Hi Everyone,
My name is Sherrill may be moving to Zurich with my husband (who works for a major Swiss bank) and my 13 year old fraternal twin girls. We are American but relocated to London almost 4 years ago for my husband's career. My husband and I visited Zurich a few weeks ago to check out 2 international schools; InterCommunity and Zurich Int'l National. They both had waiting lists. One of my daughters has Asbergers and ADHD but she is very bright and high functioning.
My interests are reading, dancing, theater, comedy, good food and wine, traveling, dog walks.
I am concerned about several things a) What I'll do with my time. I work part time as a teaching assistant and film/tv extra here b) getting the necessary support and services for my daughter in English b) being able live comfortably given how expensive things seem to be! c) living day to day in a place where English isn't the native language. I'm not good at learning languages.
What forum might I be able to find someone who's had direct experience with either of the above mentioned schools and Zurich area members who might have a child like mine?
Any information on my concerns and direct questions would be very much appreciated!
Looking forward to being a member!
Sherrill

to the EF, Sherrill! Discussions about children and schools take place on Family matters/health forum.

Since I do not live in Switzerland I will leave answering your questions to those who do, but let me make a couple of general comments.

Your concerns are shared by almost all newcomers, and have been discussed extensively. You will be advised to use the search function; I think that a couple of hours browsing will be more profitable.

There are two ways of addressing your worries about finances. Either do detailed arithmetic (many threads do give numbers that you can use), or rely on the fact that, while Switzerland is expensive, salaries by and large match the cost of living.

Try the international school in Zug. No wait and better quality school.

Take lots of German classes while your children are in school. You will make PLENTY of friends doing this and you will learn German even if youre not good at that kind of thing.

a) Learn German. Join one of the expat clubs and do charitable work. Go for lots of boat rides. Write a book. Enjoy the opportunity to do the things you love but never get time to do.

b) If your husband has been invited from overseas to work for a bank, you will certainly be able to afford living here. There may be some necessary changes to your way of life (living in a flat instead of a house, using public transport more, eating out less, for example), but you will not, by any standards, be poor. The average salary in Switzerland is about 60k (if I recall correctly). Anything more than that and you'll be quids in!

c) It is desirable to learn German, but you'll get by - for the first few months, at least - with a phrase book, your index fingers and lots of lots of shrugs and smiles. Quite a lot of people in Zurich speak English, and many of them love an opportunity to practice. Just be sure to learn 'Sorry, I don't speak much German', 'excuse me' and 'thank you' before you arrive. The rest will come with practice.

Good luck!

Hi
My name is Steph Roscoe and I have a pre school in Waedenswil! Not that that has anything to do with your Questions!!! But I can help you out with the Question about your daughter. Every 6 to 8 weeks I have a support group for parents with similar difficulties as yourself. If you contact me at keltickiddies@yahoo.com I can give you plenty of information and put you in touch with many families who can help you with your questions.
Hope this helps!