New to Forum, not yet in Switzerland, but would like to be

[CarlM]

Hello everyone,
I wanted to take some time to introduce myself to the Forum. I am an American who has previously lived in Europe (Hungary) and has had the chance to visit Switzerland several times both while still living in Europe and after moving back to the states . I am hoping to live and work in (or near) Zurich, St. Gallen (where I have some wonderful friends--more like family), or Geneva/Lake Geneva region. Of course, being an American, there is that little problem of obtaining a visa which, in turn, implies obtaining work there. I am an experienced software engineer, and I am only now (re)starting a job search there after being discouraged by the results the last time through. I only speak a little French and German (and Hungarian), so an English Forum is very useful to me! Thanks to all who have made this possible.

Kind Regards,
Carl

[evilshell]

Welcome to the forum

You'll probably find that right now it will be very difficult to get a job/visa for Switzerland. Not impossible, but difficult. I'd definitely suggest working on either your French or German, depending on where you want to move to while you're job hunting - it will definitely help if you can get some certificates showing language proficiency.

[CarlM]

Yes, I know firsthand of the difficulty finding a job/obtaining a visa in Switzerland, and I have heard that it has only gotten worse since my last effort (over a year ago). Nevertheless, I persist.... You're right about the language issue, of course. Thanks for the welcome!

Hi and welcome to this forum.

I can only agree about working on your languages skill. We, locals, always appreciate when expats make that effort.

[mepriana]

Welcome to the forum Carl. All the best of luck with your job search. It's not easy, but don't give up! You never know what is around the corner!

[aki]

Hey CarlM,

Boy you really want to come over to CH really badly. Poeple are still responding to your other post.....

[Phos]

Hi Carl,

Welcome. Of all the places in the world, why Switzerland?

[Ouchboy]

Welcome to the forum,

Just to be clear:

a)Switzerland: Banks, chocolate, Heidi
b)Sweden: Ikea, Swedish volleyball bikini team.
c)Swaziland: who knows.... not me....

so why a)??

[CarlM]

	Quote:	Phos
	Hi Carl, Welcome. Of all the places in the world, why Switzerland?

I would put it differently. Of all of the places in the world, why not Switzerland? (This is not a real question; I have heard many of the complaints from ex-pats and natives.) In any case, the answer to your question is not short. But the short answer is that I was actually living in Hungary when I first came to Switzerland to visit some friends. It kind of built from there.

[CarlM]

	Quote:	Ouchboy
	Welcome to the forum, Just to be clear: a)Switzerland: Banks, chocolate, Heidi b)Sweden: Ikea, Swedish volleyball bikini team. c)Swaziland: who knows.... not me.... so why a)??

Well, I do like (and have had some) Swiss chocolate . But it is a bit more than just that .

	Quote:	Ouchboy
	Just to be clear: a)Switzerland: Banks, chocolate, Heidi b)Sweden: Ikea, Swedish volleyball bikini team. c)Swaziland: who knows.... not me.... so why a)??

I bet you've never seen Heidi in her bikini drinking some chocolate drinks ...

[Phos]

	Quote:	CarlM
	I would put it differently. Of all of the places in the world, why not Switzerland? (This is not a real question; I have heard many of the complaints from ex-pats and natives.) In any case, the answer to your question is not short. But the short answer is that I was actually living in Hungary when I first came to Switzerland to visit some friends. It kind of built from there.

That's good enough for me. I was just wondering if you had connections here. Sounds like you do.

It's tough, but not impossible to find a job here from there. You will be asked why here, and why you. Good luck.

[scrambled]

	Quote:	Bertrand - Geneva
	I bet you've never seen Heidi in her bikini drinking some chocolate drinks ...

reword: I bet you've never seen Heidi in her bankini drinking some chocolate drinks ...