Hi everyone,

My name is Tonia and I have 2 children aged 6 years and 18 months. My husband has just completed a Phd in Melbourne, Australia and we have been contacted regarding a job in Switzerland. I know nothing except for the minimal research I have done on my own.

Although nothing compares to good old honest experience. I was wondering about schools, rent, living expences and the different types of cantons. We would be looking at moving to St Gallon Canton near Heerbrugg. If anyone has any information for me and also any hints on relocating families it would be much appreciated.

Thanks Tonia

Hi Caitiam,

Welcome to our Forum Take some time to look around the various threads, there's loads of info which I'm sure you'll find useful. If there's something not addressed in the threads, feel free to ask specific questions (you're more likely to get specific answers!) Good Luck with your move. And bring some sunshine, please...

All I can say is do it, you will get so much from the experience. Perhaps look into doing some German prior to or just after arriving, it will help tremendously.

I lived In Zurich for a year so feel free to drop me a pm for any questions regarding life in Zurich for Australians.

Thanks for that. Did you move over with children? Also we would be moving to Heerbrugg, St Gallon canton. Do you have any info on this place.....I need to know about an international school in the area. I have just read the worst comments about the swiss and the way they treat foreigners children. I am starting to doubt our decision. Is that the experience you had.......
thanks Tonia

Hello all,

I have read some terrible complaints about the swiss prejudice against foreigners and local schools in the english forum complaints and schooling sections.....Apparently it is even worse in the country and I am assuming Heerbrugg is very much the country judging by google earth....

I am hoping that this is only a few peoples opinion. In saying that,
I am now scared and I want to investigate private or bi-lingual or international schools. We are in the private system in Melbourne but heard that all the local schools were fantastic in Switzerland.

No one in the family speaks german. My son is 6 years old and can read basic english. (he is in prep) He is doing very well where he is but I feel that going to a new country and being alienated by his peers would become a problem. We are moving to St Gallen around Heerbrugg. I desperatly need advice on schooling. We do not want to board nor pay a fortune. What schools are available I have searched the internet and found one school but it is 18,000 CF a year. I thought our school fees were expensive in Melbourne at 13,000 AUS we don't have day schools for primary more expensive than that hahahah

Any advice or local knowledge on St Gallen /Heerbrugg would be good thanks Tonia

p.s what is the tax rate over there roundind it off to say every $100,000 earnt. And how much do you need to pay in insurances and things like that.......

Caitiam,

Don't ask the same questions in different posts or threads - this is number three on this topic and you have two introduction threads. The problem is you will get answers in all the different threads as EF members won't realise that the question may have been answered elsewhere.

Also, try not to ask questions on different topics in the same post - the thread will become very confused.

Please read the guidelines in each forum.

Please also use the search facility before posting questions that may have been answered before.

Hi my name is Keith. Originally from Melbourne. Been living in Zürich for 13 Years. You seem to have alot of fears and apprehensions about coming to Switzerland. Its understandable.

St Gallen is quite a big town and where you are planning to live is about 25 Kilometer from St Gallen.Its also very close to one of the biggest lakes in Europe. You would not call it living in the country as you understand it in Australia. No place in Switzerland is remote. The trains and buses go everywhere. St Gallen is a Katholik town.

Yes private schools are expensive.Switzerland is an expensive country to live in. You could also send them to a State run school.Its a "must" to learn German otherwise you are always on the outside. Thats understandable.
Swiss people are hospitable. With people from USA England Australia very much so and they love to practice English.

Hope this small reply is of help to you.

Good Luck

Keith

Hi caitiam

I do not have children so cannot really assist you with the education queries you have. Heerbrugg, it sounds like Leica country. Your husband may wish to discuss education options with his potential employer about best transition for children. If it is Leica, they recruit from all over the world and assist with this kind of transition for people.

Your son is at that age where learning a new language would be a challenge but not insurmountable. My wife is Swiss and it is my intention to raise our children bilingually. In Australia we are at such a huge disadvantage to only learn one language. It will place him in good stead for when he is older perhaps.

Switzerland is where my heart lies and I do wish to return there in the near future to work and live. It has so much going for it. Have you considered a visit to see how it is before moving?

Oh and I have never had any problems in the past with Swiss people toward me as a foriegner. Being Australian you probably wont get too much angst in this regard if you have a good circle around you.

No, this is not the case - what is the source for this statement?

A 6 year old will normally find it very, very easy to pick up the new language and at that age has not even set his or her mother tongue (occurs for most people between 11 and 13 years of age).

The biggest problem is ensuring that the current language is maintained at a suitably high level. This is why the current language should always be spoken in the home situation.

One of the biggest mistakes adults make is proxying their own fears or language abilities onto their children .

I agree completely