Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Four and a half months have now passed since we moved to Switzerland. "They say," after moving abroad, you will be exhilarated and excited at first and then experience a real low period, missing your home culture and frustrated with your new culture. I definitely experienced the exhilaration and excitement of learning all about this new (to me) culture, and perhaps because of my experiences working with interculturalists and Cultural Detective the "lows" never got too low or lasted very long. I truly love living here and feel very comfortable with the lifestyle, even without a car, as crazy as that seems.
It is strange to think just four and a half months ago I was driving all over, everywhere I wanted to go, or in reality wherever my kids needed to be taken. I know my body thanks me for the more active lifestyle, even when I reeeaaaallllly wish I had a car - like for the trek to the birthday party of Gus' friend Saturday morning, in the rain, running to the train so we're not late.
When we decided to move here, Mike and I discussed that this would be the year of adventure for our family - the opportunity of a lifetime, to travel around Europe and help our kids to really experience the different cultures, lifestyles and people we would have the opportunity to encounter. After this short time I am really starting to understand how meaningful this experience will be not only for our kids but for each of us individually as well as our family unit. We have each grown and matured, and as a family we have been able to really depend on each other, in ways we haven't needed to in the past. This experience has connected us deeply and for that alone it has been worthwhile.
In these first few months we have had the opportunity to do some fabulous traveling. For the kids fall school break, I took them to London for 5 days. Unfortunately Mike had to work that week as a big conversion had been planned a year in advance (without consulting the new school calendar!) We had a great time figuring out the English "Tube" and double decker bus systems, seeing the London Bridge, the Tower of London, the London Eye, a ride on a "Duck" and watching a few movies as well as a fun play called "We will Rock You" (the Queen songs were featured.) London is a great city and we really had a fun time visiting. (Another place I think I could live.)
Then in November, Mike's Mom and Dad visited us in Zurich (a once in a lifetime trip they would say and a treat for us to share our new life with them), and Mike and I had the opportunity to fly to Athens for a week. The city was much larger than I had expected. We climbed to the Parthenon, drove along the Mediterranean Sea, took a cruise to three Greek islands, and partied at a Byzantine Estate for a final night of the conference Mike attended. Greece is very beautiful and even more international than Zurich. Almost everyone we came into contact with spoke English, which made getting around very easy for us. We will hope to take the kids back to see this country - truly beautiful!
During the last week of Patty and Fred's visit we all took the TGV (train grand vitesse) to Paris from Thalwil. What a cool experience! The train went through Geneva so we spent one night there and did a small amount of sight seeing (walking around the lake and old town) the next day before we hopped on the train again to Paris. I quickly remembered how much I love the French language and France as a country. Learning the language and about the culture as a teenager (and then falling in love with it during my brief summer stay as an exchange student) was really what kept me dreaming about someday living there.
We got to see parts of Paris I had never seen before (and some parts I'll be happy to never see again) , which made the experience rich and interesting for each of us! So there's a quick story about the apartment I rented online - turned out to really not fit our needs (haha!) as the staircase to the main bedrooms was really just a hole cut through the floor boards with a ladder to the bottom floor - an interesting night of horror was had by all! Mike took matters into his own hands and set us up in a very nice hotel in a bit more posh area of Paris. We sent the grandparents and the kids to the new hotel via taxi and Mike and I walked from the apartment to the hotel. This was one of my favorite experiences this trip -it was about a 2-3 mile walk from the theater district to the Opera house on a beautiful sunny day. The cafes, shops, Arcs, Monuments, and beautiful department stores (Printemps and Lafayette Galleries) along the way made for an amazing walk.
The two key monuments we wanted to see while we were in Paris this trip were the Louvre (and especially Mona Lisa) and the Eiffel Tower. We managed to see both (the Eiffel Tower early evening so as night fell and the lights came on across the city it was beautiful) and had walks along the river, chocolate crepes, outdoor cafe meals and just an amazing experience for us all. Unfortunately, the day before we left my wallet was stolen - major bummer shutting down the credit cards, and realizing our Swiss permits, driver's license and other cards all now had to be reissued. I got to experience the French police system by reporting the crime and then we were off via train back to Thalwil, where I would continue to deal with the wallet issue for the next month.
We also had a first for our kids in Switzerland, two weeks before we returned to KC for the holidays, we took the family skiing in the Swiss Alps while it snowed (Engelberg, Switzerland a beautiful little village about an hour away.) The kids absolutely loved it - and Mike and I did pretty well for our selves as well. We had our own private ski instructor for the family, which was a great way to introduce ourselves to the sport. We're all excited to go back and do some more skiing in February with our friends Pierre, Michaela, Patricia and Pascale (a German family we have connected with in Zurich).
In these few months we've learned so many things about the Swiss culture and have begun to adapt in several ways. I am frequently finding similarities between how I was raised (German descendants) and some of the SwissGerman cultural nuances. I'm really thankful my children are getting to see different ways of living. As I grew up, I was very grounded in American culture (with German influences), and was taught the "right way" to do things, the "right way" to be. There was nothing wrong with this except that I really believed I was "right." Although in my head I knew there were other ways, it really wasn't until being emersed in and living and seeing first hand other "right ways" to be that I've realized there are just ways. I get a lot of joy experiencing the differences and being open to living them. Some differences I really like, and some not so much, but I feel so enriched to have the opportunity to experience them.
I am grateful to my husband for being willing and able to make my dream a reality for me and our family - and I believe deeply it has opened the world (as no USA centric experience could) to our children. I can't wait to see what they do with it!
It is strange to think just four and a half months ago I was driving all over, everywhere I wanted to go, or in reality wherever my kids needed to be taken. I know my body thanks me for the more active lifestyle, even when I reeeaaaallllly wish I had a car - like for the trek to the birthday party of Gus' friend Saturday morning, in the rain, running to the train so we're not late.
When we decided to move here, Mike and I discussed that this would be the year of adventure for our family - the opportunity of a lifetime, to travel around Europe and help our kids to really experience the different cultures, lifestyles and people we would have the opportunity to encounter. After this short time I am really starting to understand how meaningful this experience will be not only for our kids but for each of us individually as well as our family unit. We have each grown and matured, and as a family we have been able to really depend on each other, in ways we haven't needed to in the past. This experience has connected us deeply and for that alone it has been worthwhile.
In these first few months we have had the opportunity to do some fabulous traveling. For the kids fall school break, I took them to London for 5 days. Unfortunately Mike had to work that week as a big conversion had been planned a year in advance (without consulting the new school calendar!) We had a great time figuring out the English "Tube" and double decker bus systems, seeing the London Bridge, the Tower of London, the London Eye, a ride on a "Duck" and watching a few movies as well as a fun play called "We will Rock You" (the Queen songs were featured.) London is a great city and we really had a fun time visiting. (Another place I think I could live.)
Then in November, Mike's Mom and Dad visited us in Zurich (a once in a lifetime trip they would say and a treat for us to share our new life with them), and Mike and I had the opportunity to fly to Athens for a week. The city was much larger than I had expected. We climbed to the Parthenon, drove along the Mediterranean Sea, took a cruise to three Greek islands, and partied at a Byzantine Estate for a final night of the conference Mike attended. Greece is very beautiful and even more international than Zurich. Almost everyone we came into contact with spoke English, which made getting around very easy for us. We will hope to take the kids back to see this country - truly beautiful!
During the last week of Patty and Fred's visit we all took the TGV (train grand vitesse) to Paris from Thalwil. What a cool experience! The train went through Geneva so we spent one night there and did a small amount of sight seeing (walking around the lake and old town) the next day before we hopped on the train again to Paris. I quickly remembered how much I love the French language and France as a country. Learning the language and about the culture as a teenager (and then falling in love with it during my brief summer stay as an exchange student) was really what kept me dreaming about someday living there.
We got to see parts of Paris I had never seen before (and some parts I'll be happy to never see again) , which made the experience rich and interesting for each of us! So there's a quick story about the apartment I rented online - turned out to really not fit our needs (haha!) as the staircase to the main bedrooms was really just a hole cut through the floor boards with a ladder to the bottom floor - an interesting night of horror was had by all! Mike took matters into his own hands and set us up in a very nice hotel in a bit more posh area of Paris. We sent the grandparents and the kids to the new hotel via taxi and Mike and I walked from the apartment to the hotel. This was one of my favorite experiences this trip -it was about a 2-3 mile walk from the theater district to the Opera house on a beautiful sunny day. The cafes, shops, Arcs, Monuments, and beautiful department stores (Printemps and Lafayette Galleries) along the way made for an amazing walk.
The two key monuments we wanted to see while we were in Paris this trip were the Louvre (and especially Mona Lisa) and the Eiffel Tower. We managed to see both (the Eiffel Tower early evening so as night fell and the lights came on across the city it was beautiful) and had walks along the river, chocolate crepes, outdoor cafe meals and just an amazing experience for us all. Unfortunately, the day before we left my wallet was stolen - major bummer shutting down the credit cards, and realizing our Swiss permits, driver's license and other cards all now had to be reissued. I got to experience the French police system by reporting the crime and then we were off via train back to Thalwil, where I would continue to deal with the wallet issue for the next month.
We also had a first for our kids in Switzerland, two weeks before we returned to KC for the holidays, we took the family skiing in the Swiss Alps while it snowed (Engelberg, Switzerland a beautiful little village about an hour away.) The kids absolutely loved it - and Mike and I did pretty well for our selves as well. We had our own private ski instructor for the family, which was a great way to introduce ourselves to the sport. We're all excited to go back and do some more skiing in February with our friends Pierre, Michaela, Patricia and Pascale (a German family we have connected with in Zurich).
In these few months we've learned so many things about the Swiss culture and have begun to adapt in several ways. I am frequently finding similarities between how I was raised (German descendants) and some of the SwissGerman cultural nuances. I'm really thankful my children are getting to see different ways of living. As I grew up, I was very grounded in American culture (with German influences), and was taught the "right way" to do things, the "right way" to be. There was nothing wrong with this except that I really believed I was "right." Although in my head I knew there were other ways, it really wasn't until being emersed in and living and seeing first hand other "right ways" to be that I've realized there are just ways. I get a lot of joy experiencing the differences and being open to living them. Some differences I really like, and some not so much, but I feel so enriched to have the opportunity to experience them.
I am grateful to my husband for being willing and able to make my dream a reality for me and our family - and I believe deeply it has opened the world (as no USA centric experience could) to our children. I can't wait to see what they do with it!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
One Month
On Monday we will have been in Switzerland for one month. Based on how fast this month has passed, I can only assume this year is going to fly by! So many good experiences have happened during this month, especially related to the kids school, ZIS.
I had no idea how quickly the kids (and we as the parents) would make friends in an international school compared to moving within the States. The international school kids are very used to moving and jumping right into new friendships as quickly as possible. I think they just want normal childhood life to take place, and maybe they really get how people are all the same in many ways so they'll find the connections and learn from and enjoy the differences. It's such an incredible experience for our kids, who are used to a bit more judgement and hesitation based on made-up variables, before acceptance (especially at Sarah's age and being a girl.)
And amazingly, I've noticed the same general acceptance and desire for quick friendships from the adults. Everyone is so kind and really looking for connections and true friendships. This way the roots can grow quicker and life can seem not so chaotic and stressful (as all moves are stressful.) It's as though we all have been transported to this magical place where people just want to be with other people and be understood. But understanding doesn't have to come from people who are the "same" as in nationality or ethnicity, as one might find in domestic move situations. Here, our commonality is "that we move most anywhere" and are willing to live the expat life as it is known. I didn't really get what the term the "expat life" meant until I had the privilege of experiencing it first hand. It really is a privilege, one that I will cherish for my whole life.
This week-end Sarah had her first school dance - here they called it a Disco - with the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes. I just cannot believe she is already at this stage in her life. Complete gawkiness and utter confusion with herself is about to ensue, and in some ways has already begun, but she still seems like my little girl when she reaches out for a hug. I'm really enjoying those hugs these days. Anyway, she went to the dance with two girlfriends and while they danced the night away, Gus, Mike and I joined the parents of the two girls for food and wine (just food for Gus of course.) What a great night we all had! Two Americans, two Austrians and two Germans (luckily they all spoke English) really had a great time getting to know each other and just relaxing together while our kids moved into a new level of life. The girls came home exhausted but full of cheer, excited about their new friends and life experiences (one friend of the girls danced with an 8th grader!) Then Sarah and her two new friends came back to our flat for a sleepover - really cool for Sarah!
On the Gus side of things - he got to attend a birthday party at an awesome waterpark in Pfaffikon (the p is silent) while the rest of us shopped at a nearby mall. Just as a side note, there are so many clothing needs, especially shoes, at the new school! The shoe requirement is very interesting and reflects the complete cleanliness of the country and culture of the people. The kids are required to have "indoor" shoes and "outdoor" shoes for school, and to take on class trips, etc. And since Sarah will be going on a class trip which includes a lot of hiking in a few weeks, she's also required to have the appropriate hiking boots and attire. Sarah has been somewhat appauled by these requirements, but I rather like the cleanliness and don't mind that she gets suited up appropriately for the trip. Now back to Gus, who had a fantastic time at this great waterpark - after one week invited to a kids party in his class, which I assumed meant the child had invited the whole class. No, he chose the kids he wanted to invite, how cool is that for Gus!
So, although we still have lighting to hang, and lots to figure out about Swiss life, this first month has been very memorable and I have been loving every minute (well almost) of it. It's truly been a dream come true for me. ( Which by the way, Sarah has been telling the parents of her friends that her Dad has made her mom's dreams come true - how cool is that?!)
I had no idea how quickly the kids (and we as the parents) would make friends in an international school compared to moving within the States. The international school kids are very used to moving and jumping right into new friendships as quickly as possible. I think they just want normal childhood life to take place, and maybe they really get how people are all the same in many ways so they'll find the connections and learn from and enjoy the differences. It's such an incredible experience for our kids, who are used to a bit more judgement and hesitation based on made-up variables, before acceptance (especially at Sarah's age and being a girl.)
And amazingly, I've noticed the same general acceptance and desire for quick friendships from the adults. Everyone is so kind and really looking for connections and true friendships. This way the roots can grow quicker and life can seem not so chaotic and stressful (as all moves are stressful.) It's as though we all have been transported to this magical place where people just want to be with other people and be understood. But understanding doesn't have to come from people who are the "same" as in nationality or ethnicity, as one might find in domestic move situations. Here, our commonality is "that we move most anywhere" and are willing to live the expat life as it is known. I didn't really get what the term the "expat life" meant until I had the privilege of experiencing it first hand. It really is a privilege, one that I will cherish for my whole life.
This week-end Sarah had her first school dance - here they called it a Disco - with the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes. I just cannot believe she is already at this stage in her life. Complete gawkiness and utter confusion with herself is about to ensue, and in some ways has already begun, but she still seems like my little girl when she reaches out for a hug. I'm really enjoying those hugs these days. Anyway, she went to the dance with two girlfriends and while they danced the night away, Gus, Mike and I joined the parents of the two girls for food and wine (just food for Gus of course.) What a great night we all had! Two Americans, two Austrians and two Germans (luckily they all spoke English) really had a great time getting to know each other and just relaxing together while our kids moved into a new level of life. The girls came home exhausted but full of cheer, excited about their new friends and life experiences (one friend of the girls danced with an 8th grader!) Then Sarah and her two new friends came back to our flat for a sleepover - really cool for Sarah!
On the Gus side of things - he got to attend a birthday party at an awesome waterpark in Pfaffikon (the p is silent) while the rest of us shopped at a nearby mall. Just as a side note, there are so many clothing needs, especially shoes, at the new school! The shoe requirement is very interesting and reflects the complete cleanliness of the country and culture of the people. The kids are required to have "indoor" shoes and "outdoor" shoes for school, and to take on class trips, etc. And since Sarah will be going on a class trip which includes a lot of hiking in a few weeks, she's also required to have the appropriate hiking boots and attire. Sarah has been somewhat appauled by these requirements, but I rather like the cleanliness and don't mind that she gets suited up appropriately for the trip. Now back to Gus, who had a fantastic time at this great waterpark - after one week invited to a kids party in his class, which I assumed meant the child had invited the whole class. No, he chose the kids he wanted to invite, how cool is that for Gus!
So, although we still have lighting to hang, and lots to figure out about Swiss life, this first month has been very memorable and I have been loving every minute (well almost) of it. It's truly been a dream come true for me. ( Which by the way, Sarah has been telling the parents of her friends that her Dad has made her mom's dreams come true - how cool is that?!)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Why Move To Switzerland?
I believe my sense of adventure and travel comes from my parents, as they were always planning our next vacation - usually somewhere warm and around lots of water and beautiful vegetation (rivers, lakes, oceans, sometimes mountains and national parks - it really didn't matter.) So Zurich, Switzerland, although never a country I dreamed about visiting much less living in, is reallythe ideal location for me to now live. Residing just up the hill from Lake Zurich, with a fantastic view of the Alps, Lake Zurich, boats of all sizes and the sourounding villages is definitely a dream come true (growing up I just didn't know Zurich would fulfill that dream.)
When I was in middle school and high school different languages and cultures intrigued me the most. I think this interest came from my grandparents speaking German around the grandkids when they didn't want us to know what they were saying. And since my personality is one of always wanting to know what's going on, I really wanted to learn other languages. I chose French in school, but now I get the opportunity to learn German and learn about a culture that I believe is very similar to that of my grandparents (whose parents came to the States from the Bavarian part of Germany.)
It's really been exciting to learn about the Swiss culture and begin to realize why my grandparents did things the way they did them. Just little things, like stocking their fridge with Fanta, and finding Fanta to be so prevalent here in Switzerland. The food tradiditons of the meats and cheeses and baked goods my Grandmother would prepare are coming back to me as I experience the Swiss foods. I don't think my Grandparents ever got to see Bavaria and have these types of experiences, so hopefully my experiences will somehow be shared with them in heaven.
It's been amazing meeting people through the kids new school (Zurich International School; ZIS) and finding out where they are from and where they have lived. In one family the mother is from Moscow, the father is from Tel Aviv and their two sons were born in Houston, TX! Another family is originally from Switzerland, lived 10 years in the USA, 10 years in London and now has returned to Switzerland. Many people from the East Coast have reached out to me just to offer their help, in any way, as they know what's it's like to move to a foreign country trying to figure out how to acheive the day to day tasks. There are so many support organizations through the web, the schools, Mike's work, and in the community. This has somewhat surprised me, even being in a work environment where this is basically what I do - help people adjust/adapt and live better in the midst of cultural differences.
After having been here for just two weeks, I feel very comfortable and contented (but have an even stronger desire to learn German!) Learning the language will help me integrate more with the Swiss, without the language knowledge, the Swiss are very helpful and kind, but I am still a foreigner.
When I was in middle school and high school different languages and cultures intrigued me the most. I think this interest came from my grandparents speaking German around the grandkids when they didn't want us to know what they were saying. And since my personality is one of always wanting to know what's going on, I really wanted to learn other languages. I chose French in school, but now I get the opportunity to learn German and learn about a culture that I believe is very similar to that of my grandparents (whose parents came to the States from the Bavarian part of Germany.)
It's really been exciting to learn about the Swiss culture and begin to realize why my grandparents did things the way they did them. Just little things, like stocking their fridge with Fanta, and finding Fanta to be so prevalent here in Switzerland. The food tradiditons of the meats and cheeses and baked goods my Grandmother would prepare are coming back to me as I experience the Swiss foods. I don't think my Grandparents ever got to see Bavaria and have these types of experiences, so hopefully my experiences will somehow be shared with them in heaven.
It's been amazing meeting people through the kids new school (Zurich International School; ZIS) and finding out where they are from and where they have lived. In one family the mother is from Moscow, the father is from Tel Aviv and their two sons were born in Houston, TX! Another family is originally from Switzerland, lived 10 years in the USA, 10 years in London and now has returned to Switzerland. Many people from the East Coast have reached out to me just to offer their help, in any way, as they know what's it's like to move to a foreign country trying to figure out how to acheive the day to day tasks. There are so many support organizations through the web, the schools, Mike's work, and in the community. This has somewhat surprised me, even being in a work environment where this is basically what I do - help people adjust/adapt and live better in the midst of cultural differences.
After having been here for just two weeks, I feel very comfortable and contented (but have an even stronger desire to learn German!) Learning the language will help me integrate more with the Swiss, without the language knowledge, the Swiss are very helpful and kind, but I am still a foreigner.
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