Just got my offer letter/contract from HR last week. Up to now, it's been an exciting, and slightly nerve wracking, process of interviewing, and wondering if I would get the offer. Now, after surfing through this forum, the enormity of the process of applying for a work permit, moving 8 time zones, and getting established in a foreign country is starting to dawn on me. As an American, I've traveled quite a bit through Europe, and have seen much of my country, but have never lived outside of America - though if you are from Seattle, Texas can feel like a foreign country.

Prior to this, I've traveled to Geneva, Bern, Interlaken, and I have loved what I've seen of the country. I hope I love living in Geneva as much as I now believe I will.

As an America, I'm a little concerned that too many of my fellow countrymen (women) have poisoned the well being "ugly Americans", but I've also seen that a little humility, and a dash or respect and wonder go a long way.

Let the journey begin!!

Hello and welcome

At least somebody's coming in Geneva

hiya Velocolo ( had to retype that .. thought it was velo loco ) anyway welcome , and I'll get a response off to your PM later today.

Welcome! It's very international here, so it's not too hard to adjust. Plus, the weather is better than Seattle!

The toughest part will be finding somewhere to live. Good luck!

Hi & welcome to the EF. Hope your move over to here goes smoothly for you. You're sure to find lots of helpful info here to help you along the way.

Cheers

Swisscath

welcome to the forum!

a move out of your country where things are different to what you are used to can be difficult, but dont let the things that you have to do here hinder your exitement! you are coming to a beautifull country which you will hopefully be calling your home for the next few years!

i have seen alot of countrys and i think this is my 24th

it all works out in the end.....good luck

My signed contract has gone back to Geneva today. So the enormity of my own application process starts here.

We have lived in HK for 3 years and so we're used to living away from home (South Africa) but still. I know what you mean.

I hope to see you soon in Geneva!

I like the chainring tattoo in your avatar. There's another American who hangs out on this forum sometimes and has lived in Colorado that is also famous for getting chainring tattoos on each ride - I hope you two get a chance to meet. Check out the link in my signature if you have any questions about cycling in Switzerland.

Hi velocolo and welcome!

Moving to Geneva was the first time I'd lived outside the UK, and I agree making the move was a bit scary at first, but I'm 20 months down the road now and am getting to the point where I don't know if I will ever want to leave again :-) Hope everything goes smoothly for you and good luck finding an apartment...

There's some good cycling around Geneva too - let me know when you get here and maybe we can go out for a ride.

Cheers,
GenevaSculler

Thanks Chris, glad to meet a fellow cyclist. I had read your sticky post on cycling a few days back, but didn't see a section on road cycling in Geneva, but I must admit to not having read the entire thread....yet. My first experiences in CH were on a side trip from London passing throught to attempt an ill-fated ascent up Alpe d Huez. I just love the cycling culture in Europe.

Full disclosure - the chainring tattoo isn't mine, but I love the pic. Being a corporate type, I'm too much of a chicken to get one that big. But I do have a couple of discreetly placed bike chain tattoos.

Thanks again, and I'll check out your photo blog.

Donald

Thanks, and I'll take you up on that. HR says that my anticipated start date is May 1 with the work permit. I was hoping I'd get there in time to make a few side trips on weekends to the Spring Classics, but there still plenty of Spring cycling to be had in May.

Thanks again.

Sounds good My first sport is rowing, but I'm doing more and more cycling too these days.

If you are here in May then you could start off with a quick trip round the lake:
http://www.cyclotour.ch/cms/
It's on Sunday 30th May this year, 180km round Lac Leman, starting and finishing in Lausanne.

Last year I did the Tour de Gruyere, which is pretty spectacular scenery and worth the trip from Geneva, and a little more hilly than the Lac Leman tour http://www.gruyere-cycling-tour.ch/en/home

If you are living in Geneva, it's very easy to get up into the Jura in the summer evenings or at weekends from the middle of town - it's literally 10-15 minutes to get out into the countryside.

The "local" mountain is the Saleve, again good for some hillclimb practice if you are on the south side of town.

Finally, for a load of rides around Geneva, check out this website:
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/
It's written by an English guy who lives in Geneva and has mapped out hundreds of local rides with photos and descriptions.

Perhaps it is Velo Loco......thanks for the chuckle.

Just landed...wow, everythings different over here - the language, the electric plugs, the money, the street signs.....

With very, very few exceptions, EF has provided me with loads of valuable info. So, while I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, which is perhaps compounded by the jetlag, it feels very good to have this virtual community as a resource as I settle. It's even nice to see how the virtual community crosses over into a real world community as well -- I haven't even unpacked my bike and already have a few invites for bike rides.

Well, I'm off to look for dinner, and to see if I can rustle up some brown sugar...

Welcome to the country at last.
Hope you've got some food with you in your luggage. 1st May is a holiday here. Probably motorway shops are open though... or you could do a tour on your bike and see what you can find.

Have a good weekend.

Thanks Longbyt - looks like I should plan to eat a hearty meal tonight, and "enjoy" the foods that motorway shops provide.

Tour de Romandie is going on right in your neighborhood right now

Texas IS a whole different country!
I will be arriving a couple of months later, and I am a cyclist too. hope to see you around! M

You read my mind dakman. And I believe the Giro starts next weekend - I was going to try and see a few stages of Tours de Romandie, Suisse, and the Grand Tours (at least the Giro and TdF due to proximity) this year - did you ever see one of the staged during your time here?

Welcome in Town