Hello Switzerland Issue 1/2016

issue 1 / 2016

NAMASTE

ENGLISH-SPEAKING YOGA STUDIOS FINDING CREATIVE INSPIRATION

EDUCATION

GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

e er on b m nd nu The ledge a rce know tion sou d’s n ira insp witzerla al for S rnation inte munity com

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4 IN THIS ISSUE

34

RICHARD HARVELL

10 MÜRREN

EDUCATION

31

38

WELCOME TO SWITZERLAND Letter from the editor Community wall Creative loafing The last word with British Ambassador David Moran Front cover: ©Tyler Olson/Dollar Photo Club Photos: (top left) © Domenico Sposato; (top right) © Danielle Satya Parla; (bottom left) © Allmendhubel /Schilthornbahn AG; (bottom right) © Robert Kneschke / Dollar Photo Club

YOGA

6 8 45 46

WHAT'S ON March calendar April calendar Exploding heads in Zurich

14 16 18

FEATURES Creativity The gift of time

10

Discover Switzerland Mürren — the best seat in the house

31

Health & Wellness Getting Shanti – English-speaking yoga studios

34

Education Exploring Switzerland’s international schools Tips for helping children settle in

38 42

EXPERT ADVICE Top prenatal care Swiss taxation of real estate Navigating the Swiss pension system Tailoring your insurance options Sleek home décor Redesigning relocation support Home entertainment trends

20 21 22 24 25 26 28

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6 LET TER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers, Time can be a gift or a burden, especially for expats navigating a new life. Over the years, I have personally swayed between extremes of contentment when I delve into a creative writing project and unrest when idle time is simply spent waiting for Switzerland to feel like “home.”

This issue of Hello Switzerland looks at creativity and those who have used their time to explore their creative sides, both professionally and as a hobby. You’ll meet novelist Richard Harvell and hear about his initial challenges adjusting to downtime, while Indira Atluri introduces you to expats who have used Switzerland as a launchpad to discover photography, jewelry design and knitting.

With spring on the doorstep, it’s also the perfect time to look for inspiration outdoors (creative or otherwise). Marina Moeller has an alp excursion planned for you in Mürren, while Danielle Satya Parla discovers English-speaking yoga studios throughout the country. In our education section, you’ll find great advice on navigating the international school scene to cultivate your little one’s potential.

As always, our Featured Partners address practical topics from retirement planning to the latest trends in home entertainment. Their experience working with the international community makes them ideal contacts for your questions.

We’re also proud to launch the Swiss Relocation Helpline — offering free advice from locals — see page 2.

Get ready to be inspired and discover Switzerland!

Ashley Roque Editor-in-Chief ashley.roque@helloswitzerland.ch

Publisher, COO Mike Tomsett Editor-in-chief Ashley Roque Production manager Saskia Geraldine Petz Graphic designer Randall Barriga Project officer Elias Poletti Community and account manager Lukas Hayoz Contributors Josephine Topping-Atkinson, Indira Atluri Born, Natalia Hedges, Marina Moeller, Danielle Satya Parla

CONTACT Advertising and sales Lukas Hayoz +41 58 356 16 27 partners@helloswitzerland.ch Distribution 19,500 copies throughout Switzerland

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS www.helloswitzerland.ch/hello-switzerlandmagazine Telephone & helpline +41 58 356 17 77 Web www.helloswitzerland.ch Email info@helloswitzerland.ch Twitter @helloswitzmag Facebook.com/HelloSwitzerland Writer contribution enquiries to ashley.roque@helloswitzerland.ch Disclaimer Content published by Hello Switzerland Ltd may not be copied or reproduced in any form without prior permission of Hello Switzerland Ltd or the author. Hello Switzerland Ltd accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions expressed by its writers. Our full terms and conditions can be found on our website.

Correction: “From Buckeyes to Newly Swissed” in issue 4/2015 incorrectly stated where Dimitri Buckhard grew up. He grew up in Canton Zurich.

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8 COMMUNIT Y WALL

A TIGHT KNIT CROWD

BY INDIRA ATLURI BORN

There are two ways to live life in a foreign land as an expat – as one seeking company of fellow countrymen and establishing a mini society of familiar customs and lifestyles, or taking up the challenge of breaking bread with the locals. I have lived in Switzerland for the last three years and early on realized that I could either get used to boredom or keep myself active. I knew what I would choose instantly, and opted to pursue a hobby.

Soon, I began trying to knit by watching videos on YouTube before taking on new challenges such as learning to crochet,

sew, paint, mold clay and more. What started as a way to keep busy while being holed up during the snowy winter months has now turned into a serious mission — to create new things, build a website and enjoy interacting with people who appreciate handmade crafts. What’s more, visiting handcraft markets and interacting with like-minded individuals has given me a sense of belonging, and I have been able to improve my German skills. Along my journey I’ve also met other expats who have brought with them their passion. Here are some of their stories.

Paul Brent — goldsmith, jewelry designer

United Kingdom Paul’s career in jewelry making began 10 years ago while travelling in Latin America. What started as a hobby soon became a serious career. Paul says he is very appreciative of the Swiss attitude towards handmade goods. He says he believes that locals do not hesitate to pay for high-quality products, thus giving him the impetus to create better jewellery without the constraints of material prices.

Finland Photography has always been a part of Julia’s life. From her early teens she hardly missed a chance to experiment with her parents’ Nikon and soon discovered a passion for capturing moments.

As soon as her parents decided to give her the camera, it became her most cherished possession and traveled across the globe with her.

Now living in Switzerland with her husband, Julia has taken part in three of the "Wikimedia Loves ..." photography competitions and has received an award each time. The competition requires participants to photograph specific locations and monuments, which gave her the chance to discover Switzerland, and learn more about Lucerne and Toggenburg.

This year she is launching a new version of her website that will focus on her jewelry photography skills, travel photography and anthropology work, as well as her personal abstract work.

leiju.net

Visit his website at

www.paulbrent.ch

Photos: © Julia Leijola

Julia Leijola — photographer, anthropologist

However, it was not a cakewalk for him to learn the cultural niceties and the language is still an obstacle. Contrary to what many believe, Paul says he thinks the Swiss are often talkative and interested in knowing why he moved here. He believes that the Verein association and club culture in Switzerland is very strong and is a great way to integrate into the Swiss society and to make friends. He is a member of the local business club in Degersheim.

COMMUNIT Y WALL 9

issue 1 / 2016

Stefanie Klees — jewelry designer, sound therapist

Germany After completing her studies in Ireland, Stefanie crossed the border for a job as a project leader with a Swiss company. But after a brief stint with the company, she realized she wanted to pursue her love of jewelry making that she cultivated in her 20s.

Stefanie says she feels that her new life as a jewelry designer has given her the opportunity to meet new people and learn new dialects. For example, being at the markets improved her Swiss-German skills significantly and she says she owes it to her decision to break free of norm.

Stefanie plans to organize crafting classes this year on.

Like Stefanie’s Facebook page ‘Besonders Schönes’ or visit her website at www.besonders-schoenes.ch

Paulette Kirkby — full-time employee and hobbyist

Isis Fross — massage therapist

United Kingdom

France

Photos: (top) © Silvia Gardedieux; (bottom) © Indira Atluri Born

As a little girl, Paulette watched her mother and grandmother knit. Being taught the basics, she quickly developed her own skills but admits knitting was more of a grandmother’s game and considered uncool thus leading her to cultivate other interests such as photography. Then there came a phase when knitting became popular and it was an opportunity Paulette knew she had to grab.

As for how she ended up in Switzerland, Paulette met her partner Michael in Australia when he was on a holiday.

Since he was living in Switzerland with a steady job, she decided to make the move, began attending German lessons and gave herself the challenge of knitting socks. Soon, she joined a local community center where she began interacting with other knitters, in part, as a way to improve her German. While Paulette works full-time in Bern, she continues to knit every single day. She says she looks forward to Friday evenings when she can knit for longer periods of time over a glass of wine and not have to worry about waking up early to get to office.

Isis is French by birth but also lived abroad before moving to Switzerland when she fell in love and married a man from Basel. As she discovered the country, she fell more in love with it and says that it is a great place to raise children.

When her marriage fell apart, Isis began lessons in massage therapy, an interest stemming from her childhood.

As a little girl, Isis was influenced by her grandmother who wrote down recipes for home remedies. Years later, she began making homemade creams for her family and it soon extended to friends. She says she learns a lot just by going to markets and receives requests for a combination of creams, soaps or scrubs.

She hopes to be able to have a permanent stand one day. Isis says she believes that her life is adventurous and would not have it any other way.

Like Isis’s Facebook page ‘Health & Feet. Bern’

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Discover clubs and communities at www.helloswitzerland.ch DirectoriesLeisure, Culture, Networking & Community

10 CREATIVIT Y

THE GIFT OF TIME Building a career is challenging enough without moving to Switzerland. For some though, the expat life creates a unique opportunity to explore creative outlets and even launch a new career. For advice from someone who has done just that, Ashley Roque sits down with novelist Richard Harvell.

Life abroad sparks many emotions — from e n j o y m e n t t o a n x i e t y. F o r m a n y accompanying partners, the transition can be more difficult, in part, because of excess down time. Maybe you left behind a blossoming career, evenings fi lled with friends chatting over the dinner table or simply the freedom to stroll down the grocery store aisles and understand what the products are on display.

Newly found time can be debilitating but for expats who have passed through this phase or are able to avoid it all together, added hours can be a gift. A chance to dive into a hobby. An opportunity to explore a new culture. Or even the opportunity to launch a career.

For Richard Har vell, a novelist and excecutive editor of publishing house Bergli Books, his move from the US to Switzerland with his Swiss wife was an opportunity to combine all three.

A DIVERGING PATH After withdrawing from Yale University and Dartmouth College in his early 20s, Richard headed to the Swiss Alps — first to visit friends, and then as a teaching intern and basketball coach for an international school near Interlaken.

“They couldn’t find a basketball coach in the middle of nowhere and I played basketball through high school,” he recalls.

“They just assumed any American would know how.”

During his year in the Alps, he met Swiss native Dominique, and they crafted a plan to spend nine months walking and biking from Switzerland to Istanbul.

“We walked a good distance of the way and biked a good distance of the way, and sort

of gave up in Romania, at the point it stopped being fun,” he recalls. “You get to know someone after nine months doing that sort of thing.”

Deciding to continue their relationship and head to the US, they married.

“I was 21,” he says with a laugh. “Dominique is horrified when I tell people I didn’t really believe that we were going to stay together.

I thought it was a green card marriage. That was … 2001. But somehow I think those might be the best ones.”

A CREATIVE OUTLET Married, Richard re-enrolled at Dartmouth to earn an English degree before returning to Switzerland for his “I constantly had this wife’s career — she is a primary existential terror that school music teacher.

While the move was a “better” career move for her, it meant Richard needed to map out his own path, starting with accepting a part-time English teaching job in Basel.

I’m not doing anything important with my life. I’m just wasting away, wasting time.”

“I had it very easy but that is actually a hard thing for someone who is in their mid-twenties and who has always been an over-achiever,” Richard recalls. “First I’m in little Liestal [a town in the rural canton of Basel Country] with five days off a week … but you can’t just sit down and write a great novel, that doesn’t work.

“I constantly had this existential terror that I’m not doing anything important with my life,” he adds. “I’m just wasting away, wasting time.”

So in his downtime, Richard spent 20 hours per week writing short stories and another 20 hours reading, while also seeking support from members of an English-speaking writers' group in Basel – Thin Raft.

CREATIVIT Y 11

issue 1 / 2016

mentality. I think there are a lot of people who have a hobby on the side.”

For those interested in delving into creative writing, Richard recommends getting involved in Switzerland’s English writing community, putting in the necessary time writing and making sure you know your market.

“Sure, I didn’t publish anything for my first couple of years and then somewhere I read the suggestion about the goal of getting 100 rejections in a year,” he explains.

While he missed the quota, only receiving rejections in the high 80s, he succeeded in publishing two stories in US journals – piquing agents’ interest and his subsequent work on a novel that “will never see the light of day.”

“It took place in the future. A bit of Ayn Rand meets Brave New World. Sort of a psychological, terrorist novel no one is going to be able to read,” he explains.

But from the “bad” writing, Richard moved on.

SOUND THE BELLS

Photo: © howardbrundrett.com

With his fi rst novel shelved, Richard refocused and began pulling inspiration from his time working in the Swiss Alps as a basketball coach, his wife’s vocal performance in the opera Orpheus and the history of musicos — young boy singers castrated before puberty to preserve their vocal range.

“I thought it was fascinating that s o m e o n e c o u l d be a s y m bo l o f masculinity on the stage but then in real life somehow not be a complete man,” he explains.

And so Richard began creating a story

“It’s a responsible thing as a writer to say, ‘Give up unless you really want to do this.’ You need to do it because you love it. ” set in the 18th century around a young boy called Moses from a small alpine community, his time singing in St. Gallen Abbey before a forced castration and subsequent journey to Austria in search of love.

Four years and 25 drafts later, Moses’ life was published as The Bells by Crown at Penguin Random House.

CREATIVIT Y AND WORK Whether Richard would have launched a fruitful career as a writer if he and his wife remained in the US will remain unanswered. Not only did his move and his expat life push him to succeed, he also credits the country’s work culture.

“I think Switzerland is very compatible with the writing life,” he explains.

“Despite being so hard working, the Swiss don’t have this ‘always work harder, always make more money, always do something better ’

“It’s a responsible thing as a writer to say, ‘Give up unless you really want to do this,’” he adds. “It is such a difficult market, such hard work. You need to do it because you love it.

You’ve got to do away with the pride.

If you can’t do that, then you’re lost.

You’ve got to be able to seek criticism, take criticism and give yourself criticism and you’ve got to put in the hours.”

SWITZERL AND’S INTERNATIONAL WRITING COMMUNIT Y The Geneva Writers' Group holds monthly writing workshops 10 times per year. With around 200 members, primarily expats of all ages, the group works in English on all forms of creative writing.

From 18-20 March 2016 the group will be hosting its 10th Geneva Writers Conference and Richard Harvell will be a panelist.

www.genevawritersgroup.org In Zurich, the Zurich Writers Workshop meets yearly for a weekend workshop that typically breaks into subgroups — one focused on nonfiction writing and the other on fiction.

www.zurichwritersworkshop.com

MORE INFORMATION To learn more about Richard Harvell and his work, visit www.richardharvell.com

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14 WHAT’S ON WWW.HELLOSWITZERL AND.CH /EVENTS

MARCH 2016 Carrots, lanterns and blues 03 to 13 Mar

09 Mar

12 to 20 Mar

15 to 20 Mar

86th International Motor Show

Brad Mehldau concert

Lucerne Festival at Easter

Badminton Swiss Open

Geneva

Zug

Lucerne

Basel

Come out for one of the largest flagship events of the automobile universe.

Listen to this jazz pianist who’s famous for his “The Art of the Trio” albums.

Listen to the world’s leading orchestras, conductors and soloists at the lakeshore.

The who’s who of badminton battles it out in this top-level tournament.

www.salon-auto.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloBMC

bit.ly/HelloLFE

www.swissopen.com

04 to 05 Mar

09 to 10 Mar

13 Mar

15 to 20 Mar

BScene Clubfestival

European Freeski Open

48th Engadin Ski Marathon

AMR Jazz Festival

Basel

Laax GR

Samedan

Geneva

Watch as 50 acts in various locations prove that Basel’s nightlife isn’t dead.

The best free skiers and a perfect snow park guarantee a top-notch spectacle.

Over 12,000 fans participate in this renowned cross-country skiing event.

Over six nights, two groups delight you with contemporary jazz music.

www.bscene.ch

bit.ly/HelloEFO

www.engadin-skimarathon.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloAMR

05 Mar

11 Mar

13 to 19 Mar

16 to 20 Mar

Cow fights in the snow

ABBA The Show

Rock the Pistes

Camellia festival

Leukerbad VS

Zurich

Portes du Soleil VS

Locarno TI

The black Valais cows fight for dominance, it’s part of their natural behavior.

The biggest ABBA tribute show in the world keeps the cult alive.

Since they can only be accessed on skis, the concerts have an exclusive feel.

Dive into the sea of over 300 camellia variations at this important flower show.

bit.ly/HelloCF

www.hallenstadion.ch

www.rockthepistes.com/en

bit.ly/HelloCFL

05 Mar

11 to 13 Mar

Snow Golf Trophy

Slow Food Market

Join this rare tournament on white greens. Perfect for all golf levels.

www.snow-golf.ch

Bern Artisanal delicacies wait for you at this “fair of good taste.”

Let's eat!

bit.ly/HelloBSF

06 Mar

11 to 19 Mar

Jaël concert

Festival International de Films

Solothurn

Fribourg

Former singer of “Lunik,” the master of melancholic pop music, is back.

For the 30th time, the FIFF brings films that aren’t shown in European cinemas

Aathal's Dinosaur Museum

www.kofmehl.net

www.fiff.ch/en

Aathal ZH

07 Mar

12 to 13 Mar

Fire Ride

Festichoc

Titlis OW

Versoix GE

Ride from the summit to the valley by torchlight during this extravagant ski event.

Yes, a chocolate festival! Get ready for sweet samplings and demonstrations.

bit.ly/HelloFRT

www.festichoc.ch

CRITICS'CHOICE

Aathal's Dinosaur Museum (Saurier Museum) is the largest museum of its kind in Switzerland. Owned and funded by a Swiss paleontologist, the museum features fossils and skeletons from its own excavations across the globe, as well as loads of other models and displays. It's not cheap to visit but you do get plenty of dino.

www.timeout.com/switzerland

Photo: © Sauriermuseum Aathal

Gstaad BE

WHAT’S ON 15

issue 1 / 2016

16 to 20 Mar

17 Mar

Audi FIS Ski World Cup finals

Russian National Orchestra

St. Moritz

Geneva

The best racers find their way to the Engadin valley to wrap up race season.

Get ready for a night of classical music in the downtown Vicotria Hall.

www.skiworldcup.stmoritz.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloRNO

16 to 20 Mar

17 Mar

Music Summit

La Nuit des Bains art event

St. Moritz

Geneva

Join Europe’s highest club music festival on the mountain and in the village.

Visitors will discover contemporary art in the streets of the Quartier des Bains.

www.musicsummit.ch

bit.ly/HelloLNB

17 Mar

17 to 24 Mar

24 to 28 Mar

Bastian Baker concert

Baselworld

Cover festival

Neuchâtel NE Watch one of Switzerland’s top musicians perform his pop hits in English.

bit.ly/HelloCAC

Basel

Davos GR

The top event for the watch and jewelry industry attracts over 100,000 visitors.

www.coverfestival.ch

www.baselworld.com

Get ready to enjoy Easter in a mountain town with renowned cover and tribute bands.

18 Mar

24 to 27 Mar

Museum Night

Electron festival

Bern

Geneva

Check out this unusual setting for both cultural and culinary treats.

Join this celebration of international electronic music and cultures.

bit.ly/HelloBMN

www.electronfestival.ch

18 to 20 Mar

26 Mar to 08 May

Salon du Vélo

Morges VD Test ride the latest bicycle trends and other forms of gentle mobility.

Photo: © Davos Klosters Bergbahnen

RECOMMENDED

Tulip festival

Morges VD Celebrate spring by checking out a variety of different tulips.

www.salon-du-velo.ch

bit.ly/HelloTF

19 to 20 Mar

27 Mar to 08 May

41st vintage car market

Interlaken Classics

Fribourg

Interlaken BE

The biggest event of its kind in Switzerland unites collectors and more than 20,000 guests.

As the slogan says, “Meet the classical music stars of tomorrow today.”

bit.ly/HelloOTM

www.interlaken-classics.ch

21 Mar

31 Mar

Designtour Langenthal

Elvis – The Musical

Langenthal

Winterthur ZH

Interested in design?

Get exciting insights into the development of products.

Pay homage to the King as he takes you on a journey through his life.

bit.ly/HelloDT

www.elvis-musical.com

16 WHAT’S ON WWW.HELLOSWITZERL AND.CH /EVENTS

APRIL 2016 31 Mar to 07 Apr 02 to 03 Apr

05 to 10 Apr

13 to 17 Apr

Expovina Primavera

Swatch XTreme

Blues festival

Exhibition of Inventions

Zurich

Verbier VS

Basel

Geneva

This modern wine fair in the trendy Zurich West district attracts all.

Join freeride skiers and snowboarders as they soar down the Bec des Rosses.

Listen to international stars and up-and-comers when they perform blues numbers.

Hundreds of inventors from around the world present their archetypes products.

www.expovina.ch

bit.ly/HelloFWT

www.bluesbasel.ch

www.inventions-geneva.ch/en

01 April

03 to 10 Apr

07 to 10 Apr

13 to 18 Apr

Klangkarussel concert

The Brits

Caprices Festival

Arvinis wine fair

Basel

Laax GR

Crans-Montana VS

Morges VD

Their „Sonnentanz“ song made the two Austrian chill-house DJs famous.

The British Snowboard and Freeski Championships welcomes everyone.

Switzerland’s favorite spring festival has featured stars like Nelly Furtado and Nas.

Share your passion for wine with over 150 producers, traders and exhibitors.

www.volkshaus-basel.ch/en

www.the-brits.com

www.caprices.ch

www.arvinis.ch

02 Apr

05 to 09 Apr

08 to 16 Apr

15 to 17 Apr

Snowpenair

Zermatt unplugged

34th jazz festival

Better living trade fair

Kleine Scheidegg BE

Zermatt

Cully VD

Saignelégier JU

Watch top acts from the foot of the stunning triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Every spring, lovers of pure music pilgrim to this famous mountain town. Will you join?

Stroll between the wine cellars and enjoy this intimate festival.

Find simple ways to feel better mentally and physical by improving your life.

www.snowpenair.ch

www.zermatt-unplugged.ch

www.cullyjazz.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloSMV

09 Apr

15 to 18 Apr

Cuban Beats All Stars concert

Creativa fair

Schaffhausen

Basel

Watch former band members of “Orishas” mix Cuban tradition with urban tunes.

Don’t miss these four days filled with creative ideas, bricolage and workshops.

www.kammgarn.ch

www.creativa-schweiz.ch

10 Apr

15 to 23 Apr

Women’s Expo Switzerland

Visions du Réel film festival

Zurich

Nyon VD

Connect with professional women and the business community to find inspiration.

See the art of documentary filmmaking at this renowned event.

www.womenexpo.ch

www.visionsdureel.ch/en

12 April

15 to 24 Apr

Rock Meets Classic

MUBA fair

Bern

Basel

Enjoy the top hits of rock music performed by five rock musicians.

From fashion to gardening to sports, the country’s second largest fair covers it all.

www.rockmeetsclassic.de

www.muba.ch

08 Apr Gondola fondue

RECOMMENDED

Zermatt Glide by the Matterhorn at sunset and enjoy a tasty cheese fondue with Valais wine. This traditional dinner is accompanied by a first course, dessert and schnapps.

bit.ly/HelloGFZ

Photo: © Zermatt Bergbahnen AG

Blues, beer and marathons

WHAT’S ON 17

issue 1 / 2016

23 to 24 April

28 to 30 Apr

35th 20km de Lausanne

Beer Days

Lausanne

Solothurn

The biggest event taking place in Lausanne welcomes runners of all ages.

Meet the brewers of dozens of craft beers and share the passion for the amber nectar.

www.20km.ch

www.solothurn-city.ch/en/event

23 Apr

28 Apr to 01 May

Sydney Dance Company

UNIcréa arts and craft fair

Neuchâtel NE

La Sarraz VD

With the show “Interplay,” the international touring group visits Switzerland.

If you’re passionate about creativity and personalization, you’ll love this fair.

Off the tourist trail, this fascinating museum is a mustsee for those seeking an alternative to the mainstream, exactly what ‘art brut’ — literally ‘raw art’ — is all about.

Since 1976, this museum has presented the collection of Jean Dubuffet, who sought to gather art from all over the world created by untrained artists on the fringes of society.

bit.ly/HelloSDC

bit.ly/HelloUNI

24 Apr

29 Apr to 08 May

Zurich Marathon

BEA / Horse fair

Zurich

Bern

Get ready to lace up your running shoes for this highspeed city tour.

Visit the largest public trade show in Switzerland with an amusement park.

Most have led difficult lives, many have had social or psychological problems, others have been in prison. All have created work that is interesting, offbeat, often highly skilled and sometimes downright unfathomable. As well as a permanent exhibition, the museum presents changing temporary displays offering its 4,000 artworks in storage a rotating chance to shine.

www.zurichmarathon.ch

www.beapferd.ch

Collection de l’Art Brut

CRITICS'CHOICE

Lausanne

Photo: © Atelier de numérisation – Ville de Lausanne

www.timeout.com/switzerland

24 Apr

30 Apr to 01 May

Lake Murten SlowUP

Say Yes wedding fair

Murten FR

Schönenwerd SO

Cycle, skate, walk or run the 32 km around the lake. All is allowed except cars!

Walking down the aisle? Find inspiration for everything from wedding gowns to invitations.

bit.ly/HelloMSU

www.sageja.ch

16 to 24 Apr

18 Apr

27 Apr to 01 May 29 to 30 Apr

International Comix-Festival

Sechseläuten folklore event

30th Book and Press Fair

Swatch Rocket Air

Lucerne

Zurich

Geneva

Thun BE

Attracting over 50,000 visitors, this comix and related media festival is a major event.

Check out costumed guild members and an exploding snowman sculpture (see p18).

Join a major meeting of the French-speaking publishing world dedicated reading.

The best freestyle bicycle riders make the town’s ice stadium the place to be.

www.fumetto.ch/en

bit.ly/HelloSL

www.salondulivre.ch/en

www.rocketair.ch

17 Apr

19 to 23 Apr

SlowUp Ticino

Patrouille des Glaciers

Locarno TI

Zermatt / Verbier VS

Walk, cycle or skate between Locarno’s main square and the castles of Bellinzona.

Get ready for this skimountaineering race that attracts thousands.

bit.ly/HelloSUT

www.pdg.ch

17 Apr

22 to 23 Apr

Dixie Chicks concert

Swiss Rally Championship

Zurich

Delémont JU

This successful US band turned its members into icons and is back in Switzerland.

Cheer on 90 teams during this annual race that starts the Swiss rally season.

www.hallenstadion.ch

www.criterium-jurassien.ch

18 WHAT'S ON

EXPLODING HEADS Will it be a hot summer? Every April locals take to the streets of Zurich and set a snowman on fire to find out. Here's more.

When the first flowers begin to bloom, the temperatures rise and the days become longer, people in Zurich celebrate their traditional spring festival — Sechseläuten or “Sächsilüüte” as it is known in local dialect. The name means “the bells at six” and dates from the 16th century. Back then, the city bell which marked the end of the working day sounded at 17:00 in winter but at 18:00 in summer. Sächsilüüte, or Six Bells Day, was the day of the changeover.

This year, the exciting cultural event will take place on Monday, 18 April. Here are the basics for those looking to participate in the festivities.

WHAT'S ON 19

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THE ORIGINS OF THE BÖÖGG The word “Böögg” is related to the word “bogeyman.” In Zurich, the Böögg resembles a snowman and symbolizes the winter. Burning the Böögg serves to drive out the winter and herald spring.

Photos: © Zürich Tourism

In the Middle Ages, young boys in Zurich’s Kratz quarter — formerly the area between the Fraumünster Cathedral and Lake Zurich — would burn a Böögg-like figure on the day of the spring equinox. At the same time the guilds would commence their “Six Bells Day” celebrations. At that time, there were several Bööggs which met their fate in various spots around the quarter. Before being burned, they were usually tied to wagons and pulled through the streets accompanied by jeering youths.

It was not until the end of the 19th century that the two customs – Sechseläuten and the burning of the Böögg – were combined. The procession of jeering youths became what is now a children's parade held on the Sunday before Sechseläuten, while the Böögg was

adopted as the main protagonist of the Sechseläuten spring festival.

THE BÖÖGG AS WEATHER FORECASTER Nowadays, it is tradition to ask the Böögg to forecast the weather for the coming summer.

During the Sechseläuten ceremony, the pyre with a Böögg on top is set alight at precisely 18:00. It is said that the faster the fire reaches the snowman and his head explodes — which is packed with firecrackers — the finer the summer will be.

ENJOYING SIX BELLS Sunday, 17 April 14:30 Children’s Parade, starting at Bürkliplatz Monday, 18 April 15:00 Sechseläuten parade, via Limmatquai 18:00 The Pyre is set alight at Sechselaütenplatz 20:00 "Unofficial" public sausage barbecue (sausages sold at stands) For more information visit

www.zuerich.com/sechselaeuten

I F YOU’RE EXPECTING A BUNDLE OF JOY, YOU NEED SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST. Every birth is different. That’s why we take a highly individualised approach at Hirslanden and provide numerous resources that are perfectly tailored to your needs. During the antenatal classes, you can familiarise yourself with our facilities and options and decide for yourself what you need. In Hirslanden’s calm surrounds, you’ll have a professional team by your side – from the moment you first arrive, until you head home with your new baby. www.hirslandenbaby.ch

EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST.

HIRSLANDEN A MEDICLINIC INTERNATIONAL COMPANY

FINANCIAL ADVICE 21

issue 1 / 2016

for privately owned and used real estate, lump sum deductions between 10%-30% of the deemed rental value are permitted instead of the actual costs. Depreciation on privately held property is not allowed.

Are you considering buying real estate in Switzerland? Whether as your main home, as a holiday home for your own use or as an investment, legal restrictions apply and tax consequences should be considered.

PwC explains.

Interest paid on private debts such as mortgages is deductible up to the amount of income earned from investments (including the deemed rental value) as declared in the tax return plus CHF 50,000.

1) PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE

Who can buy real estate in Switzerland?

For the acquisition of Swiss real estate by non-Swiss persons who do not hold a B or C residence permit (and who, as such, do not have the right to take up residence in Switzerland), an upfront permission from the cantonal authority allowing them to buy the respective property is required.

Citizens of a Member State of the European Union (EU) or of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and foreign nationals with a Swiss residence permit C are treated in the same manner as Swiss nationals, provided that Switzerland is their principal place of residence or they have a right of abode here. With regard to the purchase of second homes, further restrictions based on the socalled “law on secondary residences” apply. These differ from canton to canton and need to be taken into account when looking for a holiday home.

What taxes are due upon the purchase of real estate?

The transfer of the ownership of real estate requires public certification and registration in the land register. Respective notary and land register fees vary across the different cantons, and both parties are usually jointly and severally liable for these. In the majority of cantons, a real estate transfer tax is levied in addition — ranging from around 0.1%-3.3% depending on the canton.

2) OWNING REAL ESTATE

The concept of deemed rental value In Switzerland, homeowners are required to pay income tax on the theoretical rental value of the home they use themselves as either their primary or holiday home. This so-called “deemed rental value” (in French valeur locative / in German Eigenmietwert) is on average 70% of the potential market rent and is estimated by the tax authorities.

DEDUCTIONS REDUCE YOUR TAX BURDEN Real estate owners can deduct costs for maintenance and renovation, insurance premiums and third party administrative costs from the taxable real estate income. Further deductions for investments in connection with environmental protection, energy efficiency and heritage protection may also be possible. Alternatively,

NET WEALTH TAX AND REAL ESTATE TAX Real estate owned by a Swiss resident individual is subject to wealth tax at cantonal and communal level (along with any other asset owned). The tax value of the property is estimated by the tax authorities, and is on average 70% of the fair market value.

Real estate owned outside Switzerland is only taken into account for determining the applicable tax rate. Personal debts such as mortgages or loans can be deducted from wealth, resulting in the taxable net wealth. In addition, certain cantons levy a so-called real estate tax, which is determined based on the tax value of the property and is levied separately from net wealth tax.

3) SALE OF REAL ESTATE Whereas capital gains on privately held movable assets are tax free in Switzerland, capital gains realized from the disposal of privately held Swiss real estate are subject to real estate capital gains tax levied at cantonal level. Tax rates largely depend on the holding period and the amount of the gain. Typically, disposal within a short period is taxed prohibitively high in order to avoid real estate speculation, whereas the tax rates are reduced if the real estate has been held for at least five years. Capital gains tax on real estate will generally be deferred if a primary home is sold and the proceeds of the sale are re-invested in another home within two years. Special rules apply to inheritance, gifting and change of ownership due to divorce.

4) TAX PL ANNING OPPORTUNITIES Ownership of real estate allows for tax planning opportunities.

Since interest payments for mortgages are deductible, you can reduce your tax burden by choosing the right mix between mortgage coverage and your own funds (this concept extends to real estate held outside of Switzerland). The right timing of renovation work or the sale of real estate can lead to substantial tax savings. Finally, if you own multiple properties including buildings which are rented out, it might be more tax efficient to hold real estate not personally used by you indirectly through a real estate company.

For more information, simply get in touch:

Simone Heinrich Tax & Legal Services 058 792 42 65 simone.heinrich@ch.pwc.com

www.pwc.ch

FEATURED PARTNER: TAX CONSULTING

TAXATION OF SWISS REAL ESTATE

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FINANCIAL ADVICE 23

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Switzerland's pension system is based on three pillars. The third pillar offers the most options for configuring your own pension provision. It can be used to cover pension gaps as well as to save on taxes. Foreigners who are employed in Switzerland can also benefit from this state-sponsored pension solution. Credit Suisse explains.

Everyone should start planning their own pension as early as possible. The sooner you start setting money aside for your golden years, the more options you have for a future free from financial worries. No one should put off saving for retirement.

The word "tied" in the Pillar 3a pension solution means that the capital saved up is intended to finance retirement, and is thus tied to a purpose. This means that as someone who is saving for retirement, you are rewarded with various privileges, such as higher interest rates on the capital saved as well as tax benefits.

The Swiss pension system is built on three pillars: the state pension (first pillar), employee benefits insurance (second pillar), and private pensions (third pillar). This three-pillar approach is rooted in the Federal Constitution itself, and is aimed at ensuring comprehensive financial coverage in the event of death, disability, and old age.

The optional Pillar 3b has no statutory restrictions on withdrawing funds, and you receive no special privileges either, except under certain life insurance policies. This means that you always have unrestricted access to the capital set aside under Pillar 3b despite being unable to claim any tax benefits.

Of particular interest is the private pension provision, referred to as the third pillar, which is further divided into Pillar 3a (tied pension provision) and Pillar 3b (flexible pension provision).

Learn how you can benefit from smart pension savings and take the opportunity to get personal advice from a Credit Suisse expert by reading the full article online at www.helloswitzerland.ch/banking

SWITZERL AND'S THREE-PILL AR APPROACH First pillar: state pension This pillar consists of Federal Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (known in German and French as AHV/AVS) and Federal Disability Insurance (IV/AI), as well as any supplementary benefits. The idea here is to maintain a basic standard of living.

Federal Act on Vesting in Pension Plans. Contributions are regularly paid into the pension fund by the employee and employer.

Second pillar: employee benefits insurance The second pillar is primarily regulated by the Federal Act on Occupational Retirement, Survivors' and Disability Pension Plans (known in German and French as BVG/LPP) and the

Third pillar: private pension provision The optional third pillar can be used to cover individual gaps in your pension and meet your own personal goals. This allows you to optimally ensure your current standard of living.

Employee benefits insurance allows the existing standard of living to be maintained. Together, the first and second pillars are intended to provide up to 60 percent of an employee's former salary.

Watch a short video on the Swiss pension system online at credit-suisse.com/pensions Legal Notice: The reader acknowledges that the information provided in this publication is only intended for distribution and use by persons who are residents of Switzerland. No guarantee is made regarding reliability or completeness of this document, nor will any liability be accepted for losses that may arise from its use. Copyright © 2015 Credit Suisse Group AG and/or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.

FEATURED PARTNER: BANKING SERVICES

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SWITZERLAND'S SOPHISTICATED PENSION SYSTEM

FEATURED PARTNER: INSURANCE

24 FINANCIAL ADVICE

THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND What types of insurance are mandatory in Switzerland? Which other policies are not mandatory but are essential for comprehensive insurance cover?

Helvetia shows you how to enjoy a carefree start to life in Switzerland.

Winter is a time for outdoor sports and a great opportunity to go sledging with your family in your new country. But all it takes is one careless move, and the sledge goes out of control, crashes into a car parked at the side of the road and causes a dent or — in the worst case scenario — even injures a passer-by. Luckily you can take out private liability insurance, which usually covers the costs of any damage incurred.

To ensure that expats are well insured from the outset, Helvetia offers a Welcome Package for the first 90 days which combines private liability insurance with basic legal protection and household contents insurance. The insurance it includes is not mandatory in Switzerland. But as this and other examples show, it is useful and makes sense in order to avoid painful financial losses in the event of a claim. Private liability insurance covers claims arising from damage incurred by third parties. Household contents insurance covers damage to your own property such as damage caused by fire, water or theft. The additional insurance for petty theft off-premises covers items such as sledges or skis placed outside a mountain restaurant.

Photo: © Helvetia

HEALTH INSURANCE, ACCIDENT INSURANCE AND SOCIAL INSURANCE ARE MANDATORY In addition to these voluntary but highly recommended types of insurance there are also some that are binding in Switzerland. These include mandatory health insurance (basic insurance) and, for employees, the 1st and 2nd pillars of the state and occupational pension schemes. For employees who work more than eight hours a week, accident insurance is automatically covered by the employer. Otherwise, accident insurance must be taken out via your health insurance scheme. For car owners, motor vehicle liability insurance is also mandatory. In addition, home owners are obliged in most cantons to insure the building against natural hazards.

The immigration experts at Helvetia will be pleased to advise you and to tailor the insurance options that extend beyond mandatory requirements to meet your personal needs.

MANDATORY INSURANCE PERSONS IN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT 9 Health insurance (without accident cover) 9 Motor vehicle liability insurance 9 Building insurance (in most cantons) ADDITIONALLY FOR PERSONS NOT IN GAINFUL EMPLOYEMENT 9 Health insurance with accident cover

ESSENTIAL INSURANCE FOR COMPREHENSIVE COVER PERSONS IN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT 9 Private liability insurance 9 Household contents insurance with accurately valued sum insured (no under-insurance) 9 Earning disability insurance 9 Death benefits insurance 9 Assistance (travel insurance) 9 Legal protection insurance ADDITIONALLY FOR PERSONS NOT IN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT 9 Death benefits insurance and earning disability insurance

Find additional information at:

www.helvetia.ch/helloswitzerland

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ARE YOU RELOCATING TO SWITZERLAND? CALL +41 58 356 14 14 Speak to your personal advisor to receive free relocation guidance on all Swiss cities.

ÂŤ The approachable and

professional staff at Packimpex provided us with ongoing support throughout our entire relocation process.

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Alexandre Areias & family ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Market Access and Pricing

Design your own relocation package Visit www.packimpex.ch/myrelocation where you can tailor your own relocation package to suit your specific requirements. Before you purchase anything, you are entitled to a free web-based orientation tour of any town or city in Switzerland including a telephone consultation with a relocation specialist. Next, using our modular approach, you can purchase as much or as little as you want to ensure you have a positive relocation experience.

Email us today to learn more at myrelocation@packimpex.ch

GLOBAL MOBILIT Y 27

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Today companies in Switzerland are faced with a number of challenging economic factors including the strength of the Swiss franc and the internal scrutiny of budgets for relocation services. As a result, many of our customers are considering alternative solutions such as increasing the number of short-term assignments, lump-sum packages or simply reducing the existing support packages.

There is also a new trend emerging in our industry where employees will be asked to take a more proactive approach to their individual relocation.

The relocation provider will remain the expert in the local market and will share their know-how accordingly but the employee will assume more responsibility during the process.

The result will be lighter relocation packages with cost saving passed on to the corporate client.

To meet the demands of this emerging trend, Packimpex has launched a new relocation package that allows incoming employees to manage the process at no additional cost to their employer.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Every employee is entitled to a free structured consultancy call with a relocation professional.

99 Outsource the relocation headache with no cost to the company 99 Potential to create cost savings by lightening or removing relocation support packages 99 Services are proposed in a modular format so the employee can buy as much or as little as he or she wishes 99 Fewer relocation questions for HR to answer 99 Ensures compliancy with local Swiss laws for all new hires 99 Allows employees to focus on their work and spend less time researching details about relocating to Switzerland 99 Staff are settled quicker into their new environment

During the call the employee will be guided through each step of the relocation timeline and introduced to the relevant partners who will assist them during their relocation to Switzerland.

99 Free one-hour relocation planning and consultancy call 99 Remote orientation tour of their new host city 99 Insight into the Swiss housing market including prices and availability figures 99 Instructions about compliancy with Swiss regulations and laws 99 Access to a pool of trusted relocation partners selected on the basis of quality and value for money 99 Access to free information and relocation guides 99 Mobile application featuring over 8,000 quality-checked directory entries relevant to expats 99 Events and networking opportunities 99 Ongoing access to our Swiss Relocation Helpline

Check out our new range of services today at www.packimpex.ch/myrelocation

Packimpex Ltd. Kate Davey Director Sales & Marketing +41 58 356 15 22 kate.davey@packimpex.ch

FEATURED PARTNER: RELOCATION

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HOME ENTERTAINMENT 29

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Enhancing customer service to meet your needs Two new trends are greatly altering the habits of telecommunications consumers. The everincreasing digitalization vision has meant more consumers are insisting on self-service and personalized consulting is rarely needed anymore.

Furthermore there is a fundamental change in how TV consumers behave. Sunrise tells us more.

While today's consumer usually gets their information online and then later signs the contract offline, their behavior in the future will involve purchasing more online, as well as self-service. In-person customer service will be increasingly focused on the retail shops, the customer contact point for both interactive experience and in-depth advice. This trend, of course, will also affect the telecommunications company Sunrise, which has prepared for these major changes by fundamentally redesigning its digital interactions with customers to better meet their future needs.

TV BECOMES MOBILE...

How consumers watch and use TV has also changed quickly. TV consumers are constantly on the go and don't want to be held to the fixed times of network broadcasters.

With the new, smart offer from Sunrise TV, you can watch TV where you want, when you want, making television more attractive and interactive.

Sunrise is continuing to expand the range of its television packages. Now the whole family can watch different programs simultaneously – both at home and on the go.

With Sunrise Smart TV, programs can be watched on the TV and with the Sunrise TV app can be also viewed on up to five smartphones or tablets. Sunrise TV also gives you access to all ComeBack TV content and any saved recordings from abroad on a Wi-Fi network.

...AND RAZOR-SHARP Television will also be sharper in the future, with content streamed in ultra-high-resolution, 4K – four times the resolution of normal HDTV. Sunrise, Swiss TV's innovation leader, is launching the next generation of set top boxes

to make 4K UHD programs and their razor-sharp images come to life on your TV screen. The box will now be controlled via Bluetooth remote control, which no longer needs to be aimed directly at the box, but can be conveniently pointed anywhere in the room.

For everything you need to know about what's going on in communications, as well as service related issues, film reviews and digital trends, visit www.sunrise.ch/spotlight

NUMBER IN ONE IN MOBILE TELEPHONY For the second time in a row, Sunrise was chosen as Switzerland's leading network for mobile telephony.

The telecommunications company not only outperformed all networks in independent industry magazine Connect's most important categories, it performed better than all providers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined.

In the independent telecom journal’s latest test, Sunrise received a provider ranking of "Very Good", placing second in the overall ranking table.

Elmar Grasser, Sunrise Chief Operating Officer, had a few words to say about the result: "This is clear confirmation that we took all the right steps when modernizing and optimizing our network.

With the best network in the industry and our top-notch customer service, our customers are provided with the best all-round customer experience."

www.sunrise.ch

FEATURED PARTNER: TV, TELECOM & INTERNET

TELEVISION IS GETTING EVEN BETTER

issue 1 / 2016

DISCOVER SWITZERL AND 31

MÜRREN — THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Photo: © Allmendhubel /Schilthornbahn AG

Looking for a piece of Heidi heaven this spring? Marina Moeller heads to the Bernese Oberland to explore Mürren’s outdoor paradise complete with spas, hiking trails and zip lines.

32 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND

Stepping out of the cable car and taking my first look around, I forget to breathe. My mind gets crammed with emotions and superlatives, my wonder doesn’t simply wear off after spending a few hours here. The views of the surrounding glaciers, waterfalls and the majestic mountain trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are otherworldly. It feels like you can reach out and touch those celestial peaks.

Mürren’s main street is fairytale Switzerland with traditional wooden chalets, bucolic hotels and charming restaurants. In winter, it’s a magical snow kingdom where guests can ski up to the front door of their hotel or guest house. In spring and summer, multicolored geraniums are cascading from each window while exquisitely arranged gardens are teeming with gorgeous flowers.

BOND WORLD 007 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed here.

During the film, villains were chasing Bond down the local slopes, while their headquarters were based at Piz Gloria (2970 m) — the revolving restaurant atop Schilthorn Mountain. From Mürren you can reach Piz Gloria by gondola in 20 minutes, and enjoy a 360-degree meal while admiring over 40 glaciers and 200 mountains from Titlis to Mount Blanc. The Bond World 007 exhibition at the summit includes memorabilia, film clips and a helicopter simulator.

Photos: (top) © Schilthornbahn AG; (bottom) © Via Ferrata/Verein Klettersteig Mürren

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Switzerland is the Jungfrau summit in the Bernese Oberland. Two million people a year visit Jungfraujoch (3454 m), Europe’s highest train station. However, few know that the best view of the Jungfrau is actually from across the Lauterbrunnen Valley, from spellbinding Mürren. This romantic, car-free village with just over 400 residents is perched on the edge of a 800 m cliff and is only accessible by a cable car or a mountain train.

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EPIC RACES Mürren offers 53 km of ski and snowboard runs for all ability levels, a ski school and an iceskating rink. Every January, the village hosts the largest and longest amateur downhill ski race in the world — the International Inferno Downhill Ski Race. The four-day skiing event is open to everyone, and includes cross-country, giant slalom and downhill races. If you missed the main winter event, there is still the Inferno Triathlon — a swim/bike/run competition — coming up in August. With a total 5500 m ascent, it’s one of the toughest and most scenic triathlons in the world.

Dare to sign up?

“The views of the surrounding glaciers, waterfalls and the majestic mountain trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau are otherworldly. It feels like you can reach out and touch those celestial peaks.”

HIKER’S PARADISE

Photos: (top) © Schilthorn Cableway/Schilthornbahn AG; (bottom) © Mürren/Schilthornbahn AG

The A llmendhubel funicular takes us above Mürren to a panoramic restaurant, a well-equipped children’s playground and numerous hiking trails with an unparalleled backdrop of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The wellmaintained and marked hiking paths cater to all ability levels and are perfect for overnight trips to nearby huts, easy walks surrounded by bell-ringing cows, day hikes through wildflower meadows and waterfalls, and the one-hour, children-friendly Adventure Trail. And believe me, after spending the whole day in this epic landscape, the beauty and power of the transcendent mountains will make even the pickiest visitor feel increasingly poetic.

FLOWER LOVERS IDYLL The Flower Trail is a joy for any nature enthusiast.

It is comprised of hundreds of different flowering plants including several varieties of Edelweiss — the queen of Alpine flora. Edelweiss is often regarded as a symbol of Switzerland, so admiring those supreme flowers in the Jungfrau setting is silverscreen perfect.

CLIFFHANGERS AND MORE Mürren’s vertigo inducing 2.2 km via ferrata — a protected climbing route, with a long suspension bridge and a zip-line — is not for the faint hearted.

All the necessary climbing gear can be rented locally, while tours with a mountain guide are available for alpinists in training. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, the village boasts a sports center and alpine spa facilities with two indoor swimming pools, sauna, massage deals, gym and tennis courts.

You won’t find a better combination of panoramic alpine scenery, glorious nature and sport activities than in this enchanting village. No matter how long you stay, you can’t get tired of the dreamlike views.

This place is Heidi’s heaven.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Mürren is a three hour trip from Basel, Zurich and Lausanne by public transport, and is perfect for a long weekend or a one day visit.

34 HEALTH & WELLNESS

GETTING SHANTI Interested in learning more about yoga? Looking for a class in English? Yoga teacher and writer Danielle Satya Parla discusses the benefits of a yoga practice and where you can practice your downward dog in cities across Switzerland.

Yoga classes these days scarcely resemble the somewhat hippy vibe I encountered in my first class 22 years ago in New Zealand. What was once considered an esoteric practice from India has exploded in popularity from New York to New Delhi, and the practice is more accessible and mainstream than ever. Switzerland is no exception, and yoga studios can be found in all the major centres and many small towns in between.

CALLING ALL MEN While women may be the most devoted of practitioners, men also stand to gain great benefits from a standalone yoga practice. Some of the benefits include stress relief, increased flexibility, improved digestion, brain function and mind-body awareness, strengthening and lengthening of muscles, and boosted immunity.

Plus, a yoga practice can improve your performance in other sports. For proof just look at the New York Giants or the 2015 Rugby World Cup champions, the New Zealand All-Blacks.

Not to mention men that do yoga are just plain sexy.

FINDING THE RIGHT PRACTICE It is easy to get confused about the various yoga traditions, however I recommend finding a teacher, studio and style that you enjoy. Then just show up to your practice. Remember that yoga isn’t about putting your nose to your knees — it’s about coming home to yourself, having fun and learning along the way.

During my four years in Switzerland I have been fortunate to teach yoga in both Zurich and Basel, and connect with many wonderful teachers across the country who are expats, teach only in English or a mix of English and the local dialect.

To support you in your practice I am sharing a selection of small and large studios in Switzerland in the hopes that you find great health, inspiration and a community with these teachers and studios.

Photos:©©Kichigin_S/Dollard Photo: Dollar Club/Olaf Speier Photo Club

Even if you have not given yoga a try, I truly feel that the practice offers expats living in Switzerland a wonderful bridge into their local community and the ability to connect with locals and other expats.

Moreover, yoga is a wonderful way to keep yourself well, relaxed and healthy as you adjust to a new culture, traditions, language and your own routine in Switzerland. There is no perfect time to start a yoga practice (except now), but as we cast our sights to the spring we are naturally called to move and try new things.

HEALTH RUBRIKTITEL & WELLNESS 35

issue 3 / 2015

YOGA TEACHERS AND STUDIOS Basel Space to Breathe is an intimate and friendly studio that was created with the aim of supporting you to live well and feel great. Regardless of your previous yoga experience, enjoy Hatha, Yin and Kundalini yoga, as well as Yoga Nidra + Shakti Meditation classes and workshops exclusively in English.

For more information visit spacetobreathe.ch Bern In the heart of Bern’s old town, Yoga Market has a number of classes that are taught solely in English including the popular Vinyasa classes of Australian Amber Spear.

For more information visit yogamarket.ch Geneva In addition to Vinyasa Flow classes, Inner City Yoga offers a variety of Hatha yoga classes (gentle, basics and deep) to meet specific needs, as well as Pre-Natal yoga and Yoga + Meditation. Since 2002, they have prided themselves in catering all yoga classes to both English- and French-speaking yogis.

For more information visit innercityoga.com Lausanne Established in 2003 by Marielle and Duncan Fraser, YogaWorks is open seven days a week, all yearlong and offers Hatha, Vinyasa Flow and Ashtanga classes (including Mysore for those who want to grow their self-practice under the guidance of an Ashtanga teacher).

Luzern Located in a beautiful space in Kasernenplatz near Lucerne’s old town, Living Yoga offers Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, Ashtanga (+ Mysore) and yoga philosophy classes — all in English.

For more information visit www.livingyoga.ch Montreux Since 2004, Studio 88 owner Julie Aigroz-LeWine has been teaching yoga and Pilates to her halfEnglish — half-French speaking students in an efficient and sometimes amusing dialect she calls “Franglais.”

For more information visit studio88yoga.ch Zurich area Offering Restorative Yoga and various Vinyasa Flow classes, Yoga Lives was created in 2008 as a way to help others find a healthy lifestyle.

For more information visit www.yogalives.ch Just down the lake in Meilen, Yoga Elements has two teachers who only teach in English, while other teachers are able to switch their class to English when an English-speaking student joins. In addition to Hatha and Vinyasa classes, Yoga Elements offers Anusara yoga.

For more information visit yoga-elements.ch Retreat If you are looking for a yoga retreat within Switzerland, consider Imagine Academy’s four-day retreat in the beautiful Schloss Glarisegg Steckborn (Lake of Constance), 7-10 July 2016.

For more information visit yogaworks-lausanne.ch Lugano Located in the heart of Lugano, the majority of classes at Yoga Roof are in Italian, but they do have select Hatha, Restorative and Vinyasa classes in English, with several classes offering the possibility of English translation.

Led by Master Kundalini Teacher Hargobind Singh and other fantastic teachers, the retreat offers intense practice and meditation, delicious vegetarian meals and live music to give you a full Kundalini yoga experience. So grab a mat and get ready!

For more information visit imagineacademy.eu or email For more information visit yogaroof.com

zurich@imagineacademy.eu

36 HEALTH & WELLNESS

A HOME PRACTICE If you are new to yoga, I recommend taking classes with an experienced teacher as you learn. In time, your home practice and other learning tools are wonderful supplements to your studio classes.

In light of yoga’s ability to bridge and balance your life as an expat, the following breath practice and posture are simple, safe and nourishing.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Anuloma Viloma) to quiet and calm the entire nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve self-awareness.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) Lying on your back, bend your knees placing your feet close to your buttocks and hip width apart.

Keep your feet firm on the ground, knees parallel and arms alongside the body with palms flat on the floor. Inhale as you lengthen through the tailbone as the hips and vertebra slowly rise. With the hips up, you may be able to walk the shoulders under the body and clasp the hands together as they rest on the floor. Feel the activation as the upper chest lifts and draw towards your chin.

Keeping the hips up, continue to breathe for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then release the clasped hands and roll the spine slowly back down to the mat.

Repeat and enjoy the opening of the chest and breath.

Tips: Push the feet down evenly with an emphasis on the inner edge of the feet to prevent knees from splaying out, and to feel more activation and lift. Do not turn the head to the side while up in the bridge position.

Photos: © Danielle Satya Parla; (background) © Kichigin_S/Dollard Photo Club

Sit in a seated position with your eyes closed.

Focus on the space between your eyebrows.

Resting the left hand palm up on your knee, connect the tip of the thumb and index finger of your left hand to make a circle (gyan mudra) and extend the other three fingers. The first two fingers of the right hand are bent to the palm and the thumb is used to close the right nostril as you inhale through the left nostril for a count of five. Close the left nostril with the joined ring and little finger so both nostrils are momentarily sealed. Then release the right thumb and exhale out the right nostril for a count of five. Repeat by inhaling through the same (right) nostril for five, and out the left nostril for five. This is one full set. Continue breathing in a steady and relaxed manner for another 8-10 sets. Finish by relaxing the right hand on the knee and breathing naturally with awareness of the flow through the nostrils and the quietness in your mind.

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38 EDUCATION

EXPLORING SWITZERLAND’S PRIVATE AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Private and international schools can offer continuity, familiar language and culture for international students in Switzerland. Josephine Topping-Atkinson discusses your choices and provides some tips for selecting the perfect school for your family.

With concerns for global mobility in mind, many parents consider international schools for their children. Others simply desire to foster a global perspective in their children from an early age.

Bilingual education studies show it to be beneficial in increasing mental flexibility for better overall academic attainment.

Additionally, factors such as your intended length of stay, your children's age, the programs on offer, and your place of residence and employment, are key when choosing a school in Switzerland.

Keep in mind that demand may be high in certain areas and places limited.

FACTORS FOR CHOOSING PRIVATE AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Short-term assignments in Switzerland Students who are in Switzerland for a short time (one year or less) may require continuity with their home country curriculum. Or it may be better for them to be instructed in their mother tongue for easier reintegration at home or at their next destination. International schools help to provide continuity through multiple moves.

Attending higher education abroad Depending on your child's higher education goals, studying at an international school may better prepare them for university study in another language or back in your home country.

Benefits of bilingual development Integrating multilevel thinking from an early age is proven to help children excel. However, not all international schools offer bilingual education (as in the main curriculum is taught in both languages, rather than treated as a foreign language).

Multicultural environment Children will develop an understanding of a global world through friendships and learning with international classmates. This includes exchanges with other international schools, mock UN debates, sports and arts.

THE THREE T YPES OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 1. International curriculum An international curriculum, such as International Baccalaureate (IB) or International Primary and Middle School Curriculum (IPC, IMYC), is specifically designed to capitalize on global awareness and development. It uses “units of inquiry,” or themes, to bridge different disciplines from the same basic topic. There is an emphasis on the learning process rather than on factual

Photo: © Fotofreundin /Dollar Photo Club

Switzerland is a small country with strong international connections through business and international organizations. Its tradition of excellence in schooling has given Switzerland a large selection of internationally recognized schools including private, day and boarding schools, as well as international schools.

EDUCATION 39

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repetition. These schools are often strong in creative programs. The international approach emphasizes individual progression so students work to their ability, which accommodates student differences with flexibility and tries to keep students within their age group.

2. National curriculum The national curriculum structure is modeled after your home country. It could help to ease the process of transferring back to your home country, whether it is after a short or long stay in Switzerland. Insistence on language of instruction proficiency, or a mother tongue connection to the language in the family, will often distinguish national curriculum schools.

Nevertheless, the experience will be adapted to accommodate the multiple nationalities in the student body.

Schools with a national curriculum are often more open to the local culture, introducing daily instruction in the local language in parallel to the home country program. Students in these programs, therefore, take on extra academic loads in addition to their core program at home.

This helps them bridge to the local environment.

National curriculum availability varies depending on location, but it exists in English (UK), French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian and Swedish, with mother tongue support offered in additional languages through the help of their embassies.

Multiple online resources offer information about English National Curriculum, Cambridge program, IGCSE and A levels.

Photo: © Robert Kneschke /Dollar Photo Club

Note: Although the French National curriculum is taught in one of Switzerland's local languages, it is not taught in the same way. Just as the American and British programs differ, so does the French.

3. Bilingual education Studies show that learning subject matters in different languages helps to develop increased brain pathways for more flexible learning capacity. This is increasing the interest in fully bilingual education for primary school and beyond. Multiple language instruction is available in selected schools around Switzerland from Montessori to mainstream schools. A bilingual approach to learning requires some initial dedication to establish the basics of new language acquisition, so allow time for integration.

In Switzerland, bilingual programs also exist

between French and German with English as the third language, so it is important to research your situation in detail.

Note: Each international school in Switzerland will of fer a specific program and the choice is too exhaustive to list.

W h e n yo u i de n t i f y schools of interest that correspond with your needs, organize a visit to get more information.

BENEFITS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLING Full day schedule The curriculum in international schools is designed for full day attendance, including lunch and recreational breaks. This differs from Swiss local schools which usually require students to return home during the lunch break. When available, after school care is optional at an extra cost.

Value given to differences Among the student body of international schools, multiple languages at home and different cultural backgrounds are standard. This becomes a positive educational tool in the international curriculum, as your differences become your strengths.

Community and communication A strong point of international education is the robust network of parent/teacher/school associations. The whole family finds opportunities to connect with others and participate in an extended social experience linked with the school.

Teachers are also more responsive to parent requests for student progress and parent participation in school events.

Personalized education Private education gives strong attention to the individual student's needs and interests. Integration of non-mother-tongue students is accepted and forms part of the cultural and educational philosophy of the school. Individual learning needs are also accommodated in a creative environment.

Note: If you have a child with learning difficulties, or a gifted child, be sure to request more information from your preferred schools as not all schools can accommodate special needs equally.

40 EDUCATION

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SCHOOL School location If the chosen international school is not local, transportation is required. Students travel to school each day from all different areas, by private car or by school bus. Therefore, after school play with friends often requires organization and transport, as does after school extracurricular activities and rehearsals.

The price will vary depending on the school facilities available and whether or not the school is a non-profit or an affiliate of other organizations.

Registration and capital development fees can be significant.

Recurrent costs There are also costs that are not included in basic international school fees. These can include meals, lunch time supervision, after school activities, after school supervision, school trips (mandator y and optional field trips, and humanitarian field projects), school sports competitions or festivals abroad, books, uniforms, and school transport. If you work full time, some of these may be essential extras so make sure to take these expenses into account.

Final word Choosing the right school is like choosing a flavor of ice cream. No one ice cream flavor is better than another but most people have a favorite that they will defend adamantly as “the best.” The international school that is right for you and your child will depend on your personal preferences and goals. Luckily, the overall quality of these schools is very high, so be encouraged, not intimidated. The right school for you is not necessarily the school your colleague loves, you just prefer different flavors. Make your own judgments about schools by visiting them and considering the special needs of your family. No one else can make the decision better than you.

Separation from local community Living in the “international school world,” can isolate you from the local culture, community and activities.

International schools encourage their students to participate in extracurricular activities like sports and music in their local communities so they get more exposure to the local language and customs, and build new friendships.

Cost Private schools are fee paying, varying in price from approximately CHF 15,000 to CHF 30,000 per year.

MORE ABOUT EDUCATION Visit Hello Switzerland's education knowledge base for extensive information on private and local schooling

www.helloswitzerland.ch/education

Photo: © Kzenon/Dollar Photo Club

Changing classmates International mobility brings an element of change to the classroom, as parents' careers move families to new destinations. A core student body of longterm, international school students does exist, but you must expect some change, even if you stay in one place.

The right school is out there. It will balance between your child's personality, interests, and specific learning needs, your family history, your family goals for the future and your financial situation. Like a puzzle, you need to identify the pieces and put your picture together. Having the pieces in the right places will make your experience in Switzerland, and your child's future, even more spectacular.

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INTEGRATION THROUGH EDUCATION: BILINGUAL TEACHING AT SIS SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Bilingual education at SIS Swiss International School prepares our students for life in a globalised world while helping them grow fresh roots and make new friends in the local community.

PROVIDED BY SIS SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION – LOCAL INSIGHT

OH, THE PL ACES THEY WILL GO

Education in Switzerland is of a very high standard, and there are a considerable number of independent international schools that cater to the needs of the growing expat community by offering a well-rounded education in English.

At SIS Swiss International School, we share the belief that an international education has become an invaluable asset in today’s fast-moving and interconnected society; this is why roughly 50 percent of the lessons and daily interactions at our eight SIS schools in Switzerland are conducted in English. However, unlike many other international schools, SIS places equal emphasis on teaching and learning in the local language. By offering consistent bilingual classroom instruction in German and English from kindergarten through to college, we help your children make the most of the unique opportunity that living in a foreign country can afford. This includes learning a new language while immersed in an environment where it is actually spoken, and gaining indepth knowledge of local customs, events and practices.

Languages are often likened to a key to other cultures, opening doors to new concepts and different ways of thinking and living. At SIS, we cherish the diversity of our multinational school community, made up of approximately half local and half international students and staff. Thanks to our day school structure, we not only teach and learn together in class, but the sharing of meals and other activities provide an important platform for the exchange of our views and opinions on all aspects of life. This supports students in developing their critical thinking skills and, ultimately, their own identity, and it teaches us all to encounter other people with openness and respect.

Furthermore, our carefully developed bilingual curricula prepare students for both nationally and internationally recognised qualifications such as the bilingual Swiss Matura or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB).

Having received high-quality teaching by native speakers of German and English, SIS students are well prepared to continue their studies in Switzerland or abroad. Upon graduation, they have gained a strong sense of who they are, and they are equipped with a set of values that will guide them through life successfully no matter which corner of the world their journey may take them to.

AT HOME IN TWO WORLDS Relocating to Switzerland is an exciting yet at times challenging adventure for both parents and children. You leave your friends, familiar places and routines behind, and try to find your way in a foreign setting where a lot of things are different and public announcements may be made in four different languages, but unfortunately not in the language you speak at home. The absence of a familiar language in everyday life is one of the greatest challenges expat families face after their move. Many new arrivals to Switzerland try to soften the blow by sending their child to an international school where they meet other people of a similar linguistic or cultural background. While this is understandable, it means missing out on the great opportunity of enabling your child to enjoy an education where German and English play equal roles, both as languages of instruction and in day-to-day school life. This not only gives them the ability to express themselves confidently and naturally in both languages, but it also makes them feel at home in a new world without cutting ties with the old one.

Dr. Ursula Gehbauer Tichler is the CEO of SIS Swiss International School in Switzerland. SIS operates 15 bilingual, private day schools in Switzerland, Germany and Brazil with more than 2,900 students attending classes from kindergarten through to college.

Dr. Ursula Gehbauer Tichler CEO info@swissinternationalschool.ch

www.swissinternationalschool.ch

42 EDUCATION

TIPS FOR HELPING CHILDREN SETTLE IN

Did you move to Switzerland with young children? If so, you have likely encountered challenges along the way. To help with these bumps and your journey toward settling in, Marina Moeller chats with parenting educator and family coach Tammy Furey.

I had moved five countries and happily welcomed the challenges of new traditions, languages and ways of life…until I had kids.

Afterwards, each of my three international moves with children in tow felt like climbing Mount Everest. Together with a Swissbased, British-born parenting educator and family coach Tammy Furey, we discuss the best ways to navigate the twists and turns of relocation with children, and how to enjoy the view in the process.

Tammy, you advise a lot of expat parents in Switzerland and abroad.

What are the most common issues families come to you with?

Many expat families experience dislocation on personal, family and community levels. On a personal level, many expat mothers find themselves thrown into the identity of house wife (or stayat-home-mom). This disrupts their sense of identity, worth and purpose in their new world. On a family level, many experience a sudden change as their wider family and friends’ support network disappears in the move. The insecurity, loneness, lack of direction and dissatisfaction can result in an increasing strain on the family.

What do you usually recommend in those cases?

We need to give ourselves time to become more comfortable with change and transition. The unhappiness often results from our resistance to the current situation and spills into our perception of every small detail of our surroundings and our day. The only way to be happy is to focus on what we have now, rather than thinking about the past. Know that your thinking, not Switzerland, is making you unhappy.

On a community level, there are many positive opportunities for friendship and support. The expat communities in Switzerland are used to, and enjoy, welcoming new families and showing them how things work and how to settle in this new land.

What are some typical mistakes parents make right after the move?

Firstly, some underestimate the importance of their child’s bedroom. It’s crucial to create a safe and secure place for a child as soon as possible. Next, not identifying and bringing along key toys, games and books that can facilitate establishing that protected, familiar environment your child needs from the start.

Another common mistake is not being prepared for a change of behavior in your child. Unfortunately, you can’t predict that change. It might include anything — slight behavioral regressions, increasing tensions, complete withdrawal or none of the above.

Often your child behaves clingier because you, as a parent, become home. Be there, attention-wise, as much as you can for them.

Could you share any recurring complaints about children you hear from newcomers?

Children of any age can display challenging behaviors as they process their emotions regarding the relocation, which might appear very disturbing to parents. Younger children, trying to

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learn two languages, can become frustrated and try to communicate by biting, hitting, kicking and screaming.

support network. Here too, a huge range of diverse cultures and languages can be experienced.

What are the solutions?

How do we prepare our kids for local public schools?

Understanding that the problem is not behavioral, it is a form of communication based on your child’s thinking at the time.

The best support that can be given to a child of any age is to deeply listen and allow any emotions to be expressed. The child is often simply communicating how he or she feels. Parents need to know that the behavior will usually pass as the child adapts, just hang in there.

I really think it is more about preparing the parents. The Swiss system can be very different to how British and American parents perceive early childhood education. Children are introduced to reading, writing and arithmetic much later here. Many British and American parents are not familiar with the system, and might become concerned about the educational development of their child. The secret to success is working out how the teacher expects your child to behave and what standards of work are expected.

This can vary greatly between teachers, schools and regions.

So we have to be prepared for those temporary changes. How long, on average, can parents expect it to take their kids to adjust?

Be prepared for anything. In my experience, it ranges from almost immediate integration to a two-year sulk.

How can expat parents help their children adjust to a new country when it’s new and foreign for them as well?

For a child, the parents will always be home. Therefore, focusing on a loving connection between a parent and a child is vital to help the child integrate. Children need to know that when they return home after school, they are in a safe, supportive, understanding and loving environment. A resilient family can be happy anywhere. When we help our children understand that they are safe and loved, no matter what, it allows them to carry happiness inside of them in any school or country.

What is the easiest age for kids to adjust? And what is the most difficult one?

Usually four- and five-year-olds and under adjust the fastest but you do get more tensions and possible tantrums. This tension, however, is short-lived. I have found, within my practice, that children who move after the ages of nine to 10 have more trouble adapting. They have already developed important friendships and support networks back home that they have had to leave. Also brain changes mean that their ability speak a new language like a native is lessening. But primarily we return to resilience. The older the children are, the more their values and beliefs have developed which determine how they see the world. They have some fixed ideas and expectations on how things should be that can be deeply challenged by new cultures.

It can be wonderful to challenge these beliefs but it is not always a smooth ride.

Most families with short-term assignments in Switzerland opt for international schools. Those staying long term, say five years or more, do have a choice. What would you recommend?

Families staying long term may want to consider the benefits of fully learning the local languages and experiencing the local culture.The potential for your child to become bilingual has numerous psychological and neurological benefits. Experiencing cultures can help your child speak to and relate to a wide range of people, feel comfortable in diverse social situations and adapt to changes faster. However, international schools offer a faster transition experience, and an almost immediate friend and

What are some of the difficulties bilingual children might face?

Bilingual children often have, initially, a smaller range of emotional vocabulary to explain their feelings. If you notice your “Some child is using only a few words to explain a great range of underestimate the emotional reactions, you can start using more words. For importance of their example, my daughter used the child’s bedroom. It’s word ‘angry’ to describe several emotional states, so I asked, “Are crucial to create a you feeling sad? Are you safe and secure frustrated? Or are you really angry?” After we discussed place for a child as those terms together, she soon as possible.” understood more about emotions. As a result, she could calm down quicker as she could explain what was happening for her and we could more effectively find solutions to her problems.

Living in a foreign country naturally has its ups and downs.

Sometimes we feel uncomfortable, stressed and even depressed. Should we hide our negative emotions from our kids or is it ok to be open?

First and foremost, our children want to be raised by parents, not robots. They need to know that they’re safe to express their emotions. If we show emotions, it helps them understand that all emotional reactions are relevant and valid.

But it’s important to remember that emotions are a direct result of our thinking. So if we are upset, we can explain to our children that we got trapped in some ‘upset thinking.’ This can help them understand themselves and their own reactions better.

ABOUT TAMMY FUREY To find out more about Tammy Furey visit her website at www.fureycoaching.com or her Facebook page at

www.facebook.com/fureycoaching

44 REAL ESTATE

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Experience the changing light and colours of the seasons up close with the floor-to-ceiling windows. Over four floors, the houses offer enough room to combine work and home life. A covered balcony and charming sun terrace in the upper floors create a connection to the outdoors and the adjoining bodies of water.

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L AYOUT PARTNERS

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Hello Switzerland’s online / in-app calendar lists many more events than we publish in the magazine. So go ahead and submit your favourite events on our website. They will be published online and our favourites make it onto these pages.

Thank you to our 13 layout partners for allowing us to work with the professionals at syn – Agentur für Gestaltung und Kommunikation ASW. Asian Express Shanghai – Chess Hanley's Sydney – The Family Movers – Trafimar Relocation Services Mexico – Asya International Movers – Franzosini Milan – Canal Movers & Logistics – Lift Van International Argentina Transportes Fink Rio de Janeiro – Trallero International Madrid

Get involved! www.helloswitzerland.ch/events

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AESCH | FIECHTEN | REINACH

issue 1 / 2016

CREATIVE LOAFING 45

HAVING A RAIL OF A TIME With one foot in the UK and another in Switzerland, dual citizen Natalia Hedges pens a witty juxtaposition on train systems and a cautionary tale of the hazards of candy.

We may mock the Swiss for their insanely precisionist timekeeping and fastidious ways but their achievements in engineering and construction speak for themselves. Think of the Gotthard tunnels or the Swiss Federal Railway system.

I personally have always had a weakness for Swiss trains. As a child, the first time I set my eyes on one of those double-decker carriages, I charged up the stairs and peered down from the window as if I’d just clambered up to the top of an enchanted castle. There’s something about Swiss trains that makes you feel safe. In my eyes they stand for a great feat of engineering and human ingenuity.

Illustration: © Randall Barriga

Very different is my regard towards British trains. I distinctly remember almost choking to death on a train in the UK as a teenager. No, it wasn’t after an all night club-spree, whilst devouring an early morning hamburger. It was one sunny afternoon, on a local train headed for Brighton, on the South coast of England. I was happily sucking on a humbug (for those unfamiliar with the term — think of a very big sweet) when the train made the first of several upward lurching movements, knocking the passengers about as if we had paid for a rickety ride at a funfair or embarked on a trip on the world’s first bouncy castle on wheels. It made me lose complete control of what was going on in my mouth and down the sweet went, in its entirety.

Not even standing up and bending my head forward to allow gravity to take over reversed its trajectory. This would never have happened on a Swiss train, I thought at the time. As we jittered and jolted onwards I was still coming to terms with the shock, and by that stage I had almost started to feel a little train sick. As we slowly jerked up towards the terminus station, I was relieved, to say the least.

The station had been built in the Victorian era, and by the looks of it, not much modernisation had taken place since. It was at that moment that I realised something very elementary — there are certain aspects of life in England that give you the impression you have travelled back in time. It was as if the flight that I had taken from Zurich to London wasn’t on an aeroplane at all but

a replica of H.G. Wells’ Time Machine in disguise. Vast segments of Britain’s infrastructure are still a testament to its Victorian heyday. The polar opposite to Switzerland’s modernistic, forwardthinking aspirations, where materials are durable and constructions are erected with the highest degree of accuracy and diligence, the hallmarks of Swiss quality. Here I found myself catapulted back into the great Victorian era, the golden age of the British Empire and industrial advancements.

The train finally jolted to a halt, it brought me back to the present.

Little did I know I was soon to encounter a completely new kind of era — the era of gaping gaps. In the service provider’s defence, I was alerted to this impending danger before alighting the train by means of an on-board announcement to “Please remember to take all your baggage with you and beware of the gap as you alight the train.” Mind the gap, a sentence most people become familiar with when using the London Underground. So I thought nothing of it. But standing at the threshold of the train, about to alight, I gazed down and found myself wishing the Oxford Dictionary would have been more specific when defining the word ‘gap’ since in this instance a 1 ft (30cm) drop and then a considerable leap in order to safely reach the other side would have been a suitable definition for the word. One small step for some is obviously one large leap for others. So I took the plunge, braved the odds and survived.

Life in Switzerland is distinctly different in the sense that gaps are scarce. So scarce in fact that I almost end up tripping over the gap that isn’t there as I take a lunge off the train and realise the floor is waiting for me. Now that has to be at least a little dangerous. Not only are there no gaps but trains are able to travel very smoothly at high speeds, through icy blizzards and sweets can be eaten at one’s leisure. You have to give it to the Swiss, it may be a small country and that makes it relatively easy to maintain, but don’t they do it brilliantly. If anyone ever does design and build a time machine in the future, I hope it will be the Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (Swiss Federal Railways), better known as SBB in German or CFF in French, with maybe a smidgen of support from the Brits — just for old time’s sake.

46 THE L AST WORD

MEET AMBASSADOR DAVID MORAN DISCOVERING THE WORLD ONE POST AT A TIME

Growing up on diplomatic posts around the world, the UK’s current ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein, David Moran, discusses life abroad, similarities between the Swiss and British, and what’s on the minds of the international business community.

BY ASHLEY ROQUE

David Moran

Very well. My father was also in the British Foreign Service, and I was born in Munich on a diplomatic posting. It’s funny — even in the same family you can have kids who react differently. I was hooked on travel but not all of my siblings were. One in particular never wants to move anywhere again. Not because of not liking the countries, but just wanting to be in one place. Whereas I have been very happy to move every few years.

If you move often, it can be a challenge that you overcome or it can be a pleasure. For me, most moves generally involve a mixture of both but the pleasures always outweigh the challenges. I think that is part attitude, part experience and part the places I end up going.

You have lived in Kenya, France, Russia and Switzerland among other places. Where do you consider home?

A little bit of each country I’ve lived in is home. My approach has always been that you’ve really got to find something in each country that you like and really use the experience positively — because it is three to four years of your life.

Each place has something unique to offer, whether there is a lot or relatively little in common with your home country. It’s not too difficult to find something about a place that makes you feel at home, and in many countries there is an enormous culture of hospitality which also makes it easier.

How do you feel about the Swiss culture of hospitality?

I have to say in terms of adjustment and settling, this has been one of the easiest places I have ever moved to. Everywhere has had many pluses, but Switzerland I think is ‘Brit-compatible.’

We’re two different cultures, two different personality styles but have many things in common. One is a pragmatic streak and another is a slight sense of difference — without taking it too far! We both engage with the rest of the world proactively but we are also aware of our self-identity. I think that we value that in each other, as well as in ourselves. We also laugh at each other’s jokes — I have to say

not always! But quite often the British and Swiss senses of humor are compatible.

Given your experience, what tips do you have for expats settling into a new country?

I hesitate to make specific recommendations because everyone has their own way of adjusting. However, what I tend to do is explore a country through areas I am particularly interested in. That then provides an insight into the country as a whole.

I was a musician, I suppose I still am, and so I have been really pleased to find a high quality of music here and a very large number of festivals with good musicians from all over the world. So it’s been great fun understanding Swiss culture through the prism of music.

Finally, with forthcoming changes to Switzerland’s immigration law, what’s on the mind of the international business community here?

The world is an unsettled place these days, and there are plenty of things one can worry about. Insecurity and conflict in the regions outside of Europe, and the implications for Europe of the refugee crisis. There is also the state of the global economy. We are in a period of uncertainty. I say that kind of widely — changes in the EU, perhaps changes within Switzerland, the strong franc... . The business community remains very focused on the various economies where they are involved — British, Swiss, the Eurozone. Prospects for the first two of these are generally better than the third. This owes much to the commitment in both our countries to openness, competitiveness and innovation, as well as an awareness that engaging proactively with the rest of the world is a better strategy for prosperity than looking inwards.

I think that the international business community in Switzerland takes a very global approach. For example, in general, many of the British here do not just think of themselves as British expats. They work in global companies and think about things happening in the Far East or in Latin America. Given what is happening in the Middle East and North Africa their questions to me can range very widely indeed.

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