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Geneva
No
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They speak French here. I had French in College but that was many years ago. I am beginning to pick it up but would love to take some conversational lessons when we get a bit more settled.
No - I love to travel and lived in the middle east in high school. My husband also lived overseas growing up. Our kids are resilient and do well in new situations so we knew they would adjust.
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I found it difficult to do the simplest of things: buy a washing machine. Figure out my home telephone system, get my son into a local sport, sign a contract for a cell phone. There was also the shock over the expense of meat. We are affluent successful people. we now are unknown insignificant people here. We do not have clout and can not "make things happen". You have to follow the rules and wait.
There was definitely the honey moon stage. Then I used humor to deal with the irritation stage. I do love it here now! There are so many benefits.
We all have lost weight from a change in our food buying habits and cooking - these are directly related to our shock over the price of food. I now drink wine instead of having a cocktail - wine is good and cheap. Booze is expensive. Going out for dinner or a coffee is now a special treat due to the expense. We do a lot less shopping because clothing is very expensive here.
We love the public transportation and my teens love their independence as a result. We also love our proximity to great travel destinations. On our calendar is a concert in Paris and a spring break trip to Italy.
The lack of local language skills is at the top of the list. It isolates you and forms a barrier in what in your own country would be friendly, every day, people to people contact situations: such as pleasantries exchanged with a check out clerk or a neighbor while walking the dog.
I also feel out of it with regards to the news: what is going on in the arts, politics. I used to be well informed, now I am not at all. I have been too busy getting my kids settled, hooking up utilities, figuring out our mail forwarding, our taxes, etc.
The only thing I can think of is when my daughter & I went shopping - we traipsed through stores trying things on including shoes, coats, make-up, etc. I think perhaps they are accustomed to more formally assisting you where as we are used to helping ourselves. I felt like a bull in a china shop! The reverse is true at the grocery stores-while we are used to having our groceries bagged - here, they shove it down to the end & you are supposed to bag it yourself - in your own bags. If you aren't quick enough, the next person's things get mixed in and they give you a look!
The best advice is to have a good sense of humor. You should not make value judgments filtered though the norms of your own country. Just because things are not done the way you do them in your home country, does not mean they are wrong or stupid. By keeping an open mind, you may be surprised by the new things you will learn. Remember that your kids take their cues from you. If you take the difficulties in stride and make things fun, they will adjust more quickly. If you do your best to pave the way for them, they will meet new friends and try new food.
Advice from expats in Switzerland on housing search, finding a job in Switzerland, international schools, expat clubs and organizations, learning the language and cost of living. A must read for newcomers and anyone moving to Switzerland.
Expats in Switzerland advise newcomers to join a few expat clubs, learn German (or French / Italian), enjoy the outdoors and travel Europe.
Switzerland is a country rich with tradition, natural beauty and one of the most stable economies in the world. It is, however, also extremely expensive and expats often report difficult settling into the culture.
I took French at the Universite de Geneve. Good programme and cost effective. The university is located close to the "downtown". I would recommend you check it out (not many "Americans" so you will be forced to learn). http://www.unige.ch/lettres/elcf/coursete/contact_en.html
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Advice from expats in Switzerland on housing search, finding a job in Switzerland, international schools, expat clubs and organizations, learning the language and cost of living. A must read for newcomers and anyone moving to Switzerland.
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Expats in Zurich, Switzerland find themselves in one of the most important financial centers in Europe, and the world. While they are treated to a city with many English speakers, it can be difficult to find good housing... and friends!
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