Short introduction. My name is nathalie, i was actually born here in Switzerland, in Bern to be specific. I lived most of my childhood in Switzerland and some of my teenager years, then i moved to the US since over 22 years ago. Just recently, 6 months ago, we moved back to CH.

I am a dual citizen but my heart is in the US. I guess i have lived most of my adult live there. Now you are certainly asking yourself, well why the heck did I come back....Well it was not my wish or wanting, but more likely i had no choice, make a long story short, i am the only supporting parent of my two kids age 3.5. Well back in the US i could not afford to support them, so it left me no choice but to come back to Switzerland. Don't get me wrong I still love Switzerland, but after so many years having been absent and to realize how much has actually changed here, is quite sad.

I though have a hard time to adjust myself here..... Strange as i used to live here many years ago, LMAO But maybe someone out there understands what I am trying to say. I am so curious and i am wondering how did you all manage to find happiness here? What is it that you all love so much about this country, besides it being very beautiful, what are specific reasons of why do love this country. Maybe i can learn to connect again LOL

Hi Nathalie,

I think many of us understand what you are trying to say Many people find it very difficult to integrate here. Even more difficult when other expats judge them for having trouble, and inferring that it must be something wrong with THEM that makes it difficult. Thankfully I´ve never had too many problems with this since I am a ´good foreigner´ - you know, the kind where people always say bad things about foreigners and then say "oh, but we don´t mean you, you are the kind of foreigner that we´d like to have". Really? I guess I should be honoured rather than taking offence... Anyway the subject of integration and whether the Swiss make it easy or not is a big one, so I´d rather avoid it in this thread.

Instead I wanted to tell you about a book a read a couple of years ago during a period when I was especially frustrated. It is called "Ticking along too" and it´s basically a collection of letters written by people about Switzerland. There is a diverse range of views from all over the country, from people of all different backgrounds. So when you are feeling down it´s nice to see some people have the same experience, and yet others see things in a more positive (or more negative) way. Sometimes you´ll laugh, sometimes you´ll cry, but worth a read!

Mark

Hi Nathalie,

I am half Swiss half British. I was born in Zurich but went to boarding school in the UK. I came home for the holidays, which where incredibly dull as I had lost touch with other kids in the area. Anyway, three years ago I decided to start studying at the University of Zurich. I thought it would be easy to get to know people but I was very wrong. I don't really want to get into all of that. What I wanted to say was that you are certainly not the only one feeling the way you do.

My advice, think of the nice things you can do here, the beauty of Switzerland and try to carve yourself a little niche.... If that fails, come and have a bitch on this forum!!!

Ahhhh thank you guys, Mark and Lynn that was so sweet.


I know Mark, I am not trying to put Switzerland down, just trying to express how i feel. Whats even more paradox, i was born here, but i have a seriously hard time to adjust. But I will take your advise and read that book. Hopefully i can find it. Well otherwise i am sure they could order it.

Lynn you are right,the countryside is gorgeous, i just wish the teenagers would stop littering. LOL Seriously Basel Land is full of trash...

Ok now i stop LOL LOL Believe me i love this country and I love my other home country too, ahhhh just feel a bit homesick. LOL

Hi Nathalie,


Daddy here who lives in Aesch in Zürich! I live in idyllic surroundings with my wife and three children and am constantly subject to the "unfashionable-to-have-kids" attitude these days. Fortunately we live around many families and together we battle apathy towards future generations. If you are ever around Zürich in the near future, you must come and visit us. Our two boys Shane and Dennis are 6 and 3 and are always pleased to have English-speaking play-mates

Till soon I hope.

Cheers,

Daddy

I know this is a bit off topic - but since everyone seems to be talking about kids I thought I'd ask a question from someone who doesn't have any

Is it normal these days that kids just leave the table when they have finished eating (without asking to be excused), or expect to watch their favourite TV program while the rest of the family is eating a meal?

Is it just me - am I destined to become "Victorian Dad" one day? Our generation was taught manners, why is nobody bothering to teach them to their kids? I'm constantly amazed when I visit peoples' homes and see the kind of stuff going on that I would never have been allowed to get away with!

Mark

Age old discussion:

Those with kids spend most of their time moulding and guiding their offspring and have the feeling that they can never do enough for their little sunshines! The rest of the time is spent cleaning up the mess caused by the misconception that kids are "adults-in-waiting". Learning manners takes a lifetime and tact is a quality which some people never learn...
People with children feel sorry for people without children for countless reasons and vice versa. Thank god there are the precious few who recognise this fact and choose to ignore prejudice for the greater good and peace between both camps. All I can say is that every child should have the right to live out their childhood before being forced to think the same way as thier elders - after all, the age at which human beings can get away with innocence is dropping by the day - soon we will be thinking it normal that our teenage sons and daughters can and will fend for themselves. This is criminal thinking in itself as elders should never give up willing to teach those younger and less experienced than themselves the ropes, even at the ripe old age of 100. Only then will youngsters stop feeling neglected and start feeling loved again... nuff said.