others have said it took 2 years for us to feel like we're reasonably settled and like it here.

We hated it for the first year. Got our act together in the second. It seems like the third is working and we're happy. Knowing our luck it'll probably mean we have to move soon

We didn't go back to Australia for over 2 years and only recently returned from a 1 month trip to all our favourite places. Coming back has been hard, we struggled to get on the plane as we fell right back into our old way of life and relaxation there. BUT we couldn't have the life we have here over there and we're taking advantage of everything on offer whilst we're in Europe.

Travel as much as you can, meet lots of people and though it might sound weird, try not to focus too much on what you feel is missing from your life here, acknowledge it but don't put all or energy into it or you'll be a self fulfilling prophesy and in time you'll find that it fades and you'll enjoy life here. It's what worked for us.

Oh and you're in a fabulous location for the summer!! Right on the water, Montreux jazz, Cully Jazz, the wineries in Lavaux, festivals etc... there's a ton to enjoy right on your doorstep (especially when it's not crazy cold )

Oh and check out glocals.com and internations.org as well if you're looking for more social connections (send me a PM if you want an invite to the latter) depending on your style one might suit better than the other and keep a look out for the Swiss ANZAC day details (http://www.swissanzacday.org/) it's a good way to meet other Aussies.

Best of luck!

We have been here almost 6 years and it took me 5.5years to bother going back to Sydney and then I couldn't get back here fast enough. Haven't felt homesick at any stage and love the cold winters since they are real winters. Family have done 3 visits to my 1 back and there are different views across the family.

Surf and beach - don't miss it one bit never liked going to the surf.

Occassionally miss small things but generally for me what is the point in trying to worrry about what you were doing when you came here to enjoy and experience something different!!!

Mulan, this opinion is the extreme. Wallabies is obviously well-acclimated. Don't feel bad if this is not what you are experiencing. Most of us get homesick to some extent.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it's only going to get worse.

Sometime in the future, when you move back home or on to someplace new, you will find yourself reminiscing about Switzerland, how beautiful it was, how lovely the four seasons were, how nice it was to take long walks by the lake.

When I first moved away from Sydney, I had extreme homesickness and after I finally went home for good, there was just one problem; the person going back home was not the same one who'd left four years earlier. So, after the excitement of being back had worn off, I couldn't wait to leave again. Ten years later, I am still away.

Homesickness still sneaks up on me now and again, but I know now that there is no one perfect place to be.

Just think, one day when you're sitting in traffic on the Parramatta Road, in 40 degree heat, behind a stinky truck, you will miss your easy life here in Switzerland.

Yeah, sometimes life really sucks.