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18.08.2021, 09:20
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| | Why do i want to be Swiss?
Hi all. Im in the process of filling out my naturalisation application and in a typical me fashion im panicking. The reason is that there are three questions that i need to fill out.
1. How do i think my future access to the civil rights.
I guess i have to say something about being able to vote?
2. Why do i want to be Swiss?
Well, im here for years already and i plan to stay so it makes sense?
3. How do i participate in Swiss life?
I go to all the events that happen in the canton?
Any other ideas? I cant really participate in organised groups or clubs because im working weird hours that are not fixed. Basically, my job is the reason im here but it also doesnt allow me to have a normal schedule. I dont want to lie in the form but how do i make them not throw it immediately in the trash?
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18.08.2021, 09:25
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss?
How come you only get 3 questions to answer?
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18.08.2021, 09:43
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | Hi all. Im in the process of filling out my naturalisation application and in a typical me fashion im panicking. The reason is that there are three questions that i need to fill out.
1. How do i think my future access to the civil rights.
I guess i have to say something about being able to vote?
2. Why do i want to be Swiss?
Well, im here for years already and i plan to stay so it makes sense?
3. How do i participate in Swiss life?
I go to all the events that happen in the canton?
Any other ideas? I cant really participate in organised groups or clubs because im working weird hours that are not fixed. Basically, my job is the reason im here but it also doesnt allow me to have a normal schedule. I dont want to lie in the form but how do i make them not throw it immediately in the trash?
Thanks for any tips  | | | | |
i'd think of a better answer for #2. you can stay here without being swiss.
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18.08.2021, 09:46
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | i'd think of a better answer for #2. you can stay here without being swiss. | | | | | Probably saying you feel more 'Swiss' than anything else as you have spent more of your life as an adult in Switzerland (assuming thats true)
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18.08.2021, 09:58
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | Probably saying you feel more 'Swiss' than anything else as you have spent more of your life as an adult in Switzerland (assuming thats true) | | | | | LOL.
The only thing this thread makes me wonder is why does she?!
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18.08.2021, 10:15
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss?
The original text of the first question would be nice, since your translation seems a bit off.
I'm guessing. 1. How do I feel about future access to civil rights?
A. One of the drivers behind wanting Swiss citizenship is the ability to vote. I consider voting the cornerstone of a democratic society, and feel I want to be able to have a say in the country where I want to be for the rest of my life. 2. What do I want to be Swiss?
A. I identify with Swiss values of freedom and democracy. I enjoy the order and peace. Some of my children have already naturalised and will be staying here. My Swiss grandchildren will be growing up here. I have no real ties with my native land, except for elderly parents and my sisters. My family is here and is likely to stay here. 3. How do I participate in Swiss life?
I regular go to festivals and celebrations. I regular attend a Swiss church where they speak mainly dialect. I'm a member of a small group within that church where most people are Swiss. I use Swiss services and shops. I'm learning dialect so that I can understand better when people address me in dialect, although I don't think I'll ever speak dialect convincingly.
That's how I'd answer. Going through the process now, but I've not had to answer those questions in writing. They'll be part of the second interview concerning integration. I did have to write an account of my life in Switzerland.
At least where I live membership of local clubs and organisations is not a requirement. They just want to know that you pay your taxes, don't live in an expat bubble and don't cause trouble.
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18.08.2021, 10:20
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | The original text of the first question would be nice, since your translation seems a bit off.
I'm guessing. 1. How do I feel about future access to civil rights?
A. One of the drivers behind wanting Swiss citizenship is the ability to vote. I consider voting the cornerstone of a democratic society, and feel I want to be able to have a say in the country where I want to be for the rest of my life. 2. What do I want to be Swiss?
A. I identify with Swiss values of freedom and democracy. I enjoy the order and peace. Some of my children have already naturalised and will be staying here. My Swiss grandchildren will be growing up here. I have no real ties with my native land, except for elderly parents and my sisters. My family is here and is likely to stay here. 3. How do I participate in Swiss life?
I regular go to festivals and celebrations. I regular attend a Swiss church where they speak mainly dialect. I'm a member of a small group within that church where most people are Swiss. I use Swiss services and shops. I'm learning dialect so that I can understand better when people address me in dialect, although I don't think I'll ever speak dialect convincingly.
That's how I'd answer. Going through the process now, but I've not had to answer those questions in writing. They'll be part of the second interview concerning integration.
At least where I live membership of local clubs and organisations is not a requirement. They just want to know that you pay your taxes, don't live in an expat bubble and don't cause trouble. | | | | | I have never heard a Catholic priest use Swiss German during mass so be careful of embellishing any answers.
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18.08.2021, 10:39
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | I have never heard a Catholic priest use Swiss German during mass so be careful of embellishing any answers. | | | | | Maybe it’s the congregation that speak dialect, not the priest?
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18.08.2021, 10:41
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | i have no real ties with my native land, except for elderly parents and my sisters. | | | | | Pretty strong tie
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18.08.2021, 12:02
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss?
Here are some further ideas, to adapt as they might fit you. They're an adaptation, from a slightly different angle, of NotAllThere's replies. 1. How do I feel about future access to civil rights?
I find it a wonderful system that the people are those who can change policy. In many other countries, also my home country, that simply is not possible.
A few months ago, I asked a Swiss friend to show me his voting papers, and we sat down and read through the information packages together. I was impressed by all the detail. I understood then, better than I had before, that one has to think deeply about the matter, and inform oneself properly before deciding which way to vote. I think it would be an honour to be allowed to participate in that process. 2. What do I want to be Swiss?
I'm a law-abiding person, and I really appreciate living in a place where, by and large, the rest of the population also does the right thing. I'm grateful that things are clean and orderly.
I like the feeling that I can pay my taxes and have a reasonable trust that they will be used to maintain proper schools and to keep the streetlights, libraries and swimming-pools (and some local recent building project of which you know, e.g. the hospital heating system) in good condition.
I enjoy the amount of information available about the many paid and voluntary services here.
Switzerland has become my home, I'm used to things here, and I feel settled. 3. How do I participate in Swiss life?
I work hard, with long and irregular hours as an name-of-job, which prevent me from joining any clubs that meet regularly. However, more than half of my work colleagues are Swiss, and in our casual conversations over coffee, we often talk about current issues in our town, or in Switzerland. They, and my Swiss neighbours, helped me a lot, with managing to settle into everyday life.
I remember that when I first came here, I was always thinking back to my home country, comparing everything, such as about which shops to buy which products, and nowaday that is all far away, so that Migros, Coop, Denner and Bau und Hobby are my natural Go To starting points, for anything.
Although my job requires me to have a car, in my free time I enjoy using public transport, for example on a recent train trip on the Rigi Rundfahrt. I love the cycle paths.
I've helped other newcomers to settle in: learing about the recycling systems, understanding the transport, adapting to the rules here, enjoying nature and finding local social events.
Before covid, I used to go, spontaneously, to Swiss events, such as a 1st of August celebration, and I liked the Zürifäscht, and found the Basler Morgestraich very impressive.
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18.08.2021, 12:16
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss?
Subscribe to the local journal, and Coop's Betty Bossy*, visit Museums particularly the National ones in Zürich and Prangins.
Anything that suggests you are already integrated.
*Nothing is more Swiss than Betty Bossy, even though she doesn't exist.
And don't forget, you are becoming a citizen of Geneva not of the country (although the second follows the first).
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18.08.2021, 12:21
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | I have never heard a Catholic priest use Swiss German during mass so be careful of embellishing any answers. | | | | | The OP is in Geneva, while there is a dialect nobody actually uses it. And the Genevois are quite indifferent to religion.
Last edited by bowlie; 18.08.2021 at 12:23.
Reason: Damn predictive spelling
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18.08.2021, 12:22
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | i'd think of a better answer for #2. you can stay here without being swiss. | | | | | In my case, I cannot exclude that I might leave Switzerland at some point for an assignment abroad for work. I can't exclude it might even be a multi year assignment. And losing any privileges deriving from my time spent here might indeed be a problem if all is reset to zero and I have to start over.
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18.08.2021, 12:24
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | I have never heard a Catholic priest use Swiss German during mass so be careful of embellishing any answers. | | | | | I have.
I have been to churches where the official part was in Hochdeutsch but when it came to announcements and small stuff the priest switched to dialect. And of course coffee conversations afterwards were all dialect
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18.08.2021, 12:30
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | I have.
I have been to churches where the official part was in Hochdeutsch but when it came to announcements and small stuff the priest switched to dialect. And of course coffee conversations afterwards were all dialect | | | | | Not in Geneva, you didn't.
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18.08.2021, 12:53
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | ...*Nothing is more Swiss than Betty Bossy, even though she doesn't exist....... | | | | | And unfortunately lost it's touch when Coop bought it.
Too bad as they indeed were absolutely great before: Foolproof recipes (and I should know, I used to burn water in the old days) and high quality tools too.
I can't wait to read in Blick or 20Minutes about how peculiarly all applicants for naturalisation all of a sudden use the same reasons for their desire. Including the same typos in the form. | This user would like to thank curley for this useful post: | | 
18.08.2021, 12:56
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | I have never heard a Catholic priest use Swiss German during mass so be careful of embellishing any answers. | | | | | Visit a protestant church in the North. It's perfectly normal.
"Church" does not equal "Catholic Church". Exceptly possibly in the eyes of some Catholics. But that's ok, there's a few protestants who think "Church" equals "My Church".
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18.08.2021, 13:00
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | Pretty strong tie | | | | | Not really. We're not a close knit family. I see my parents once, maybe twice a year. I see one sister at family events only. The other may once every two years. Anyway, I'm in my 50s and the youngest. I think it's likely that by the end of my life I'll have no living close family members back in the UK.
If I had no family there, I'd rarely visit the UK. And then only as a tourist.
When my daughters went to the meeting where they were voted in as citizens, one of the other candidates was described as "although he has relatives in his home country, his life is centred in Switzerland". This is the key. Where is your life centred? I always find it weird when foreigners describing going to their native country as "going home". I mean, I understand why, but for me - this is home.
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18.08.2021, 13:01
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | Here are some further ideas, to adapt as they might fit you. They're an adaptation, from a slightly different angle, of NotAllThere's replies. 1. How do I feel about future access to civil rights?
I find it a wonderful system that the people are those who can change policy. In many other countries, also my home country, that simply is not possible.
A few months ago, I asked a Swiss friend to show me his voting papers, and we sat down and read through the information packages together. I was impressed by all the detail. I understood then, better than I had before, that one has to think deeply about the matter, and inform oneself properly before deciding which way to vote. I think it would be an honour to be allowed to participate in that process. 2. What do I want to be Swiss?
I'm a law-abiding person, and I really appreciate living in a place where, by and large, the rest of the population also does the right thing. I'm grateful that things are clean and orderly.
I like the feeling that I can pay my taxes and have a reasonable trust that they will be used to maintain proper schools and to keep the streetlights, libraries and swimming-pools (and some local recent building project of which you know, e.g. the hospital heating system) in good condition.
I enjoy the amount of information available about the many paid and voluntary services here.
Switzerland has become my home, I'm used to things here, and I feel settled. 3. How do I participate in Swiss life?
I work hard, with long and irregular hours as an name-of-job, which prevent me from joining any clubs that meet regularly. However, more than half of my work colleagues are Swiss, and in our casual conversations over coffee, we often talk about current issues in our town, or in Switzerland. They, and my Swiss neighbours, helped me a lot, with managing to settle into everyday life.
I remember that when I first came here, I was always thinking back to my home country, comparing everything, such as about which shops to buy which products, and nowaday that is all far away, so that Migros, Coop, Denner and Bau und Hobby are my natural Go To starting points, for anything.
Although my job requires me to have a car, in my free time I enjoy using public transport, for example on a recent train trip on the Rigi Rundfahrt. I love the cycle paths.
I've helped other newcomers to settle in: learing about the recycling systems, understanding the transport, adapting to the rules here, enjoying nature and finding local social events.
Before covid, I used to go, spontaneously, to Swiss events, such as a 1st of August celebration, and I liked the Zürifäscht, and found the Basler Morgestraich very impressive. | | | | |
If I read that, I'd think you were a sycophantic liar!
However, I'm neither the judge or the jury and I have no idea what is really expected.
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18.08.2021, 14:22
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| | Re: Why do i want to be Swiss? | Quote: | |  | | | Not really. We're not a close knit family. I see my parents once, maybe twice a year. I see one sister at family events only. The other may once every two years. Anyway, I'm in my 50s and the youngest. I think it's likely that by the end of my life I'll have no living close family members back in the UK.
If I had no family there, I'd rarely visit the UK. And then only as a tourist.
When my daughters went to the meeting where they were voted in as citizens, one of the other candidates was described as "although he has relatives in his home country, his life is centred in Switzerland". This is the key. Where is your life centred? I always find it weird when foreigners describing going to their native country as "going home". I mean, I understand why, but for me - this is home. | | | | | A bit sad to be so distanced from blood relatives in that way, especially elderly parents.
Anyway in the eyes of a Swiss, foreigners will always be foreign, whether they were born and grew up here, are naturalized or not and for many generations regardless of what the person identifies as.
Diversity is one of Switzerland’s key fortes and different cultures should be promoted and not washed down.
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