Greetings all,

I am currently in the process of having my PhD thesis reviewed and have just signed a contract to take up a post-doctoral position at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) in Epalinges, Lausanne in October. I was in Lausanne for a few weeks last year visiting my new lab, so at least I am not totally unfamiliar with the place and all the invaluable information on this forum has gone a long way to ease the usual anxiety and concerns one has when it comes to moving to a different country to work.

A little bit about me… I am a 27 year old brissie boy (single). I was born in the little Pacific island of Fiji, immigrated to Australia with my folks and lived in Brisbane ever since… Queenslander through and through. I like to think of myself as being easy-going and sociable. I am pretty active and love my sport… currently playing a lot of touch rugby, soccer and the occasional game of tennis and I am a slight gym junkie. Hoping to continue with social sports once I have settled in Lausanne. I also enjoy getting together with mates for a night out.... drinks, dinner, movies.

Well… think that’s enough for initial introductions. I am sure I’ll have questions over the next few months. Looking forward to catching up the Lausanne crowd once I get there and hearing from others on this forum. Feel free to email/MSN me if needed.

Regards,
Sharmal.

Hiya Nighteyes, always good to welcome sociable people here. I'll look forward to your posts on the reality of settling in Switzerland and hope it tallies with your positive attitude.

Hi Nighteyes, nice to meet ya, I don't think there will be any problems as to keeping up with your sports, there are quite a few options on here alone.

Have a good trip over and don't forget to bring a few winter woollies with you !!

Ros

Hello Nighteyes,

What an interesting life you have had... sounds quite similar to mine.
Was born in Tonga, moved to Australia (NT) then to Brisbane. Did Uni there before moving to Sydney and Melbourne for work. Moved to Denmark a few years ago for work and finally Basel Switzerland.
Work in marketing in the Chemical / Pharma industry which Basel is well known for. Basel is a border city so we often do our shopping in France or germany, only 10 mins away... literally!
Also crazy about sport... tennis, cricket.. actually paly in Basel occasionally. Have a family now so gym is also my best friend at the moment..
Enjoy your time hear... very different to Australia but a fantastic place to raise children...

Greetings again,

Thanks for all the welcoming and encouraging words Oldhand, Delphinium Blue and Outback boy.

One of the things I am not really looking forward to is facing the winter in Lausanne. Growing up in Fiji, I had no idea what winter really was. My first winter in Brisbane was a totally an awful experience. It ranges from 10-20 degrees C in winter in Brisbane, so it was should be some experience spending my first winter in Lausanne. I will remember to buy some extra warm woollies before October. On the up side, I am really looking forward to seeing some snow and trying my hands at skiing.

Sharmal.

Just wait, a couple of winters here and you'll spend the rest of the year depressed, waiting for the ski-season to come around again :-)