Frontier Magazine Issue 2 - Spring 2013 by Media Frontier

AUSANNE

GENEVA - L 13 - ISSUE

SPRING 20

- NEIGHBO

FRONTIER MAGAZINE

WIN!

TICKETS TO THE REGION’S BEST EVENTS

FRANCE THREATENS KNOCKOUT BLOW Proposed health insurance changes could wipe out benefits of living in France

UN-AFFORDABLE? ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

is geneva still the right place for the un?

schools & summer camps

WINE TOURISM

FRACKING ‘ELL!

T BORDER

E WITHOU

NCE | LIV URING FRA

born to be wild eagles!

PLUS GET IN SHAPE | BEST SPORTS BARS | THE GREAT OUTDOORS & MUCH MORE!

Published by Anglo Media Group SA Images Building, 1st floor 9, rue Veyrot, Geneva 1217, Switzerland T 022 989 53 10 Directors Peter Sibley & Mark Butcher Editor George Powell Creative Director Matt Martin Designed by Media Frontier www.mediafrontier.ch Advertising & Promotion Radio Frontier T +41 (0) 22 989 53 10 E - advertising@radiofrontier.ch Print Run 25,000 Distribution International Organisations, NGOs, Multinational companies, Hotels, Geneva Airport, Shopping Centres, International Schools, Tourist Offices FRONTIER MAGAZINE All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices listed are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change.

GET YOUR COPY! We hope that you enjoy Frontier Magazine, which is available at a number of locations across the region (see page 76 for a selection). Why not pick up an extra copy for friends & family? If you would like to have Frontier Magazine delivered to your organisation or business, please give us a call on : +41 (0) 22 989 53 10

Ten years ago I lived with my parents in Gex and went to school at La Châtaigneraie just over the border. This was a nuisance because there wasn’t a great deal to do around there and most of my friends lived in the Terre Saint region. At that time Gex was seen as the Wild West, a frontier land on the very outskirts of civilisation that only the most intrepid would visit. Getting to and from Geneva meant catching the daily F bus. Fast forward to 2013 and things have certainly changed as development in the region rockets forward at an unprecedented pace. Construction seems to be happening on every available patch of land and while public transport still isn’t perfect, things are certainly getting better. There has been a lot of talk in the press these last two years about Lausanne and especially Geneva going down the pan, with dealers on every corner, burglars nipping across the border and street violence on the rise. Everyone knows someone who’s been the victim of crime and Geneva’s Champ-Dollon prison is already way over capacity. Clearly authorities on both sides of the border need to step it up and come up with real, practical solutions before the Lake Geneva Region stops being a great place.

That’s the bottom line. This is a great and relatively safe place to live and work and anyone who says it’s boring or dull, in my experience, tends to be boring and dull themselves. We have great summers with lakes and rivers to jump in and out of, beaches to tan at, festivals to go to and beautiful spots to visit all over the place, we’re nestled between the Alps and the Jura, which takes care of our winters. When I started working for Radio Frontier in June 2011 one of the first things my bosses Mark Butcher and Peter Sibley spoke to me about was making sure people saw the fun and positive things about living and working in this region. I told them that would be no problem, because I genuinely love it here and, while I’m not planning to spend the rest of my working life in the region, I certainly plan to end up here. I would like to say a big thank you to all the contributors and everyone else involved. I hope you enjoy the second issue of Frontier Magazine, it’s been a real pleasure making it.

George Powell. Follow me on twitter: @powellgeorge

SUMMARY

FRONTIER

IS FRONTIER THE NEW BRAND IN GRAND GENèVE? 6 HEALTH, WEALTH + UNHAPPINESS

GET IN SHAPE FOR SUMMER

BUILD ON SOLID FOUNDATIONS

FRACKING - ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE?

REVISION GUIDE FOR PARENTS

MAKING AN EDUCATED DECISION

IPAD CLASSES : AN APPLE A DAY

THE PUBLIC GOOD 40 Au pair! 42 UN-AFFORDABLE 46 FRONTIER TALENT : MOLOTOV

EUROPE’S BIGGEST PLAYGROUND AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

WINE TOURISM IN THE FRONTIER REGION

BUCKING THE TREND 68 BUYING A HOUSE IN SWITZERLAND

GENEVA WILD EAGLE CHEERLEADERS

RAISING THE SPORTS BAR

BADJ 76 RADIO FRONTIER & WRS - Q&A

IS FRONTIER THE NEW BRAND IN ‘GRAND GENèVe’? Mark Butcher

What a year – and a bit. Radio Frontier has only been going for just over 18 months and since then we’ve transmitted 15,000 hours of English language radio to the local region, we’ve launched the only English magazine for the local region – (Frontier Magazine; yes, you’re reading our second issue) and we’ve established our very own creative digital design and web agency, Media Frontier, which already supports many of the most visible companies and organizations in the area. This is a great opportunity to say many thanks to all our partners and clients. We really appreciate your support, your commitment to the local region and for putting your faith in us. We love small businesses – like ours and we firmly believe the future of the region depends on a vigorous Anglophone business community. Money’s tight – we have to mention it Over the past year the economic downturn has affected this area. Not as dramatically as other areas in Europe admittedly, (and we should all be grateful for that), but there is a bit of pain in the local economy – marked clearly by the closure of the Merck Serono offices in Geneva. The loss of local jobs is rippling out into other areas of the economy. We hear that the schools have seen a drop in student applications as some families have had to move out and it’s probably hit the housing market too with plenty trying to sell property so they can move on. We’ve even heard that the second-hand car market is flooded in this area. But, as with all downturns it’s not all bad news. We know that many who’ve lost jobs over the last year or so have managed to find new jobs in the area – and others are setting up their own new businesses. For those trying to forge their own future, we wish them all the best. You will get nothing but our full support - as we’re FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

always happy to support new businesses in the region. Can Geneva afford the UN? Is it healthy for ex-pats to live in France? In this issue we examine the cost of hosting the United Nations in Geneva. Is it just too expensive in these cash tight times? Is Geneva really the right place for the UN, when Asia is booming and everywhere in the world would be more cost-effective? What would dramatic changes to the UN mean to the international community. And across the border is there a potential timebomb for expats with the possible imposition of French health insurance on frontalier workers? Could new French legislation wipe out the cost benefits of living in France? Will many cross-border workers want to move back into Switzerland? We’ll also suggest what you can do if you don’t believe this is helpful for the region. The importance of being educated ‘Today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders’ – is an often quoted remark. While not every kid will be a world leader, it’s fair to assume that the next generation will face a world of growing challenges. Our own generation, frankly, seems to have been, well, largely useless. We’ve failed to stop pollution and bring peace to the world – the gap between rich and poor has grown wider - and now we’re leaving the next generation with an enormous debt to pay off. Perhaps tonight, when you sit down and have dinner with the family, you should look your children in the eyes and say ‘Sorry’. But what we can do is make sure that the children of today have the best mental groundwork possible - and that’s achieved through education. And this region

is fortunate to have some of the best educational opportunities you can find in Europe. In this edition, we look at the different options available in the region - and there is a wide choice. There are private schools offering International Baccalaureate programmes, SATS, etc…or UK based ‘A ‘ levels, there are schools that teach exclusively on iPads, or you can choose the robust and high-quality State sector – where you have a choice between the French, Swiss or bilingual systems. In this edition, we’ll explain some of the options – as we see them - and help you choose. Frack that! Fracking is a dirty word. Or is it? The international debate surrounding shale gas drilling continues to rumble on – perhaps literally as one of the main fears is that fracking could cause earthquakes. Locals living near potential sites worry about the largely unknown long term effects, while fracking fans say it’s an excellent long-term solution for cleaner energy. We examine the pros and cons as companies vie to launch the first fracking operations in the Pays de Gex. Get outside… Also in this edition of Frontier Magazine, we want to make sure everyone enjoys the big outdoors. Our local experts write up their recommendations for the best local hiking and cycling routes, as well as some guidance from our resident wine presenter, Simon Harding, on getting to know the local vineyards. Get inside… When you’ve had enough exercise but still want some sporting action, we have a rundown of the best pubs to watch sport in across the region. Come on, put your feet up. For all of us that Live Without Borders – we deserve it. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

Music

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HEALTH, wealth + unhappiness Bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland have given cross-border workers, or frontaliers, special options when it comes to which health cover they can choose. Since 2002, frontaliers have been able to pay for health insurance in their country of residence and not just the country they work in. Unfortunately for frontaliers living in France and working in Switzerland, that may all be about to change.

As it stands As it stands a frontalier worker has two options: get insured in their country of residence or in their country of employment. If they opt for country of residence they have three options. The French universal health care cover which is called the CMU (couverture maladie universelle) into which they pay annual contributions. The second option, which is by far the most popular, with 90% of the county’s 140,000 frontaliers opting for this one, is private health cover in France. The final option for cross-border workers is a special frontaliers version of the LAMAL, which is the basic Swiss health cover. The problem for frontaliers living in France and working in Switzerland is that the French government wants this to change, taking away the cross-border worker’s droit d’option; in simple terms taking away their health insurance choices and forcing everyone into the CMU. The initial date for this change was back in 2002, however pressure from frontalier groups kept the government at bay, and the cross-border workers their unusual health insurance options. France’s new government led

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

by Francois Hollande decided it was time to gather some additional funds and change these irregularities. He announced that from the 1st of January 2013 frontaliers would no longer have the choice of which insurance cover they wanted. More pressure from frontalier groups however caused the government to backtrack somewhat, setting the new date on 31st of May 2014.

“Private health cover suits frontalier workers. They are well looked after, reimbursed quickly and the cost corresponds to their needs. The vast majority of crossborder workers currently pay for private health insurance. Transferring to the CMU will be more expensive and frontaliers will have to pay for additional cover, as the base cover for the CMU covers around 70% of your medical expenses.”

What’s likely to change?

New calculation of CMU

If the due date of the 31st of May 2014 isn’t extended, the exemption which allows frontaliers these options will be cancelled. If a cross-border worker opted to be insured in their country of residence, they would no longer be allowed to rely solely on private health insurance; they would be forced to take the CMU, with considerable financial implications.

As it stands, the CMU is calculated at a rate of 8% of your annual income, above a minimum threshold set by the government each year. A high figure for many frontaliers. According to an organisation called Travailler en Suisse, the CMU from 2014 will be calculated using a rate of 13.5 %, which would result in a considerable step up in costs. A frontalier making 80,000 Euros a year would be paying 9,580 Euros towards their CMU health insurance. For a potential two trips to the doctors this does indeed seem high, especially when you consider that you will need to buy additional insurance on top of the CMU 70% cover.

Valérie Pagnot is a legal expert from a group called the Amicale des Frontaliers, a 17,000 person strong association that defends the interests of cross-border workers.

At the moment your contributions to the CMU is worked out as follows : (Annual income - 9164) X 0.8 The figure of 9164 is set each year by the French government on the 1st of October. The rate of 8% is also set by authorities. Therefore if your annual salary is €80,000 you contribution to the CMU would be €5,666.88 (80,000-9,164) X 0.08 = 5,666.88 From the 31st of May 2014 this percentage will change to 13.5, meaning your contributions to the CMU will indeed increase considerably : (80,000-9,164) X 0.135= €9,562.86.

Purchasing power One of the big fears from the frontalier groups is that the May 2014 health insurance changes will not only limit the options and choice for cross-border workers but the increased financial contributions will also have an impact on their purchasing power which in turn would have a knock on effect and impact local business as well as the longer term impact on industries involved in construction and development throughout the border regions.

Facilities Another issue facing frontaliers in the region is infrastructure, or lack of it. As it stands the majority of frontaliers use health facilities in Switzerland, the Hôpital de la Tour or the University Hospital of Geneva for example. However if the changes pass in 2014 and frontaliers are forced to pay into the CMU they will more often than not be made to use French facilities putting huge pressure on the regions already scarce facilities. Over on the Annemasse side of the lake there are several hospitals including the Centre Hospitalier d’Annemasse, the Hôpital Intercomunal Sud Leman Valserin in St-Julien-en-Genevois or the Hôpitaux du Leman in Thonon and Evian. For crossborder workers living on the Pays de Gex

side of the lake options are extremely limited with nothing more than the odd retirement home and a few GPs dotted about the place. Guylaine Riondel-Besson is a European and International social security lawyer and the Director of Legal at the frontalier group, the Groupement Transfrontalier Européen:

“We don’t have enough practitioners in this region as it is, so if all the cross-border workers suddenly come for treatment in France then how much longer will we have to wait for treatment? It’s hard to imagine at the moment but we’re going to have to come to terms with it sooner or later. We’ve got many questions and we’ll have to come up with a solution that suits this region. People won’t necessarily be able to stop their treatment in Switzerland from one day to the next. These are things we need to discuss with the French authorities.”

organised petitions and demonstrations.

What can you do? Valérie Pagnot from the Amicale des Frontalier feels that all is far from lost and that with the right action in the months leading up to May 2014 cross-border workers can still hope to keep their health cover options open.

“We can certainly do something. Nothing has been decided yet but without action and mobilisation, then the dice have been cast.” Despite Valérie’s optimism it seems that options are limited and aside from liking the “Frontaliers ou Bien?” Facebook page or writing a letter to your local MP the easiest option is to sign the petition organised by the various cross-border worker groups in the region.

Frontalier ou bien? Cross-border groups in the region There are several frontalier groups who have be representing the rights of crossborder workers for years and have taken on a key role in pressuring the government to not follow through with their proposed health insurance changes. The two big ones are the Groupement Transfrontalier Européen which is made up of 35,000 people and has been up and running for the last 50 years and the group Frontalier ou Bien? Frontalier ou Bien? was formed in December 2012 and is a collective made up of three different cross-border worker groups: the Amicale des Frontaliers, Alptis Frontaliers and the CPTFE which is the Comité de Protection des Travailleurs Frontaliers Européens - committee for the protection of European crossborder workers. The group represents just under a quarter of France’s 140,000 cross-border workers (37,000 people) and has become a key figure in the frontalier struggle to keep the right to choose their insurance. There has been some talk in the local press recently that having two separate groups fighting for the same thing might not be the most effective way of achieving results but both groups say they are committed to the same cause and have both met with ministers and

Check the features section at www.radiofrontier.ch for links to the various petitions. www.facebook.comFrontaliersOuBien? www.frontalier.org

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

get in shape for summer

fit tips with geneva fitness

Part 1 | lose weight with tamara 14 With the summer holidays quickly approaching, it is time to put some serious thought into getting fit and creating your ideal beach worthy body. Everyone can achieve results just as long as you make getting fit and healthy a priority in your life. There is no need to starve yourself or spend hours doing cardio at the gym. In fact, I suggest that you do the complete opposite! If you follow our simple and effective nutrition and exercise plan, you will lose weight and never feel hungry, and tone up without spending anything more than a few minutes of your

time. All you need to succeed is the right mindset and the “No excuses” policy. Our plan is simple and easy to follow and has been proven to melt away the fat and rev up the metabolism. Find yourself a partner or even a group of friends and keep each other accountable along the way. It is a fact that when you have a good support group to motivate and encourage you, you will stick with the plan and get the results you seek.

Ryan and Tamara from Geneva Fitness Ryan and Tamara own and run Geneva Fitness. Tamara specialises in female wellbeing and encourages her clients to stay away from fad diets and promotes all natural and whole foods, while Ryan is well known in the region for his weight loss and strength gain boot camps. Head over to www.personaltrainergeneva.com for more information.

Abs are made in the kitchen! Losing weight is easy but keeping it off and maintaining that svelte physique can be quite the challenge. My advice to anyone looking to change their body shape and improve their health is to NEVER go on a diet!. Our bodies need to be nourished and fuelled in order to function well and sustain energy to partake in physical exercise. Nourishing food does not come in a package or contain any artificial ingredients. It is all natural and whole food, which provides our bodies with everything that it needs.

Eliminate processed foods from your diet. Anything that is man-made or that has been pre-cooked and packaged and contains ingredients that you can’t pronounce, should not be eaten.

grains. Wheat, barley, spelt, 02 Eliminate rye, rice and any products made with

grains such as bread, cakes, pasta, couscous etc should be avoided.

Eliminate dairy for the first 28 days and then re-introduce slowly and eat only occasionally.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 01 -2012/13 SPRING 2013

sugar and alcohol. You can use 04 Eliminate some honey as a sweetener for herbal teas and coffee and for baking treats, but use it sparingly.

a large glass of water with a 05 Drink squeeze of lemon juice first thing in the morning and then continue to drink fluids throughout the day.

protein with every meal, including your 06 Eat snacks. Meat, fish, eggs or pulses are all good protein sources. Protein is essential for successful fat loss, so make it a priority.

Eat plenty of vegetables and some fruit. Fruits are high in sugar and carbs so don’t over indulge. Pile your plate high with green veggies and salads and choose seasonal produce whenever you can.

on nuts and seeds. A small handful 08 Snack of nuts will sustain you between meals

and provide a rich source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and energy. Choose un-salted and raw nuts only.

only natural foods and foods that our 09 Eat ancestors would have eaten. If you can kill it or grow it, then you can eat it! Think meat and 2 veg...fish and salad....vegetable stews...omelettes etc.

your portion size. A portion of 10 Watch protein should be the size of your palm. A

portion of carbs (sweet potato or quinoa for example) should fit into a cupped hand. A portion of fruit is about one cup and I would say that you can eat as many veggies as you like. Follow these guidelines and stick with it for at least a month. My last tip would be to keep a food diary too. Write down everything that you eat throughout the day and make mindful decisions each time you have a feeding opportunity. Make sure that your choices are taking you nearer to your goal and not sabotaging your results.

Part 2 | get in shape with ryan This total body primal workout will give you great gains in strength and stamina while simultaneously burning fat and building lean, toned muscle, guaranteed to get you fit in no time. Perform the following workout in an interval and circuit training format two or three times a week with a day’s rest in between. For beginners I recommend starting with 30 seconds of exercise and 30 seconds of rest. Change to the next exercise until you have completed all six exercises in the circuit. You should be aiming to do between two and four rounds

depending on time. For the more advanced among you, do 40 seconds of exercise followed by 20 seconds of rest for four rounds. You can rest one minute after the 2nd round if needed. Be sure to cool down with some good stretches for the hip flexors (groin) and quads, the chest, calves and hamstrings. Try to hold each stretch for up to 1 minute. For a full description of each of the exercises please find an in depth video online at the following web address : www.youtu.be/AOuHsoRP-Jc Listen to Fit Tips every Monday on Radio Frontier.

Single Leg Glute Bridge

Split Squat

Bear Crawl

On the floor, face up, right knee bent to 90 degrees with heel on the ground, left leg lying straight on the ground. Fire your right glute to bridge hips to sky so weight is supported only by the right heel and shoulders. The left leg will follow the hips to the sky remaining straight. Hold for 1 second and return to start position. Change legs next round or at halfway point.

With your toes on one foot touching a wall with your other leg out behind you and your your hands behind your head. Lower your body down by bending your knee and hip on the front leg. Allow heel of rear foot to rise up while knee of rear leg bends slightly until it almost makes contact with floor. Return to original standing position by extending hip and knee of forward leg. Repeat. Alternate legs each round or at halfway.

To do the Bear Crawl, simply drop onto all fours with your hands directly under your shoulders, then rise up onto your feet. Now you’re in the bear position. March forward or backward with opposite arm and opposite leg moving together.

Glutes/Bum, Hamstrings, Core

Glutes/Bum, Quads/Thighs

Core, Shoulders, Hips, Quads/Thighs

Jumping Jack Squat

Shoulders, Hips, Legs, Heart and Lungs

Pledge Press-up

Core, Triceps, Shoulders, Hips

Start in a push-up position with shoulders over your wrists, chin tucked, bum and stomach squeezed for support. Lower your chest keeping your elbows close to your side going down at roughly a 45 degree angle. Once you reach the bottom position, push yourself back up. As you near the top of the movement bring one hand and reach to the opposite shoulder without losing form. Repeat the movement and change arms each repetition.

Side Plank

Core-Obliques, Shoulders, Hips

Lie on your side with your body straight, one foot on top of the other, your left upper arm directly under your shoulder, your left hand and forearm placed on the ground and pointing directly in front of you. From there simply push up so that your elbow is bent at 90 degrees and only your left foot, hand and forearm are in contact with the floor. Hold for time and switch sides next round.

To perform Jumping Jacks stand upright with your legs together and arms next to the sides of your body. Jump your legs apart so that they are wider than your hip width. At the same time raise your arms out to the sides to shoulder level and higher to form a star shape. Return your arms and legs by jumping back in while simultaneously bending your knees to reach for your toes in a squat pattern. Repeat the movement exhaling as you jump outwards.

FRONTIER FRONTIER MAGAZINE MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 ISSUE - SPRING 01 2012/13 2013

buiLd on solid foundations Written by Jules Lagadec from Expat Renovations

Jules Lagadec founded Expat Renovations in the autumn of 2009. Jules moved to the Geneva area in July 2001, from the UK. While she was in England, she renovated the first two houses that she owned. On moving to the Geneva area, she completed a further two renovations. The difficulties she faced undertaking these two jobs pushed her to create a dedicated English speaking renovation company. www.expat-renovations.com

Whether you’ve lived here for years or recently moved to the region, the idea of buying and doing up your own home is tempting for many and the rewards can be huge: your very own place, remodeled to your exact specifications. Financially renovating a house can be very interesting as well. Renovations however are complex and need very careful planning. It’s not just a case of putting on your overalls and grabbing a sledgehammer and chisel. There are many different aspects to consider before embarking on a renovation. If you are about to undertake a major renovation in Switzerland here are a few points that might help guide you in the right direction. Determine what your goals are and what you want to achieve. Don’t forget to think about the implications for the future resale value of your house. New kitchens and bathrooms are always a very important plus point. However a highly energy efficient house is also very important.

You should always involve an architect if you are considering a major structural addition to your house such as an extension. Your architect will have the necessary insurances in place and is responsible for completion of the project in accordance with the strict Swiss building regulations.

When considering improving the energy efficiency of your house investigate what ‘subventions’ or tax rebates you can get back from the state. There are tax rebates for installing triple glazed windows, external insulation, internal insulation and eco-friendly heating options for your house such as heat pumps and solar panels. All new installations must be carried out as per the SIA norms (Swiss Building Regulations). Your installation will be controlled at the end of the works to make sure the SIA norms have been adhered to before any rebate is paid out.

If you do not require an architect and do not feel up to coordinating multiple companies yourself for the various aspects of your project, one option is to engage a renovation company to manage your project. They usually have all the necessary trades in house to carry out your entire renovation. If not they will bring in the necessary companies and coordinate their work seamlessly on site with their own team.

Do you need to borrow additional money from your bank or do you already have sufficient funds? If you do need to borrow money you may also need to get a Swiss architect involved as banks often require a project to be managed. Some banks will only pay the submitted invoices for works being carried out if they are stamped and signed by an architect. The project management fees charged by an architect are set by the SIA norms and are calculated as a percentage of the total value of the project. For a small project this percentage can reach as much as 25%. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Be very careful in your choice of renovation company. Make sure they are Swiss registered. Any company outside of Switzerland wanting to carry out work in Switzerland must apply for permission beforehand. They are only allowed to work for a maximum of 90 days a year. If you are carrying out major renovation works you are almost certain to have a control by work inspectors at some time during the project. This involves inspectors arriving unannounced and controlling all the workers on site making sure that they have the necessary work permits. The homeowner themself runs the risk of substantial fines should illegal workers be found on site.

Every renovation project requires an opening of worksite (Ouverture du Chantier) form to be completed and submitted to the ‘Police de Construction’. This should be completed by either your architect or renovation company. One of the most important sections that needs to be completed is whether an asbestos survey of the house has been carried out. By law, before any workers are allowed to start work, a survey needs to be carried out, which involves samples being taken and sent to the lab. If the results are positive, a specialist certified company carries out the asbestos removal. It is unfortunately a very expensive procedure. Once completed the air needs to be monitored for 24 hours to make sure it is asbestos free. Only then can work begin. Work carried out on your electrics is highly regulated. As soon as you modify any part of your electrical circuit, if the rest of circuit is not up to date in terms of current Swiss norms with regards to the correct coloured wires, you are obliged by law to change them. The same is true of the electric box. Work can only be carried out by a Swiss certified electric company, who themselves will be controlled after work has been completed by an independent body, from whom you will receive a certificate of compliance. This is essential for your household insurance. Lastly, if your budget will stretch to it, try and future proof your house now. Home automation will become expected more as a standard rather than an added luxury.

If you would like a nurturing and child-centred alternative to the bigger schools, consider us. The British School of Geneva offers education in English for 5 to 18 year olds in an exceptional, modern setting. Here children thrive because they feel known, safe and empowered to grow intellectually and emotionally. Our highly-qualified and experienced teachers achieve excellent results in our Primary, Secondary and A-Level sections, challenging and guiding students through the coherent programme of the English National Curriculum. Your child will benefit from small class sizes and the individual attention that an intimate environment can offer best. Non mother tongue students welcome – we are a school for children of the world. Schedule a visit to see for yourself what makes us different.

OUTLET AUBONNE CHEMIN D’ES BONS 14 1170 AUBONNE OPENING HOURS: MO – WE: 10AM TO 7PM TH – FR: 10AM TO 9PM SA: 9AM TO 6PM

WWW.OUTLET-AUBONNE.CH

c a Fr

If you haven’t seen the documentary called GASLAND, take a look, or at least check out the trailer on YouTube. It’s about energy companies in America extracting natural gases from the ground using a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing, or as it’s better known: fracking. According to the documentary the technique used to extract the gas causes mini earthquakes and the chemicals used in the process affects people’s water supply, not only making it toxic to drink, but in the case of two families in the documentary, making it flammable. Fracking is most definitely a controversial topic at the moment with governments

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

unsure whether to ban it, allow it, or as is the case on our doorstep, to allow preliminary fracking tests to be carried out. Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, two things are for sure: firstly there are very real environmental issues that come with hydraulic fracturing and secondly, there’s big money involved. At a time when the need for cheap energy is higher than ever, fracking isn’t going anywhere. It is important to note that as it stands actual hydraulic fracturing is illegal under French law, so we won’t be setting fire to our water any time soon. This doesn’t mean, however,

g n i k c all it’s cracked up to be? Confusion and uncertainty surrounding hydraulic fracturing in the in the Pays de Gex.

that the issues that come with potential fracking in the future and the tests which are set to start this year shouldn’t be taken seriously. The process itself involves boring down several thousand metres into the ground, using concrete to form a casing, pumping millions of litres of water and chemicals into the shale, which then fractures the rock and forces up the hydrocarbons, in the form of oil and gas, to the surface. Unlike the extraction of traditional gases or oil which is more easily pumped up from sandstone or sand formations, these hydrocarbons, are spread out in tiny droplets in the earth’s

bedrock which needs to be fractured and broken to access. The fracking issue - or gaz de schiste in French - isn’t exactly breaking news in the Lake Geneva region, as the permits for hydraulic fracturing tests were approved by the French government back in 2008 and there’s been talk of companies drilling beneath Lake Geneva for some time now. The permit which is likely to affect us most directly is the “Permis de Gex” which was approved by French energy and ecology ministers on the 28th of May 2009. The permit allows three energy companies, including Edgon Resources (New Ventures)

Ltd. and Nautical Petroleum Plc from the UK and a Canadian company, exclusive rights for five years of initial tests, which includes drilling to find liquid and gas hydrocarbons. The financial investment at this stage in the proceedings stands at €1,160,000. If the tests approved by the French Government later turn into actual fracking, people on both sides of the border will be sharing more than just picturesque scenery and public transport links, which is the worry of Green party candidate and deputy from the Grand Conseil of Geneva →

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Anne Maher: “People seem to think fracking issues will stop at the border. They won’t. If the fracking projects go ahead it will directly affect us here in Switzerland by contaminating our water shelf. People in Switzerland are to a certain extent aware of the potential issues, but not to the point where they are willing to get together and do something about it, like there are all over France.” In fact there isn’t a great deal people in Switzerland can do about the proposed fracking projects, although a number did attend a demonstration in St Julien in February 2012 and more recently in Aixles-Bains. On the French side of the border concerned residents can do little more than attend rallies and sign petitions. But what are the potential risks of fracking? According to retired hydrologist Jacques Cambon, who now lives locally, the main problem that will come with fracking is water pollution. “The problem with extracting hydrocarbons is that somewhere between 10 and 20 million litres of water, mixed with all sorts of chemicals, are needed to fracture the rock. That amount of water is equal to the daily water consumption of a town of 100,000 people. Pretty much half of this polluted water will stay in the ground and potentially find its way to other water beds, contaminating the lot. The other half of the water will come back to the surface. The problem is that as well as being contaminated with the added chemicals, it will also have gathered other pollutants along the way, including bacteria or chemicals like Radon, which is radioactive. As it stands, there are prototypes which will one day clean this kind of water, but for now we have no effective, tried and tested way to treat it.”

According to Dr. Anthony Ingraffea, a leading expert on hydraulic fracturing from the University of Cornell in the United States, the most dangerous part of the whole fracking process is not the fracking itself, which is a relatively short process, but the time the contaminated water is stored on the surface both before and after it has been used. As it stands this form of hydraulic fracturing using water is the only effective way of accessing the sought after gases and oils. There are companies, notably in the US that are testing out different techniques that would fracture the rock without using the vast quantities of water, instead using carbon dioxide, liquid Propane or liquid Helium for example. So far, however using water has proved the only effective method. Air pollution remains relatively low from fracking per se, however the pollution from the emissions associated with the process, be it diesel engine exhaust or methane emission from the whole process of drilling should not be ignored. William Dowell is a journalist who has followed the fracking developments in the region over the last couple of years and feels there are significant issues other than the obvious dangers of water and air pollution, that would affect us should testing come to exploitation in the future. Most significantly perhaps is the added strain on local resources. “The water may need to be brought in by truck, and the oil and gas needs to be trucked out, so the increase in traffic on local roads suddenly becomes intensified and rural areas quickly degenerate into industrial zones, with all the smog, noise and physical degradation that

that implies. The work demands specialized knowledge, which means importing and paying workers who are strangers to the area. That requires additional housing, schooling and a variety of other services in an area in which accelerated growth has already stretched services and transportation possibilities to breaking point.” Another question that needs to be considered when dealing with hydraulic fracturing in the region is the impact it could have on CERN’s installations, notably the Large Hadron Collider. The General Infrastructure Services Department at CERN, who carry out topographical surveying of CERN sites and installations are currently carrying out a study into the potential impact but will not have definitive results until the end of April 2013. In the meantime, CERN have worked with Swiss and French authorities and issued a map that marks out no drill zones. The bottom line at this point is that people aren’t sure what will happen over the next couple of years. Local authorities do not appear to be overly transparent about the permits and finding information isn’t easy. Hydraulic fracturing in the United States generally happens in sparsely populated regions yet the uproar from people living nearby is huge. If these tests do go ahead here, in an already crowded region, how long will we hang on to our fresh mountain water, beautiful views and picturesque scenery? For information on the fracking issues and on the permits that have been granted in this region you can head over to www.stopgazdeschiste.org

JURA AIN FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

HAUTE SAVOIE Outline of the ‘Permis de Gex’

revision tips for parents There aren’t many times in a young person’s life more stressful than exam time. Filling your brain with enough information to get you through weeks of back-to-back exams is a daunting process for most. Emotions run high and nerves are frayed for pupils but there are a few essential DOs and DON’Ts that parents should bear in mind when it comes to revision. These Dos and Don’ts were brought to you by TutorsPlus, a Geneva based company that offers tutoring services and academic support for students throughout Switzerland. Find them online at: www.tutorsplus.com

01 // Encourage them to begin their revision early and avoid last minute cramming. 02 // Help them to draw up a timetable with the number of subjects, the order in which exams will come and regular day to day homework. 03 // Help create a well-lit work area that’s free of distractions. 04 // Help your child try to predict exam questions. 05 // Be understanding if your child is a bit moody or difficult. 06 // Reward them after a long session, perhaps with a favourite snack.

DON’T

01 // Send mixed messages about priorities – don’t distract with other activities or interrupt them when they are working (to do chores, etc), and don’t plan family holidays for right before exam periods. 02 // Allow them to work more than one hour at a time without a short break (5/10 minutes). 03 // Be too rigid on when and where school work is done. Don’t assume that all children work and learn in the same way or at the same pace. Not all methods work for everyone. 04 // Disallow revising with a partner or study group. Working with a peer can be useful and motivating.

07 // Encourage them to take time out for their favourite hobby, to exercise or to hang out with friends.

05 // Underestimate the negative effect of disliking a subject. Make sure that all parts of the syllabus are included in the revision, not only the parts they like.

08 // Encourage a healthy eating routine.

06 // Provide a conflicting example. Do your children ever see YOU reading…?

09 // Try and maintain a positive and helpful attitude and offer encouragement.

07 // Be too busy to help (e.g. quizzing them on material…)

10 // Stay in touch with teachers.

08 // Don’t let them overdo it the day before a test. Make sure they don’t work too late and get enough sleep. 09 // Delay seeking help if it’s needed. 10 // Nag, criticize, get angry! Don’t communicate your own stress.

Lesley Stockman is the head of Secondary School at the British School of Geneva: “Remember that teachers will be able to help out with any

“Young people can feel very anxious at this time, between

advice on how best to approach revision in each subject and

exams and the other issues relating to adolescence”. “It is up

also to answer any questions you may have about how best

to us, the adults, to keep a cool head and to strive to avoid

to help your child.”

initiating conflict which can only be counter-productive.” FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

making an educated decision 22 The last two years of high school are extremely important for students. The system they choose and the grades they get will determine what happens next. Unlike in the UK or the US for example, where most pupils do the same systems, students in the Lake Geneva region have a wide range of options available to them.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma There’s no doubt that the IB is a tough system. Students do six subjects, including a language, a science and math. As well as this they have to complete a Theory of Knowledge essay, a 4000 word Extended Essay and complete a certain number of creativity, action and service hours. Needless to say it’s a well-rounded system that pushes students, but doesn’t necessarily suit everyone. Dr. Conrad Hughes is the IB coordinator at the La Chataigneraie campus of the International School of Geneva.

Universities find that IB students cope very well with university and that’s partially because the IB is different to the A-levels in terms of the criteria and reference assessment, with students taking ownership of the learning process. They are learning about learning and thinking about the whole program. The breath of the IB is important because of the job market and the way society is evolving, making it increasingly difficult to predict what skillset and expertise will be necessary in the future. The IB is empowering students to come out as all-rounders and not just narrow subject specialists.

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The breath of the IB is also one of its criticisms and students, parents and teachers need to think carefully before embarking on the two year program. The IB forces you to be an all-rounder, and while having a second language is a definite bonus, struggling through maths and science can be demoralising and push students off track. Another issue with taking the IB and applying to university in the UK is that many English universities still don’t fully grasp what the IB is all about, putting the equivalent A-level and IB grades out of sync. Dr. Hughes However thinks that universities are becoming more and more understanding and appreciative of the IB. Any child is capable of a broad based curriculum and any child can also be put in a narrow curriculum. To determine what sort of learner is best for the IB diploma can be a bit of a fallacy because you don’t really know until you’ve gone there. You need to ask yourself, how sure am I that this person at the age of 14 or 15 before you start on the diploma really is a narrow subject specialist and not an all-rounder? What it boils down to is how good is the school at supporting the student.

International Baccalaureate Courses (previously I.B certificates) If students, parents and teachers feel the full-on IB diploma isn’t the best option, there is the possibility of taking individual IB courses. This allows flexibility as students can take as many or as few subjects as they like. Doing IB courses instead of the diploma also frees you from the shackles of having to take three standard and three higher level classes and being forced to take one course from each of the subject groups. Conan de Wild is from the Nations campus of the International School of Geneva:

In theory you could load up on humanities or on sciences. The IB courses is a good option for a student who for whatever reason can’t or doesn’t want to take a particular subject. International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate (IBCC) From spring 2013 students will have another option available: The International Baccalaureate Career Related Certificate, which provides students with a more real-life career oriented qualification. The course is divided into two branches, the business track and the creative industries track.

Images © International School of Geneva

Conan de Wild is the head of the IBCC program at Nations campus of the International School of Geneva.

was the first school to offer the IBCC in 2011 and had good results in their first year.

We’re trying to put into practice what we all know, that many people aren’t that successful in school but then come out and do very well in real life, which seems to imply that there are skills which are not taught or assessed properly at school. We want to put an emphasis on those skills.

A-Levels

Students will learn real world skills, for example in the business track they will take marketing and accounting courses, learning about supply chain management, business fundamentals and entrepreneurship. They will also take creative design courses which includes 3D modelling, photography, Photoshop and Illustrator with professionals from the workplace holding regular classes and seminars with students. I think there are two kinds of students that should consider this course. The first is the specialist. A student who is fascinated by a particular field and knows that they want to go into business or entrepreneurship. The same goes for the creative industries, whether that’s to become and illustrator or go into advertising for example. The second kind is the student who realises that the way their knowledge is being tested in the IB isn’t doing them any favours. The way the course is graded is different from the IB with much more emphasis on portfolio assessment, meaning students aren’t stuck with most of their final grade relying on an exam at the end of two years.

“There are very few instances in the real world where we are asked to do things under exam like conditions.” The first graduating IBCC class graduated in the UK last year and 100% of them were accepted into university. Several schools alongside Nations will be launching their first IBCC courses next year including the International School of Brussels and the Anglo European School in the UK. The Berlin Brandenburg International School

There are only two schools that offer A-Levels in this region: the British School of Geneva and the Brillantmont International School in Lausanne. A-Levels are the traditional, post-GCSE course for students in the UK. In this programme, students take three or four subjects that they are interested in and where their strengths lie. The subjects are taught in a modular way, each of which is examined separately, avoiding heavy exam stress at the end. Mrs Raji Sundaram is the Principal of the British School of Geneva: A-Levels definitely suit a certain type of student, one who is good in certain academic areas. Being forced to do subjects that you are not interested in takes attention away from ones in which you can excel. The GCSEs which precede A-Levels offer a variety of subjects, thus providing a well-rounded education across the board. A-Levels are a safe bet if you are planning to go to university in the UK or anywhere else in the world, including North America, Australia or Europe. In the words of a former British School of Geneva student: Coming from a school where I was studying nine to ten subjects that didn’t interest me at all has shown me to what extent studying just three of four subjects was beneficial to my learning. I am now on my way to the university of my choice to study something I’ve been passionate about all my life.

Alison has two sons, one who went through the IB at La Chataignerie and had a great time, getting good grades, enjoying himself socially and coming out with the wellearned confidence that the international school gives you. Her younger son decided he wanted to head back to the UK for his A-Levels.

The boarding school decision is a big one and to be honest it wasn’t based on things that were necessarily wrong with the International School, but more things that were missing. Sport was one of them. There were amazing facilities, but few fixtures and a lack of school spirit It is a big decision and I think it needs to be the child who wants to do it. A-levels suited my son because he knew what direction he wanted to go in. I know that the rigour around academia and what was expected attracted him to the UK system. The International Schools get really good results but I feel there is pressure on the parents to keep an eye on things. I didn’t feel that if I let things slip someone else would be there to pick up the slack. I know that for my son in boarding school any problems will be picked up and dealt with by tutors. There is no doubt that schools in Geneva and Vaud offer an excellent standard of education and put students on the right track for life after high school. Picking the right system can be tricky but taking the time to decide and sitting down with students and teachers will help avoid headaches, tantrums and poor results in the future.

Boarding School Another option available to pupils and parents is boarding school. Some students need more rigour, discipline and structure, and find themselves drifting aimlessly through the International School system, cruising from free period to period, getting by, doing the minimum. Who’s to say a boarding school back home isn’t the right option? Sending little Simon off to live and study abroad aged 15 is quite a big decision though.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

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institut la gruyère T : +41 (0) 26 921 21 15 // www.institutlagruyere.ch

schools & summer camps

Founded in 1949 by a family of professors with a passion for education, the Institute “La Gruyère” continually strives to improve its methods of teaching. In addition to traditional schooling, the Institute has been organising summer courses for over 60 years and welcomes up to 50 students, boys and girls of all nationalities for courses during the month of July.

the student’s level. In the afternoon, numerous sporting and cultural activities are organised, such as visits to museums, the surroundings of the Gruyère castle or big Swiss cities. This summer course offers an ideal opportunity to learn French, English, Italian or Spanish or even to prepare oneself to obtain the Swiss Maturité level.

The mornings are spent studying various topics according to

Visit the website for more information.

Institut International de Lancy T : +41 (0) 22 794 26 20 // www.iil.ch With a proud tradition of excellence the Institut International de Lancy offers inspiring programmes in English and French, from preschool to the International and French Baccalaureate. The English Section follows the National Curriculum of England & Wales, and leads to Checkpoint and IGCSE examinations, and the IB Diploma (IB World School). Pupils attend French as a Foreign Language classes from the age of four and prepare for the DELF-PRIM examinations. The French Section proposes the French Education Nationale programme leading to the Brevet des Collèges and French Baccalaureate (S, ES, L). English is taught from the age of three and

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

students enter Cambridge, Trinity and IELTS exams. The school offers a Bilingual French/English programme. IIL students enjoy a variety of extra-curricular activities, language courses, modern sports facilities. The school also provides a school bus service and after school study supervision. Exclusive: First One to One iPad School in Switzerland IIL incorporates digital tablets into its daily schedule creating an accessible and studious individualized learning environment, and clear information sharing between teachers, parents and students.

the BRITISH SCHOOL of GENEVA T : + 41 (0) 22 795 75 10 // www.britishschoolgeneva.ch // info@britishschoolgeneva.ch BSG is an international school and welcomes students from over 40 nationalities. Core subjects are taught in English, though the French language is an important part of the syllabus. There is a strong commitment to providing excellent value and fees are very affordable compared to other international schools. BSG is proud to be a member of the Council of British International Schools and of the Geneva Association of Private Schools.

la c么te international school T : + 41 (0) 22 823 26 26 // www.international-school.org La C么te International School knows that moving to a new country and a new school can be both exciting and challenging. Families need to know that their children have a secure base at school where they will grow and prosper in an environment that encourages them to love learning and reach their full potential.

This school has created a learning environment which is embraced by all members of the school community. Their vision is a child-centred, personalised education, where high performance is the norm, ensuring that every child is able to be the best that they can be.

LCIS inspires and motivates students to acquire a set of attributes that will serve them well both during their time at school and as lifelong learners in a modern world full of rewards and opportunities.

Please contact us to find out more about our English curriculum and International Baccalaureate programmes.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

schools & summer camps

The British School of Geneva occupies a unique place on the landscape of private education in the Geneva region. As the only school in the area to offer the English National Curriculum from Year 1 through to A-Levels, it is an obvious choice for students transitioning from, or returning to, a British based curriculum. A-Levels allow students to develop specific areas of strength, enhancing university prospects worldwide. Class sizes are small - maximum 16 pupils in years 1-11 and only 10 in years 12 and 13. For a small school, facilities are exceptional.

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monsieur crot private schools, la Rippe T : +41 (0) 22 362 11 57 // www.monsieurcrot.ch

schools & summer camps

Monsieur Crot Private Schools offers a warm and secure environment for your child to reach the pinnacle of their educational career. The school offers a bi-lingual Montessori section for children aged 3 to 6 years, a primary section for 6 to 11 years olds and then a secondary school which covers grades 6-9 (12-16 years old). For older children, in a partnership with the Lycée Pareto, Monsieur Crot Private Schools offers a ‘Maturité’ section – the

qualification is valid for admission to any university in Europe – and a French Scientific Baccalauréat (Bac S). Monsieur Crot Private Schools is proud of the quality of the education they offer and the quality of the students that are accepted. The school only accepts students that they feel will get the most out of a high quality education.

the International school lausanne T : +41 (0) 21 560 02 02 // www.isl.ch The International School of Lausanne is one of the very few notfor-profit international schools in the region – this means all our income is reinvested in our school – our students, your children.

Due to heavy demand – the school is expanding to 960 places. The extra capacity also means the students will have better facilities and the chance to study more subjects.

The school offers the IB programme and is very successful. Their results are consistently some of the best in the world (ISL’s IB average 35, the world averages 29). The students attend some of the best universities in the world. There are also programmes to help children who do not have English as a main language.

The school prides itself on its sports, a strong Arts department and its world class IB programme. There’s also an excellent cafeteria and the school offers transportation services.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

GEMS World Academy-Etoy T : + 41 (0) 21 964 18 18 // www.gemsworldacademy-etoy.com GEMS World Academy-Etoy opens September 2013, starting from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9, ages 3 to 15, offering the best learning environment and experience available to students in the Geneva/Vaud area. Part of GEMS Education’s global network of award winning schools, it is backed by a team of world renowned educators to ensure it will deliver global best practice.

swedish school - a trilingual education T : +41 (0) 22 782 65 00 // www.svenskaskolan.ch In this increasingly globalized world – it’s becoming more and more important that our children are equipped with the skills to get the best out of their lives ahead. The Swedish School specializes in languages and focuses on each individual child’s specific needs and requirements and supports the child’s continuous learning and knowledge development. One parent says the small classes and attentive teachers means that their child is happy in school – and what more can a parent ask for?

Small classes are the key of getting the most out of education and lessons are run in English, French and Swedish. The school offers a safe and creative environment and prepares children for further education in either local or international schools. The school takes children from 1-11 years old and also has a wide choice of extensive language courses for older children and adults.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

schools & summer camps

A learning focussed ‘smart’ school, its facilities and features include: Media and ICT integrated into the learning experience at every age level with wireless, multi-device access throughout the school,

interactive digital learning areas, radio/TV studios with editing suites, music technology, experiential theatre, video conference facilities in every classroom, sports/fitness facilities and a language learning centre teaching world languages from year one which are also open to parents and community, a dyslexia centre, a parent café including breakfast and outdoor options in-season, extended day and holiday provision and full 24/7 security.

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Institute Florimont T : +41 (0) 22 879 00 00 // www.florimont.ch

schools & summer camps

The Institute Florimont offers a well-rounded educational experience in the calm surroundings of Petit Lancy. The school has been offering its unique curriculum since 1905. It’s a private Catholic school, but open to all faiths and has an international outlook. Its general education is based on the French (Baccalauréat sections ES, L, S) and Swiss systems (Maturité with bilingual option). The school’s aims are to teach the students to become leaders, think independently so they can reach their full potential in an

ever changing world while engendering a spirit of tolerance and respect. The school offers transportation and a canteen. The Institute Florimont also offers summer camps for children from 4-14 years every week throughout July. Activities include theatre, crafts, cultural outings, excursions, archery, mountain biking, fencing and gymnastics.

The Lake Léman International School T : +41 (0) 21 811 00 22 // www.llis.ch Lake Léman International School emphasises a holistic approach to education and acknowledges the value of learning, growth and self-awareness as lifelong endeavors. By providing a tailored inquiry-driven education, the school inspires students to develop their intellect, creativity and character to grow into socially responsible global citizens. The school offers a welcoming, safe, caring and supportive environment and considers itself to be a family school. The International Primary

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum are innovative approaches to education in an international context. These programmes are based on a set of explicitly defined learning goals for every subject, for personal development and, uniquely, for the development of ‘international mindedness’. LLIS is currently an ‘interested school’ for the I.B. Middle Years Programmes in anticipation of its future growth.

TutorsPlus T : +41 (0) 22 731 8148 // www.tutorsplus.com TutorsPlus 72, Boulevard St-Georges, 1202 Geneva TutorsPlus tutor will partner with schools and families to help with homework support, exam preparation, study skills, intensive revision courses or with support in transitioning between different educational systems. TutorsPlus also have experts in dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learning challenges and provide experienced special needs assessment and tuition.

A tutor from TutorsPlus will help your child achieve their best, by motivating and enabling them to fulfill their potential. By creating a bespoke learning plan for each individual student, a

See website for TutorsPlus education consultancy: professional guidance on the right choices for families arriving in Switzerland.

Ecolint T : +41 (0) 22 787 24 00 // www.ecolint.ch Founded in 1924, the International School of Geneva (Ecolint) is the oldest and largest international school in the world. Our school is a not-for-profit foundation whose mission is to provide the local and international communities with a high quality international education. We prepare our students for the International Baccalaureate, the Swiss maturité, the IGCSE and the Diplôme national du brevet. Ecolint has three campuses: La Grande Boissière and Campus des Nations in Geneva, and La Châtaigneraie in Vaud. They vary in their

location, their environment and their character, but they share the same objectives and values. Each student is welcomed to the school with a respect for their personal and cultural identity and is offered an education which allows them to develop their abilities to their highest potential. Through our English, French and dual language programmes on our three campuses, we prepare our 4,300 students to be part of an international community based on mutual understanding, respect and shared humanitarian values.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

schools & summer camps

TutorsPlus has highly qualified and experienced tutors offering support to Primary and Secondary school students, in both English and French (IB Diploma, including TOK & Extended Essay, the MYP and PYP programmes, IGCSEs, A Levels, Common Entrance, Swiss Maturité, French Baccalaureate, plus SAT, AP, GMAT, SSAT, PSAT, ISEE).

Ipad classes : An apple a day by George Powell

Back in my day, writing a rude word using the numbers on your Texas Instruments calculator was about as high tech as you could get in class. Things have certainly changed at one school in Geneva, where students have been using iPads in classrooms for the last two years. Is this the future of learning? I spent a morning at the Institut International de Lancy to find out just how much learning a sixth grade class can really do on an iPad. Two years ago the Institut International de Lancy became the first one to one iPad school in Switzerland, meaning that every student, from primary school and up was given an iPad, taught how to use it- for more than just playing Angry Birds-and now considers the iPad an essential tool for learning. I sat in on Mrs Sallier’s year 6 geography lesson on a snowy Friday morning in December. At first glance the classroom seemed fairly normal. Kids sat around in slippers, pictures on the wall and a teacher at the front, taking her students through some of Switzerland’s geographical features on the white board. I have a feeling the pupils had been told to be on their best behaviour as they politely raised their hands and answered questions. It wasn’t until one little boy fell off his chair that the silence was broken, and we all had a laugh. I was relieved to see that even though they hadn’t seen this on Youtube, kids nowadays still found this kind of thing funny. Looking around the classroom I spotted several tell-tale signs that this was in fact an iPad class. The official iPad rules on the whiteboard, swarming masses of iPad chargers in the corner and of course the iPads themselves scattered clumsily across the tables. After Mrs Sallier’s introduction, the students returned to their desks and used an iPad program called Skitch which lets you add arrows, shapes and text to existing images, in this case to point out key features on a landscape. The second half of the class was spent using good ol’ fashioned coloured pencils and paper as they worked on more diagrams. At the end of the class students saved their work on the common drive for Mrs. Sallier to take a look at later.

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iPads are still a fairly new thing in IIL’s classrooms as the pioneering project is in its second year. Like all new things there were some kinks to be ironed out and I asked Mrs. Sallier what some of the challenges were for her as a teacher.

Previously I had never used an iPad before so I had to change my way of teaching. There are plenty of new apps to get the hang of and we did have a fair amount of training. With the level the children are at here, they use it in an intuitive way so they often know as much as, or more than the teacher does. It’s important to be comfortable with the fact that sometimes you’ll be learning at the same time as the children. Sometimes things do go wrong, but we sit down together and figure it out. One thing is for sure, the students seemed to like using them, not just because they could choose their own screensavers and desktop images, but also because it means they don’t have to carry around loads of heavy books. They seemed to be pretty switched on to the fact their iPads were for school work only and were more than aware that a new system in place lets teachers monitor what’s going on, on each individual iPad. It’s not all work and no play though as one little girl told me: One time last year, I finished my work early and was allowed to research pictures of cute animals and moustaches. Some of the advantages of using an iPad over pen and paper is that data is available at all times, at home and at school; it’s not as easily lost or damaged and drafting work tends to be quicker since changes can be made to a document multiple times without needing to rewrite the entire document.

Adrian Hurst is a science teacher and the iPad “wizard” at IIL. He trains the teachers, students and parents in using and managing their iPads. Most teachers around the world are used to being the controller in the classroom and having all the knowledge. They are used to having the students ask them how to do things. All of a sudden the tables have turned in a very interesting and positive way which has forced our teachers to revaluate their position in the classroom and share the knowledge with the students rather than be the all-knowing, master teacher. In terms of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in school, iPads certainly have a particular place in a classroom but the last thing we want here is to find students glued to a screen instead of embracing every aspect of education. The skills the students are learning are indispensable though. When our graduates apply for jobs in the future and are asked if they can cope with ICT systems, they will sit back and smile, knowing they have been using iPads since they were seven. I have no doubt that iPads and similar tools will become more and more commonplace in schools and judging by how the first two years have gone at IIL I would say that’s a good thing. Staying on top of and ahead of ever changing technology seems to be the name of the game and IIL students are doing just that, and from what I’ve seen iPads are an excellent learning tool in school. In my humble and relatively technophobic opinion though most young people these days are pretty good with high-tech stuff regardless of whether or not they use it every day in the classroom. Will using a tablet at school really put you at much of an advantage in the job market? Well, we’ll have to check back in a few years and see how our little class of sixth graders got on.

Top Five applications for sixth grade iPad users by Mrs. Clara Sallier

01 Safari The breadth of information available on the internet means the children can collect detailed information from a variety of sources, as well as learning about the reliability of sources at the same time. We often put links on our Year 6 website (Google Sites) so rather than searching at random, they are directed towards specific pages that we have checked. They can then use note-taking skills and ensure they reference back to the sites where they found the information.

02 Keynote We have used Keynote on the iPads a lot this year so children can create and structure their own research presentations. This is a great tool for the classroom as they present to their peers with many benefits over “pen and paper” methods. They can add photos, video links and sounds as they practise their speaking and listening skills at the same time.

03 Pages We have used the templates available to create posters for Science and History this year using the Pages app. The finished results are excellent however we still use the traditional “pen and paper” poster methods too.

04 Skitch We are starting to use Skitch, which is a photo annotation app, for lessons like Geography. The app is easy to use and very visual as well as being fun. The overall effect is clearer and more colourful than if the children had a printed photo in their books which they then had to label and annotate. They can also adjust and erase annotations as they go. Rather than photocopying the text for each child, we can upload the document onto the server, children can download it onto their iPads and do the annotations on there and “send” their work back to us via the server.

05 Popplet Popplet is a mind map app to “brainstorm” ideas and organise them in order to structure creative writing. You can use colour-coding and insert pictures. We also have an Apple mind map app on the iPads , called iThoughts , but Popplet is very child-friendly and intuitive.

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geneva english school T : +41 (0) 22 755 18 55 // www.geschool.ch // admin@geschool.ch Geneva English School, Rte de Malagny 36, CP40, 1294 Genthod, GE.

schools & summer camps

Geneva English School provides a wonderful learning environment for boys and girls aged 4 to 11, on a site overlooking Lake Geneva towards Mont Blanc.

academic expectations and an exciting ongoing development of expressive arts and sport. Individual personal development of all pupils is of great importance.

The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum but with a strong French Department. French is taught throughout the week to all age groups. It is a small and ambitious school, a very friendly and caring community with high

Other recent developments have seen us reduce the numbers in each class and add additional classes. We have a new building opening in April 2013F which will increase our range of facilities.

Haut lac Internatonal School T : +41 (0) 21 925 40 00 // www.haut-lac.ch The Haut Lac International School in Vevey caters for children from 3 to 18 years old. The school has a mix of local Swiss children and others from all over the world and follows an academically rigorous, student centred programme in both English and French. The school mixes the best practices from the Anglophone and Francophone national systems. The secondary campus works towards the Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programmes, leading to the IB Diploma. Many students continue

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their studies at prestigious colleges and universities throughout the world. The Haut Lac International School promotes an international outlook and bilingualism in all learning activities. The school challenges and encourages children to reach their full potential â&#x20AC;&#x201C; academically and socially and has a wide range of extracurricular sporting, creative and charitable activities. Haut-Lac aspires to build character required to become responsible global citizens.

CHANTEMERLE WWW.CHANTEMERLE.CH

1. Focus on vocabulary and language development

2. Promote content-based teaching with Sciences and History of Arts as learning vehicles 3. Apply innovative strategies to improve the studentʼs learning skills 4. Weekly evaluations After class activities include : sports, talent show and circus, various workshops, excursions and visits. Trips to Europa-Park in Germany (2 days) are proposed 3 times during the summer. Fees are all inclusive (tuition, full board, transports and all activities including Europa-Park).

camp nendaz T.+41 (0) 27 398 48 53 // WWW.CAMPNENDAZ.COM Since 2002, Viamonde has provided international schools and families with the highest quality, fully-supervised, ski and outdoor education programmes in Switzerland. Viamonde’s new international summer camp, Camp Nendaz, is located on a sunny plateau in the heart of the Valaisan Alps and offers seven carefully designed camp programmes, allowing parents to choose the two-week camp experience most appropriate for their children. French language, water sports, mountain discovery, tennis and film making are all on offer, but whatever combination of programmes is chosen, fun, adventure

and challenge from morning to lights-out is guaranteed. Nendaz itself is a paradise for all summer activities and offers a safe environment with excellent facilities. Round-the-clock supervision by a team of experienced and caring staff, together with creative and exciting programmes, makes Camp Nendaz a unique summer camp, where children can express their individuality, grow in self-confidence and develop friendships that will last a lifetime.

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schools & summer camps

Founded in 1966, Chantemerle is a family-owned and independent boarding school located in Blonay overlooking Lake Geneva. From June 30th to August 11th 2013, Chantemerle welcomes boys and girls ages 6 to 16 to learn a new language and spend an unforgettable summer. Students can choose to stay between two to six weeks and study either French or English as a foreign language (DELF and Cambridge programs, 24 hours per week). The following teaching principles are applied:

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les ateliers de comédie musicale de genève T : +41 (0) 22 361 03 11 // www.acmgeneve.ch // www.aicomsuisse.com

schools & summer camps

Have you a theatrical itch that needs scratching? Then the ‘Ateliers de Comédie Musicale de Genève’ is the place for you. The school will teach you all you need to know about musical theatre. If you’d like to be a singer, dancer, or an actor then the ACMGE could make your dreams come true. You can attend their classes throughout the year, which are open to all ages, including adults. During the school holidays the ACMGE run day camps in Geneva and Divonne.

from March until the end of June. The ACMGE are putting on “Une histoire dans le West Side” – an adaptation from the West Side Story, “Les Misérables” and “Mamma Mia”, during their summer camps. If you want to take your skills to the next level, you can join the AICOM School in Geneva to get a professional qualification just like the one in Paris.

Join them and see various concerts and stage performances

MY SWISS CAMP www.myswisscamp.com My Swiss Camp has been running high quality camps since 1987. They cater for students all over the world and have programmes in English, French and German. The packages are all inclusive – meals, accommodation, lessons, activities, excursions and adventure sports are included in the price, apart from Rafting and Europa Parc. My Swiss Camp has something for everyone. They offer rafting, horse-riding, tennis, go-karting, sailing, drama courses, photography and much more. There are regular trips to Aquaparc and Europa Parc.

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There’s also a new course this year - for young entrepreneurs perfect for the budding businessman or woman. The staff at My Swiss Camp are all highly trained, enthusiastic and friendly. They understand what’s needed to make sure the students have fun – but also to learn respect and tolerance, and understanding that their actions have consequences.

Simply theatre T : +41 (0) 22 860 05 18 // www.simplytheatre.com - Our workshops are open to students, current and new, aged between 7 and 17 years, every week of the Summer. - Workshops run daily Monday – Friday from 9.00am - 4.00pm and cost CHF565 per week. Book your place now and make sure you don’t miss out on an exciting summer at Simply Theatre Academy!

VILLAGE CAMPS T : +41 (0) 22 990 94 00 // www.villagecamps.com Village Camps has been a provider of fantastic summer camp experiences for more than 40 years and will continue with the same dedication to make each child’s summer better than the last! At the College de Terre Sainte in Coppet, the ever popular Village Day Camp provides a wonderful environment for 4-14 year olds to participate in a range of sports & activities, expand their skill base, grow socially through new friendships, increase their self-confidence and improve their French or English. The welfare and safety of each camper is our top priority and this is

reflected in the enviable Counselor-Camper ratio of 1:6. Staff members are well-trained, assuring that your child is safe and comfortable at all times. Village Camps also organizes international residential camps in Switzerland and 5 other countries with well-structured programmes focused on languages, sports, the arts and leadership training. With a happy camper comes a happy and worried-free parent, so join us this summer!

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schools & summer camps

Simply Theatre Academy is the number one English-speaking drama school in Switzerland, providing quality theatrical training and experiences for all ages and abilities. This summer throughout July and August, we are offering students a wider variety of entertaining workshops than ever before. The workshops are led by prestigious theatre practitioners, specialising in acting, vocal coaching, choreography, movie making and stage combat, to name but a few. Students will discover key components of an actor’s training, meet new friends and develop valuable life skills to take them well beyond the stage!

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SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM WWW.JULIE-MUSIC.COM - JULIE@JULIE-MUSIC.COM JULY 1-12, GENEVA ENGLISH SCHOOL, GENTHOD Two weeks of music, art, dance, drama and fun! For students aged 4-16.

schools & summer camps

You will soon be hearing new songs and dramatic lines as the children burst with enthusiasm at the end of a day filled with new activities and experiences. The wide ranging musical experience includes music fundamentals, hands-on lecture demonstrations, playing of instruments and singing. Dramatic excitement awaits as the students proudly present their fabulous musical show on

the last day, complete with sets and costumes. This year we will present “Of Mice and Mozart” — so if you ever thought about being a mouse in the corner with a view into the Mozart family’s dramatic, and often hilarious, life don’t miss it! Students need not play an instrument to participate. Classes and ensembles are divided up by age and level. With a fully qualified teaching staff and a team of dynamic assistants you can rest assured that your children will be well cared for and integrate quickly. After-camp care is available.

ALTITUDE CAMPS T : +41 (0) 79 530 52 24 // www.altitude-camps.com - info@altitude-camps.com Verbier, Switzerland Altitude International Camps is located in the prestigious Swiss resort of Verbier in the heart of the Swiss Alps. With a choice of camps, during their stay, children are offered the opportunity to concentrate on specific types of activities such as language lessons or mountain adventures during the mornings whilst enjoying a balanced program of sports, group activities and local excursions in the afternoons and evenings. Accommodation is in 4* chalets, with a maximum of 50 children on each camp. Groups and classes are small and taught in

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English - the majority of camp staff are native English speakers. The aim of the camp is to provide a positive arena for children to learn, laugh and build confidence. They are offered life-changing adventures and lifelong friendships to encourage personal growth, inspire self-confidence and develop teamwork.

les Elfes international T : +41 (0) 27 775 35 90 // www.leselfes.com For more than 25 years the experienced and dynamic teams at Les Elfes International have been hosting children and young adults at exciting winter and summer camps in the Swiss Alps. Up in Verbier, Les Elfes welcomes young campers from all over the world from the ages of 7-17.

And if that’s not enough there are clubs to join, including cooking, dance, art, photography, orienteering, acting and music.

BERLITZ kids & teens camps T : +41 (0) 43 388 83 12 // www.berlitz.ch // kidscamps@berlitz.ch Berlitz Kids and Teens Camps offer the perfect combination of communicative language learning and stimulating activities. Lessons are every morning with small groups, around 6 to 10 participants and then in the afternoons the kids can choose from a wide choice of workshops and sporting activities – specifically designed for their age. Activities include horse riding, dancing, sailing, surfing, tennis, photography, cooking and much more. All the activities are in the language the kids are learning. In the Family Camp, parents can get involved too, if they wish.

Adults and kids learn a language separately in the mornings and there are joint programmes in the afternoons. There’s also a dedicated teens camp which focuses on the specific needs of those aged from 12-17. Topics discussed include lifestyle, travel, culture, theatre and more. A highlight is the Junior Leadership Training course. Here the focus is not just on the language, but preparing teens for the challenges of life. The camp is held in English.

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schools & summer camps

In summer 2013, Les Elfes introduces brand new programs, designed specifically for 3 different age groups, the Discovery Camp for kids from 7-10, the Explorer Camp for those 11-13 and the Pioneer Camp for 14-17.

The language lessons (French, English, Spanish or German) in the mornings ensure a high degree in learning. In the afternoons, the kids choose from a variety of sports activities, such as mountain biking, tennis, rock climbing, paragliding, wakeboarding and much more. Cultural excursions to Swiss major cities and attractions are also on the agenda.

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All Special Kids www.allspecialkids.org

schools & summer camps

ASK - All Special Kids - is a support organization that assists families of children with special needs and learning differences. The organisation was formed as a response to the lack of support available in the local area. ASK summer camp in Geneva, in its seventh year, is especially designed for kids who need a little extra help with learning study skills and social skills infused with fun activities and facilitated by trained specialists, teachers and caring helpers.

ASK believe that all kids – no matter what their needs – deserve the same dignity and respect and should all be treated equally. ASK is able to help in a variety of different issues. With a wide knowledge base, ASK has helped over 3,000 families – either on a volunteer basis, or sometimes with a fee. Their motto is simply: just ASK – we are here to help.

swiss french school T : +41 (0)22 738 00 20 // www.swissfrenchschool.ch The Swiss French School is a practical, fun and flexible way to improve your French. You’ll learn in a motivating and dynamic environment with an emphasis on real world communication – you’ll learn ‘Real French, Real Fast’. The school is in the heart of Geneva – just a quick walk from Cornavin station. The team is highly trained and very friendly. They also realise that you have a busy life and can work around your travel schedule or family commitments and everything else you have going on in your life.

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The Swiss French School also has intensive programmes for those with urgent goals and a brief timeslot. The teachers will first get to know you and your specific needs and will adapt courses just for you. There are classes throughout the day from 9am to 8:30pm – and on Saturday morning.

emae - schs the school of corporate hospitality www.emae-schs.ch art of managing one’s self-image. It is a combined force of theory provided by selected teachers or professionals and field experience of hospitality services via corporate internships. The school’s program enables you to develop unique competences in direct relation with the reality of the business world. Take the Step. Give yourself the means to succeed ! Bank on your future with our Training ! You can sign up now for the start of the Fall Semester.

www.

.ch

022/788 10 10

211 Route de Ferney Le Grand Saconnex

Bus

Arrêt : P+R P47

haute école de gestion www.hesge.ch/heg The Geneva School of Business Administration is the largest management school in western Switzerland. It is the region’s only school that offers an International Business Managment course taught entirely in English. It offers bachelors and masters qualifications recognised by the Swiss Confederation and conforming to the Bologna accords. The courses bring together innovation, ethics and sustainable development and concentrates on practice – students learn from real world examples.

The school’s professors design lessons that reflect market needs and respond to the problems encountered by businesses and governments. The Geneva School of Business Administration is the answer to your professional needs. You will receive a university level education and we will help you open more doors in the professional world.

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schools & summer camps

The School of Corporate Hospitality Services is a brand new training centre in Grand Saconnex in Geneva. It provides a grounding to join the Excellence of Corporate Hospitality, and passes on the necessary tools to jump start or re-launch your career. The EMAE – SCHS’ program is cut on the current Business world and enables future students to access a quality education that includes courses of hospitality, assisting others, the knowledge to answer clients’ needs, languages such as French, German, English, Italian and/or Spanish as well as the

THE PUBLIC GOOD

Education specialist Denise Nickerson has a look at French and Swiss public schools

Public Schools in France and Switzerland: How do they compare? The public schools in both Switzerland and France can provide a solid educational foundation for your child. The French system is a national one, and the Swiss system is more locally driven, with mandates coming from the Cantons (though the Swiss system of higher education is nationalized). Neither system is “better” than the other – but one may be better for your family. In border areas around Lac Léman, one of the advantages in both systems is the student population. In this part of the world, even the public schools are full of impressive cultural, linguistic, and nationality diversity. Kids here have ample opportunity to connect across cultures on the playground and during their lessons. Internationals in the region should consider what is right for their family when deciding between the two systems. Length of expected stay as well as potential future moves can be important factors. Globally, it may be easier to continue schooling in the French system as there are over 800 French schools outside of France and only about 20 Swiss schools outside of Switzerland. The two most striking differences between FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

the systems are academic testing for Swiss students after elementary school (there is no tracking in France at age 12) and pathways to higher education – the choices are more limited in France upon completion of secondary school.

on teamwork and socialization than preacademic or academic work. Options for lunch at school and longer school hours vary widely depending on the village – something to investigate before renting or buying a home.

Early Childhood Education: What happens before primary school?

What is the school year like? The school day?

In France, families have the option to send their children to pre-school for three years prior to elementary school. With a January first birthday cutoff date for enrollment, this means that a child could potentially be enrolled in public school before the age of 3. These three years of école maternelle provide a social and academic preparation for primary school and include the option (for working parents) of children staying at school for a hot lunch, attending only in the morning, or attending for the full school day.

In France, for younger children, school begins at 8h30 and the morning session ends at 11h20. The lunch and play period is long, lasting until 13h30. The school day ends at 16h30. Children do not attend school on Wednesdays in preschool and elementary school (up to age 11); however, there may be some changes to the weekly school schedule for younger children as early as September 2013 (adding in Wednesday morning classes). Children currently only attend school 144 days per year. Teachers of younger children also have hours built into their contracts for individual and small group assistance, which often takes place (for students who need academic support) during the long lunch break.

In Switzerland, preschool is available for two years prior to elementary school and there is usually a summer birthday cutoff date for initial enrollment. In some cantons preschool is optional and in others one or two years of preschool are required. Swiss preschool programs tend to focus more

In Switzerland, pick-up and drop-off times are highly variable and do not always

fewer students attempt the academic high school exit exams because they followed a vocational school track after elementary school. Access to Higher Education

Elementary & Middle School Education match those of older siblings. The school day generally begins some time between 8h00 and 8h45 and ends between 14h45 and 16h00 throughout preschool and elementary school. Students usually attend school four (preschool) or five (elementary) days a week but there is no general rule as local schools set the timetable. In both countries, students have full and varied schedules including choice of subjects starting in middle school. In secondary school, teachers are generally not available outside of their teaching hours and they do not always teach in the same classroom. By the end of secondary school, it is possible to have classes meeting or exams scheduled into the early evening. What about teacher compensation? In both France and Switzerland, the teachers have a lot to be happy about. Swiss public school teachers are among the best paid in the world, keeping company with Luxembourgian and German teachers. They also have the possibility to earn more as their careers progress through merit and seniority. French public school teachers, though they earn less, have excellent working conditions and benefits (and lots of vacation days). The French Education Nationale is the largest single employer in the country. Teachers earn points in a military-like ranking system and have priority choice of location for their assignments as their careers advance.

In France, children attend elementary school for five years (equivalent to 1st -5th grade in the American system). They have homework most weeknights as soon as they begin the first year of elementary school. All students who finish elementary school go on to middle school. Middle school is known as collège in France, which can be confusing to those of us from the UK or the USA! It lasts for four years, completing the cycle of obligatory schooling. In Switzerland, six years of primary school and three years of middle school are compulsory. Unlike the French system, at the end of primary school there is academic testing to determine which middle school curriculum will be available to children as they move ahead in their schooling. Swiss middle school is known as lower-secondary school and it lasts for three years. There are both academic and vocational tracks available to students. High School Students in the French system specialize in terms of subject areas and academic stream at around age 15, a few years later than those in Switzerland. Both countries have rigorous high school exit exams for students who follow an academic track.

One of the biggest differences in the French and Swiss systems is the scope of higher education options available to high school graduates. In France, if a student wants to attend university or a high-level specialized school (like a national institute of politics or an engineering school) then s/ he must finish high school on an academic track with a Baccalauréat. In Switzerland, though access to university and specialized studies is more direct with an academic Matura diploma (known as the Maturité in Suisse Romande), students can still study at university nationwide or even the EPFL (a top engineering and scientific university) with a professional or vocational high school diploma. Higher Education Both countries provide state-subsidized, extremely affordable higher education for those lucky enough to be accepted. Entrance to university and other tertiary institutions relies heavily on exam results (Baccalauréat, Maturité). Extracurricular activities and personal statements are almost never considered for university entrance in the French and Swiss state systems. Choosing one system over the other involves a variety of considerations – and the most important one is making sure the system is the best fit for the child. Denise Nickerson Co-author of Know-it-all passport®’s Education Guide Switzerland (2012), Denise is a mother, writer, educational consultant, and guidance counselor living on the French – Swiss border. info@allegoryhouse.com denise@knowitall.ch www.knowitall.ch For further reading Going Local: Your Guide to Swiss Schooling, (2012) by Margaret Oertig.

In 2012, 84.5% of those who attempted the French Baccalaureate succeeded. In Switzerland, in 2012, over 94% of those who attempted the Matura succeeded – and the worst results were in the canton of Valais. Compared to France, in Switzerland,

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au pair! 42

Taking on an au pair should be a win-winwin situation; the parents get much needed help, the kids get an older sister and the au pair gets the see new places with a bit of spEnding money. It’s not always plain sailing though and there is plenty to consider before packing your bags and hopping on a plane, as Kassy O’Connor found out...

by kassy o’connor

Kassy O’Connor is originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands. She is a qualified nurse who has spent the last five years travelling the world and has worked as an au pair in France, Italy and Switzerland. Kassy recently returned to the Channel Islands from Geneva and now works at Jersey General Hospital.

o I decided to leave the comforts of my parents’ couch and travel but realised I didn’t have enough money to bum around hostels in Europe, camp in the Australian bush, or drive route 66 solo. My saving grace was the option to become an au pair. Au pairing is the perfect opportunity to travel to any country, visa permitting, and experience a new culture, language and meet new people. What I didn’t realise was that despite being handed a free place to stay with an all you can eat buffet from the families’ kitchen cupboards, I was also being handed the huge responsibility of looking after someone else’s children, and in one case, the incompetent parents too. Before you rush off and buy the cheapest plane ticket to some back-alley country, you need to make sure you pick the right family for you. The best way to start searching for your new host family is to register with an agency for a small fee. However, for someone as broke as most post-pubescent adolescents after a weekend, pay-day booze up, the quicker option is to just sign up to a free website and the dream of sipping espressos in the shadow of the Eiffel tower in Paris on someone else’s tab is already slightly closer. You need to know what you’re capable of dealing with, whether that be a child with special needs, a single parent family or an active family with 12 children. Remember to be completely honest in your applications. I thought that the better my profile looked the more FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

options I would have to decide where I really wanted to go, but once I started in my new job in this fantastic new city that I’d always wanted to visit, I could have done almost anything for a cigarette and glass of wine. Alas, the girl on my profile didn’t drink or smoke. The exact same goes for the family. If you need someone to drive your children to school or be up at 6am on a Sunday morning to change the baby, maybe it’s not the best idea to advertise for a young adolescent who is clinging on to the last of their teen years and who you think will find the nearest local bar within the first hour of the plane landing. For some au pairs it is the first time they have ‘flown the coop’ and as exciting as it is to be away from your parents, you’re about to head into the big, bad world where you have to cook not only your own meals and do your own laundry (yes ovens don’t make food magically appear and clothes don’t wash themselves) but you also have to do other people’s laundry too...Unless you’re fortunate enough to find a family with a maid already. To avoid any problems in this area, my new future faux parents and I created what I could loosely call a contract regarding days off for me, nights off for them, my monthly salary and so on. I highly recommend doing so for both sides, so there’s no nasty surprises. This way the family also know to what extent you’re willing to help them with things such as housework. Remember, you’re not a maid nor a chef and, as a

note to any potential host family, you’re not hiring Mary Poppins either. If you care for children, and probably should if you’re considering au pairing, then it’s difficult to not instantly love your new little ‘brothers’ or ‘sisters’ and want to spend some of your free time with them anyway. Most families will offer you the option to join them on family trips at the weekend or a meal out in a swanky restaurant, and a good family will show you around the city and possibly introduce you to other au pairs in the area. The less time you want to spend with them and the more you are watching the clock for the minute you finish, is probably a sign that you should find a different family. The biggest reward that comes from au pairing, in many au pair’s opinions, is seeing the children happy and enjoying their time with you, their new big ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ and vice versa. For the parents it’s also a huge relief that they have someone there who they can trust to take over responsibility when they need a break from time to time. Never forget that at some point you will leave the family to further your travels, possibly go back home to reality and continue where you left off either working or studying, or just back to the couch where you started. The easiest way, in my opinion, to soften this heartache is to communicate regularly with the children and with the parents, and gently remind them that you are just there until

they are more grown up and don’t need as much help from you anymore, but that you will be there in the future, to hear what Santa got them for Christmas or how much they got from the Tooth Fairy for their first tooth. As a parent in the host family, this is where you’ll be needed most too. Keeping in touch with the au pair afterwards is also a nice reminder for the children that the au pair hasn’t been abducted by aliens after they left. The younger they are the less likely they are to understand that they can’t keep you forever as much as you’d love to stay too. My host family organised a transition period where I spent one week with the previous au pair and the children. It was a great way to get tips on dodging tantrums, favourite snacks and fun games the kids liked. It was also how I met a lot of new people and the ‘lets try not to get deported’ games began. I think au pairing is an experience in itself, try and be more prepared than I was for my first time and it won’t all go completely ‘Pete Tong’. Each family is a whole different challenge (the most challenging part is not always the children either) but at the end you’ll always believe you’re now the most cultured person in the world because you’ve left your country for the first time and you learnt a new word or two in a language your friends can’t speak - well done you!.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

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pickwicks www.mrpickwick.ch The Pickwick pub is the oldest ‘English’ pub in Geneva. It’s still today one of the main social centres for the ex-pat crowd and tourists to the city – for many it’s a home away from home. The Pickwick shows all the big sporting events on a variety of screens all around the pub – so you’re guaranteed a good view – there’s also live music in the evenings and great ‘pub grub’ including fully loaded burgers and great curry – all served throughout the day.

The Pickwick has a wide choice of beer on tap and separate bar areas depending on your mood – for a more relaxed drink, try out the Lounge Bar. The bars can also be rented out for private events. The Pickwick is open every day till late and is ideally located just a short walk from the train station.

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affordable?

Without the United Nations it’s safe to say Geneva would be just another provincial city with a pretty fountain. But as it stands, the identities of Geneva and the UN are closely intertwined. The city’s unique international feel is in a large part down to the nine and half thousand UN staff members who live and work in and around the city. The strength of the Swiss franc however has caused some to question if Geneva is still the best place for the UN’s largest duty station. George Powell has been asking around... While I was at university in the UK I worked at a Mexican themed cocktail bar. One evening, after a particularly long shift, my boss asked me why I’d grown up in Geneva? Like many of my friends from school, I told her it was because my dad worked for the United Nations. If my answer confused her a bit, her reply certainly caught me off-guard:

“What’s that then?” You’d be hard pressed to find someone in Geneva who didn’t know what the UN is, with close to 10,000 people working for it and its various organisations. If you add to that another 20,000 working for the city’s NGOs and permanent missions, International Geneva is a force to be reckoned with. In fact the city has never had this many people working for International Geneva with the latest figures showing a 3.5% increase from 2011 to 2012 and International Geneva now making up one job out of ten in the Canton. Like an industrial town with one factory or coal mine that employs most of the people, everyone in Geneva knows someone who works for the UN. While some argue that Geneva can be expensive and dull at times, I think most people agree that Geneva is a pretty decent place to live and work. According to a survey by the Canton of Geneva from 2009, 90% of people working for the UN and other international organisations think Geneva offers a good quality of life and 60% said they felt safe here. Admittedly, things do seem to have taken a turn for the worse over the last FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

two years, with crime and street violence on the rise and a few high profile cases- like the UN diplomat’s son who was attacked after a night out- adding to feeling that “Genève c’etait mieux avant”. However, according to the human resource consulting firm Mercer, who compile annual city rankings, Geneva was the 6th safest place to live 2012. Compared to many of the possible UN duty stations those are pretty good figures and few will argue Geneva is a bad place to live. So if you’re the kind of UN staff member who’d rather be skiing on the weekends than slumming it at a refugee camp then Geneva is right for you. But is Geneva still right for the UN? Switzerland’s famous neutrality made it the obvious choice for the UN’s predecessor, the League of Nations, as leaders scrambled to get things back on track at the end of the First World War. A century or so on and siting the UN’s headquarters in one of the world’s most expensive cities with one of the strongest currencies might not make as much sense as it once did. As it stands though Geneva remains the largest UN duty station with more staff here than New York, that’s according to Corinne MomalVanian who is the director of the information service at the UN in Geneva. The strength of the Swiss franc, however, has certainly increased costs for the UN and its agencies in Switzerland, most significantly because of its staff members’ salaries. The majority of contributions come

from countries whose own budgets are made up in Dollars or Yen or Euros, but salaries here are paid out in Swiss francs: and it’s no secret that UN salaries are quite nice. Corinne MomalVanian thinks the strength of the franc is only a short term issue. “The strength of the Swiss franc has strained our budget somewhat and has been an issue but you have to look at this in the long term. There have been times when the Dollar or the Euro have been stronger so the strength of the franc really is just a short term issue.” For now though, receiving budgets in Dollars and paying salaries in francs isn’t doing the UN any favours in terms of keeping staff costs to a minimum. Aside from the beefy salaries most of professional grade UN staff get 70% of their children’s international school fees paid, tax breaks and home leave, and that’s just at the basic level. Once you reach the P5 grade you get diplomatic status which means tax free fuel, diplomatic number plates, bigger salaries and of course, arguably the most important privileged of all: access to the duty free diplomat store (which has been keeping international school students well stocked with alcohol and cigarettes for years). Olivier Coutau is the delegate to International Geneva and the city’s senior official in charge of international organisations. He argues that having all the UNs organisations based in one city outweighs the currency issues.

UNAIDS

WHO

UNESCO

ILO

UNITED NATIONS UNICEF WIPO

UNHCR WMO

“The advantage of being based in Geneva, isn’t the view of the mountains, it’s the number of global players that have a permanent presence UNEP here and the fact that that all global issues are dealt with within the city. If you start to move part of this network outside of Geneva you lose these advantages and synergy. You might save a few francs on salaries but you will lose even more in efficiency.” Ask anyone at the UN or any one of its agencies for a list of advantages of being based in Geneva and many will agree with Mr. Coutau and say the convenience that comes with proximity is a massive advantage. If you were to stand on top of the broken chair on the Place des Nations and spin around 360° I think you could catch a glimpse of most of the city’s UN organisation buildings. Being able to coordinate, or at least have coffee, with your colleagues from other organisations by simply hopping on a bus is a major advantage. Corinne Momal-Vanian agrees: “More and more within the UN system we have to work across agencies and because there is such a critical mass in Geneva, it allows us to work effectively and efficiently.” No one is currently suggesting moving the UN out of Switzerland; however several of its agencies have already begun moving individual departments out of country in order to save on salaries. The World Health Organisation for example moved its HR department to Malaysia back in 2008 and more recently the UNHCR opened an Information and Communications Technology service center in Jordan moving a part of their IT workforce outside of Geneva. Ed Flaherty is a lawyer and senior partner in the Swiss law firm Schwab. He has spent many years representing UN staff members and feels

that the United Nations headquarters should be nearer the people that need the help:

“Having the UN headquarters in Geneva is a ridiculous and outrageous expense.” The headquarters should be where the UN’s main clients are - PR Congo, Palestine, Burma, China etc. Siting the headquarters in the world’s most expensive cities like Geneva, New York or Vienna not only costs a great deal, but also sets up a number of perverse knock-on effects. No one wants to go to the field once their families are established in such places and programs and initiatives are manipulated around keeping staff and salaries there. It also attracts a certain type of staff member who otherwise would never take a job in the PR Congo or Palestine or Burma. That is not a good thing in my opinion.” According to Corinne Momal-Vanian however, increasing mobility is something the current Director General, Ban Ki Moon is keen on: “Most of our activities are in the field so we need people in places that are not always very pleasant to live and Ban Ki Moon wants people to rotate more. People from headquarters need to spend time in the field and likewise, people from the field need to come to headquarters. The DG is set on increasing mobility, both to and from Geneva but also in more general terms. It’s clear that Geneva isn’t the cheapest of duty stations and at the moment the UN is looking to deliver some of its support services more efficiently. Part of that does mean that at some point we may be moving some of these services away from Geneva because of the financial

context. For now though having all the agencies based in one city and in the same time zone is a huge advantage for Geneva.”

So it looks like the UN will slowly but surely moving some of its support services away from Switzerland where the strong franc has already caused its fair share of damage and contributed to some high profile restructuring, notably downsizing at the World Health Organisation. For now though at least the paths of Geneva and the UN will remain intertwined. International civil servants will continue to enjoy the perks of being based here and the Swiss franc salaries will continue to waste contributor donations. But for how long remains to be seen. Having grown up here in the heart of International Geneva I’ve taken countless visitors on the UN tour, overheard hundreds of UN interns complaining on the bus, sat through press conferences and spent time working within the UN walls. As a result of this familiarity I can’t imagine what the city would be like if all the various organisations packed up shop and moved to economically more sensible regions. But one thing is for sure, I believe Geneva is a more interesting and varied place because of the UN. Is that the point though? Absolutely not. Wasting valuable contributions paying expensive Swiss franc salaries when it should be spent on the people who need it the most is something the UN needs to address and if that means moving support staff outside of Europe then that’s what should happen.. I wouldn’t get comfy just yet… George Powell Follow George on Twitter: @powellgeorge FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

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FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Experience its gastronomic cuisine, musical evenings, wine tastings and unique hospitality. Enjoy all the aspects of a small castle, with private salons and custom-made arrangements for all your events from family christenings and business lunches to birthdays and anniversary celebrations. This Château is worth a thought and a visit. Come and discover the perfect venue for family and business get-togethers, or for the most unforgettable wedding.

FRONTIER TALENT

photography

Redstar

MOLOTOV facebook.com/beatsbymolotov

Molotov is a 27 year old hip-hop producer. He’s spent the last six years working in the music industry both in the UK and Switzerland and he’s this issue’s Frontier Talent. to the outsider, switzerland isn’t a country synonymous with hip hop culture and rap music. is there much of a scene here?

MOLOTOV: You’d think there isn’t a place for hip hop music in Switzerland as we seem to be sandwiched between postcard landscapes, lots of money, cuckoo clocks, cheese and tax avoiding multi nationals....However, the Hip Hop scene in Switzerland is growing every day. People are quick to dismiss Switzerland as a serious sound provider, but there’s some real talent coming up. So I think this view of Switzerland will change. Everyone is stepping their game up and hopefully people will start paying a bit more attention! So the fact that lots of people don’t take it/us seriously gives us that extra push to really show show them what’s going on. you have quite a traditional approach to making your music, with vinyl, turn tables and a sampler. what are your views on the lap top, synthesizer generation making main stream hits at the moment?

MOLOTOV: On that front I’m what you might call a ‘purist’ as I much prefer the sound of crunchy drums and dusty loops

than the squeaky clean synthetic sound. Having said that, it’s not 1993 anymore so I find myself using the laptop every day to treat my sounds and more and more synthesisers are creeping into my productions. Gotta keep with the times!

shared it with anyone and I’m still learning every day. Be open and make connections with like-minded folk

much of your recent success has been over in the uk where people seem more willing to part with their hard earned cash for music. how difficult is it to make a living as a musician in switzerland?

MOLOTOV: I’m listening to Fliptrix’s new LP ‘The Road to the interdimensional Piff Highway’ produced by Runone and myself! available at www.high-focus. com.

MOLOTOV: It’s very hard, Most artists

have to lead a double life. Working during the day to pay the bills and working towards their dreams at night.

Most

kids grow up dreaming of rapping in front of thousands of people, wearing big watches and driving fancy cars. You seem happier making the beats and staying out of the lime light. What would your advice be to any young producers out there?

MOLOTOV: Be original, work hard, experiment and stick to your guns. Learn your craft. I spent years and years perfecting my craft before I

what have you got playing on your ipod at the moment?

what next for molotov?

MOLOTOV I’ve got an exciting year

ahead and you can expect a lot more production work from me this year in the UK and Switzerland. I have an album with local Geneva rapper Jace Abstract coming out, as well as a compilation album that I have been putting together featuring the likes of Roc Marciano, Danny Brown, Planet Asia, Strong Arm Steady, Artifacts and many more! exciting times! www.facebook.com/ beatsbymolotov www.high-focus.com

Want to be the next frontier talent? Write us an e-mail : info@radiofrontier.com FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

EUROPE’S

biggest

PLAYGROUND

The snow has melted and we’ve packed away our skis and snowboards, but this certainly doesn’t mean that the mountains have shut down or closed for the season. There are many ways of discovering the mountains we live so close to. Whether walking, strolling, hiking, ambling, trudging or scrambling, Spring is just the season to do so. This brings a smile to my face and a quickening of the pulse as I realize I live in Europe’s biggest natural playground. This doesn’t mean I treat the mountains disdainfully; quite the opposite, as I stand in awe and wonder, and no little apprehension, at the foot of a peak I plan to climb. I respect the mountains; I respect their beauty, size, magnetism and inherent danger. This makes them all the more alluring. Being in the mountains is a form of escapism for me, and a way of connecting with nature I hope to give you a taste of the emotions that the Alps evoke in me, and provide a guide to a selection of walks, hikes and climbs for people of all ages and disposition, right on our doorstep.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

It is a wonderful environment in which you’re so close to wildlife that ibex, bouqetin and chamois stare at you peacefully, mountain hares and marmots squeak away and golden eagles soar overhead. If you’re a photographer, the mountains offer such glorious vistas that even an amateur like me can produce some pretty good photos. For your hike to be a safe and rewarding adventure, there are a few very simple but important guidelines I strongly advise you to follow. The most important of these is your safety. Don’t underestimate the energy required for your walk. Go at the pace of the slowest member of your group. Always follow the paths and yellow signposts. Check the weather. Be prepared to turn back. Bring the proper footwear, clothing and equipment to keep you warm and dry. Bring a map. Always tell someone of your itinerary before you set out. Bring enough water. Respect the delicate environment, enjoy yourselves and don’t stare at your trudging feet!

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

The Riviera

Le Salève

Useful websites Club Alpin Suisse www.sac-cas.ch/fr/nc.html

Rating : easy Time : 2-4 hours Start // Endpoints : Anywhere from Lutry to Montreux, Vaud. Denivelation : 0-400 meters

Rating : hard Time : 3-5 hours Start // Endpoints : Téléphérique du Salève, France. Denivelation : 850 meters

A wonderful and peaceful walk suitable to everyone, from families with strollers and young children to the more elderly among us. Walk along the shores of the Lac Léman soaking in the views that inspired the Romantic writers Lord Byron and Percy and Mary Shelley. Visit the Château de Chillon, the palaces and palm trees of Montreux or the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Lavaux Vineyards. You can hop on and off the local trains at your convenience and stop at any of the lakeside cafés and restaurants for a well-deserved break. The perfect day out for a multigenerational family.

Hiking up the Grande Gorge is pretty tough and quite hairy during certain passages but it is an immensely satisfying trek. Head into France crossing the Veyrier border and leave your car at the bottom of the téléphérique. Walk towards the back end of the Golf de Bossey where the path snakes up towards the “Big Gully” or Grande Gorge. You can enjoy the views of Geneva from the Rocher de Onze Heure before climbing up the wet and dark Creux du Feu gully to finally summit on the Salève Plateau. From here you can either walk back down, or head to the téléphérique and take the gondola back down.

La Dôle

Les Dents du Midi : Haute Cime

Rating : medium 2* Time : 3-5 hours Start // Endpoints : Couvaloup de StCergue, Vaud. Denivelation : 800 meters

Rating : very tough Time : 24-30 hours Start/Endpoints : Grand Paradis, Champéry, Valais. Denivelation : 4,200 meters

My favourite walk in the Jura. It’s a fun workout with amazing views of the Alps and the Basin Lémanique as your reward. Head directly up the Vuarne between the Barillette and La Dôle until you reach the ridge that heads north up to the top of La Dôle and its big round telecoms transmitter, which you can see from miles around. Enjoy a packed lunch here or loop down the side of the bowl to the Barillette restaurant for a delicious fondue. On a clear day you can see the Matterhorn far away to the east.

This is mountaineering. I suggest that only people in very good physical condition and knowledge of mountaineering attempt this peak. Leave no later than midday and hike through the Forêt de Bonavau until you reach the gorge of the Pas d’Encel. Be very careful here and use the chains as the rock is slippy and the drop is vertiginous. Here you reach the entrance to the Vallon de Susanfe. Continue along the path until you reach the Cabane de Susanfe (where you will have phoned and reserved food and board in advance). That’s day one, the easier of the two days! Early start next morning: make your way to the Col de Susanfe, before the final push. The signposts stop at this point so keep to the path and follow the rock-cairns. You realize why the next stop is called the Col des Paresseux, as the real summit, the Haute Cime, was hidden all along, and being lazy and stopping there does cross your mind. Onwards and upwards though, through the dangerous last section of loose scree and rocks. Reaching the iron cross at the summit produces an amazing combination of joy, relief and pride. But that’s only half your trek, be careful on your way down!

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Fédération Francaise de Randonée www.ffrandonnee.fr/ Summit Post Mountaineering Website www.summitpost.org/

Nathan Hobson Nathan Hobson is a keen mountaineer, photographer and regular contributor to Radio Frontier. Born in Geneva to English parents, he attended the International School before completing a degree in International Relations at the University of London. Having returned to work in the oil industry he is now studying to be a primary school teacher. An active member of the Club Alpin Suisse, he has climbed peaks across the globe.

the Little Gym www.thelittlegym.eu // Rue du Nant 3,1207 Geneva creating more beautiful moments – the Little Gym ensures these moments are the most rewarding. From the ages of 3 to 6 years – lessons start without the mothers present. The children are encouraged to find their own rhythm with stimulation, imagination and joy.

Lessons are tailored for all ages – from 10 to 18 months, children are encouraged to crawl, explore, marvel and discover. From 19 to 29 months the child starts to become more autonomous

And then up to 12 years old, lessons become more complex with fun, non-competitive gymnastics.

genèveroule T : +41 (0) 22 740 14 15 // www.geneveroule.ch Make getting around more pleasurable – and get fit at the same time. With Genèveroule you can rent a bike – including electric bikes – at one of three different shops around the city. You have a choice between a city bike or a mountain bike, children’s bikes or a touring bike and plenty of other choices – choose your favourite. There’s no dispute on how cycling can keep you fit and healthy and it also boosts your mental ability as well.

Genèveroule also works with local businesses to provide bikes for employees – which help your company’s or NGO’s green policies. It can make a big difference on how fast you can get around the city. The whole operation is kept going with those looking for work, asylum seekers, and young people wanting real work experience. They work in the shops, keep the bikes safe and make sure all the bikes are in the right place.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

LEISURE & FITNESS

The Little Gym helps your child to explore their new world. From new-borns to 12 years old, the Little Gym fosters socialisation and curiosity – building on the natural urge that all babies have - to explore. The lessons also work to build the bond between mother and child.

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Gymboree T.+41 (0) 22 920 92 00 // www.gymboree.ch // info.geneva@gymboree.ch

LEISURE & FITNESS

Gymboree is the pioneer and global leader of interactive parent-child play, music and art programs for children aged new born to 5 years. Gymboree also offers non parent participation School Skill classes for children aged 2 to 5 years old. The classes help your child develop those important social skills required to make a successful transition to school. The program instills classroom curiosity and a genuine love of learning. Early literacy skills are established through books, and letter play.

Children build self-confidence, learn cooperation and selfawareness through various activities such as art, imaginary play, tactile time, circle time, playtime, story time and more. During the months of July and August Gymboree fun continues for 3 to 5 years old every morning 9h00 to 12h30. The cost is CHF 65 per morning and you can pick and choose the days and dates you wish. Call now or send an email to book your space.

Growing young minds around the world

Our S for ch old in and a

Schoo

Ages 2–

Informat Gymbore 1218 Gran Email: inf

rainbow play systems T : +41 (0) 22 774 06 57 // www.rainbowplaysystems.ch Conveniently located in Bellevue, Rainbow Play Systems ™ offers a wide selection of top quality swing sets made from North American redwood, red cedar, and Douglas fir manufactured in the U.S. by Rainbow Play Systems, a company that has been building childhood memories for over 25 years and is recognised as “America’s most trusted brand”. Rainbow also carries five models of trampolines from Springfree ™ “the world’s safest trampoline” –featuring a unique fibreglass rod technology. In addition, a wide range of products from Lifetime ™, the world’s leading manufacturer of basketball

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

hoops, are available, including portable and fixed solutions, as well as other garden products from Lifetime, such as tetherball systems, portable soccer goals, storage sheds, and storage boxes. Customers visiting the Rainbow store are invited to inspect, compare, and test the equipment, allowing them to choose the model best suited to their needs. Delivery and assembly services are available on all products.

Golf de la vieille bâtie T : +41 (0) 22 774 35 20 // www.golf-vieille-batie.ch - info@golf-vieille-batie.ch Golf de la Vieille-Bâtie, 1239 Collex-Bossy The club is open to members and non-members 7 days a week and all levels and ages are welcome. You can rent golf trollies, bags, clubs and balls. Why not simply pass by to grab a drink and a tasty snack at the bistro, and then relax on the terrace. Green fees are highly competitive, from CHF 23.- for an adult. The season runs from 15 March - 15 November.

ecole de golf vieille bâtie T : +41 (0) 22 774 35 20 // www.ecolegvb.com The Ecole de Golf de la Vieille-Bâtie welcomes everyone from beginners to those who wish to improve their game. The school has a team of highly qualified trainers and professional players who love golf – and their energy and enthusiasm is infectious. The school will teach kids –starting at 5 years old – take group classes and all the way up to senior citizens. You are assured of top class training as the school is headed by Renaud Guillard, a former European tour player and winner of the Challenge Tour and the Alps Tour.

If you have a strong competitive streak, the Ecole de Golf de la Vieille-Bâtie organises competitions, weekend courses, company contests that are open to all – members and nonmembers. The club is within easy reach of Geneva, close to Versoix and set in beautiful woodland.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

LEISURE & FITNESS

Enjoy a round of golf in the spectacular settings of Collex-Bossy. Within easy reach of Geneva and Nyon the Golf de la VieilleBatie offers extremely good value with unparalleled views of the mountains in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The course is a compact 9 hole par 3 and if you want to improve your game you can practice on the driving range, hone your putting with dedicated greens and perfect your chipping in 2 separate practice areas complete with bunkers.

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harmony T : +41 (0) 22 362 15 62 // www.harmony.ch

LEISURE & FITNESS

Harmony Fitness is a name that has become synonymous with enjoyment and well-being across the region. Each centre boasts of state-of-the-art equipment, expert personal trainers, the latest trends in fitness including Les Mills concepts, Zumba, Cardiovascular training, Strength Training, Pilates and Yoga. At each of the 5 clubs – which you’ll find in Balaxert, La Praille, Signy Centre, Denges and the Blandonnet Business Centre – you can find group classes which ensure you’ll get the best results

out of your limited time. Included in every membership is also a personalised fitness programme which will be updated as your level of fitness improves as well as nutritional advice All clubs also have saunas, some with Jacuzzis and swimming pools. The individual and his or her needs are at the centre of the work philosophy of Harmony. Each visit to a Harmony Club is like a mini-vacation. You’ll feel rejuvenated, energized and relaxed.

private bootcamp T : +41 (0) 78 799 87 22 // www.privatebootcamp.ch // www.privatedietbox.ch Where Private Bootcamp meets gourmet, fresh diet food delivery.

They also offer urban boot camp classes in Geneva, Lucerne and Zurich.

Private Bootcamp offers fitness instruction inspired from military training, nutritional counselling and motivational support packed with fun, energising activities to reach your goals. They hold exclusive, luxury one-week residential bootcamps on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain to kick-start your fitness or weight loss goals and make positive lifestyle changes that last.

Private Bootcamp has now a little sister: Private DietBox, the easy way for fitting a healthy diet into your busy life! You just eat the food and lose the weight. It is not just a diet food delivery company. Private DietBox is a way of life - a healthier you with more time for living.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

bike switzerland T : +41 (0) 78 601 69 57 // www.bikeswitzerland.com 22 Rue des Grottes, 1201, Geneva Make the most of your time in Switzerland! Each year Bike Switzerland helps ordinary people see the country by bike. Whether it’s a guided tour, an independent tour or a simple bike rental, Bike Switzerland helps private individuals and companies to organize it all.

Twice weekly rides as well as various maintenance and performance courses are also organized free of charge beginning March 21st until the end of October. Bike Switzerland prides itself on making everyone feel welcome, so whether you’re a hardcore roadie or someone just starting to bike, the staff will make sure that you feel comfortable.

l’indoor T : +41 (0) 22 732 44 90 // P : +41 (0) 79 964 19 92 // www.lindoor.ch rue de lausanne 80, 1202 genève Improve your golf the easy way. At L’Indoor you can practice your driving, hone your putting skills and play a full game without stepping outside. L’Indoor is a state of the art indoor golf centre. You can use the latest Golfzon simulators equipped with giant screens that accurately reproduce golf courses from around the world.

Throughout the match, computers will analyse your play so you can see where you can improve. A Dartfish machine checks your swing during golf lessons with a pro.

You can play a full game from 1 to 6 players, or stroke play, match play, skin game or nearest to the pin.

L’Indoor has changing rooms for men and women, a holding room for member’s golf bags and free parking.

After the game, you can relax in the bar which also serves lunch and snacks all afternoon. The 19th hole is always open.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

LEISURE & FITNESS

Located behind Cornavin station in “Les Grottes” neighbourhood, the store offers BMC racing bikes, trekking hybrids, full-suspension mountain bikes and Stromer electric bikes for rent. Bikes are bought new each season and sold

used at the end of the year, so the shop is also a good place to buy a bike.

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pole emotion T : + 41 (0) 76 323 89 72 // www.pole-emotion.ch

LEISURE & FITNESS

Get fit in an original and seductive manner – Pole Emotion is a unique dance school for women over 14 years old where you can learn Pole Dancing in all its forms – acrobatic dancing, sensual dancing, striptease, burlesque, cancan and much more.

It builds and trims like no other form of dancing

Pole Emotion can also host your parties – everything from bachelorette to divorce parties. Come and try out and have fun with your friends. Pole Dancing is a perfect way to get fit.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t dance, Pole Emotion offers courses for all levels.

Pole Emotion runs courses in cantons Geneva, Vaud and Valais in 5 different studios. With more than 50 teachers and 100 classes a week you can find a time and a place to suit you.

SB Sport www.sbsport.ch SB Sport Service has been providing top class advice and equipment to all types of sports fans for more than 20 years. The team at SB Sport love their sport and they’re more than happy to share their knowledge and passion. The team will work with you on finding the right equipment and kit you need as you progress in your chosen sport – whether its cycling, football, tennis, running , skiing – or any other sport.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

SB Sport also provides all the equipment for kids. The earlier kids start playing sport – the better it is for their long term wellbeing. SB Sport has everything for kids from 4 years old. Uniquely, SB Sport also organises sport themed children’s birthday parties throughout the year. The kids will be given the chance to develop and improve their skills in their chosen sport with the qualified and competent SB Sport team.

outlet aubonne www.outlet-aubonne.ch “OUTLET AUBONNE is the biggest shopping centre in western Switzerland - with more than 3,000m2 dedicated to sport. You can find Nike Factory Store, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Ochsner Sport Outlet and Soldout Shop – with a wide choice of leading brands. At OUTLET AUBONNE you can find permanent reductions – up to 70%.

You’ll find OUTLET AUBONNE just off the A1 autoroute, 30 minutes from Geneva and 15 minutes from Lausanne; or with public transport to Allaman train station. Open to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

WWW.OUTLET-AUBONNE.CH

SHEzone T : + 41 (0) 79 702 03 19 // www.shezone.ch SHEzone is dedicated to creating opportunities for women to experience outdoor sport activities fitting their lifestyles. Whatever you do, SHEzone have a fitting offer for you. Their hallmark collaborative, engaged & positive approach to physical activity ensures the beginners, as well as the more experienced outdoors women, will benefit. Children are encouraged to take part with activities sharing with their mum so outdoor activities are part of their lives too. SHEzone

has a dedicated MOMMYzone; a leisurely COMFORTzone; a DISCOVERYzone; and an OPENzone where activities can be customized to your needs, including those who are celebrating a special occasion, or who are keen to arrange an activity with like-minded friends. SHEzone is dedicated to supporting women and children to be physically active and they contribute part of their profit to charity involved in physical activity and sports.

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LEISURE & FITNESS

You will also find other great stores to entice you with fantastic bargains – including men’s fashion, lingerie, jewellery and ideas for the modern home.

Always great prices – all year long - with 50 shops you can’t help being spoilt for choice.

o n t ’ h n g i Ai h n i a t n u mo an s e v i g llandl, ing routes o f l u st Pans best cyc a i s u h t o ling een of the regi c y c Localht into som insig

The early morning sun picks out the Jurassic striations and dark green forests, on the south facing escarpment behind: Thoiry; Gex; and Divonne; enhanced by the pinkish light so loved by the “Alpine Tourist Poster” Artists of the last century. On mornings like this, you’ll find me checking my tyre pressures, and wheeling my bike out of the garage; if only, sometimes, in my daydreams. Yes: I’m a cyclist! Most rides, I head for the 10km wide strip, running from Bellegarde to Lausanne; between the first crests of the Jura, and the Leman lakeside. There’s absolutely no reason to head anywhere else! This is cycling heaven, containing some of the world’s best cycling roads; with, to my mind, enough depth and variety of “quality routes” to keep any cyclist happy for a lifetime, regardless of level of fitness or ability. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Cyclists develop an instinct for topography. Looking down this strip of land, we see a sharp escarpment to the north, with its evenly graded cols, and sometimes brutally steep forest roads; this blends seamlessly into the soft-rolling hills of the vineyard region (pushed and formed by massive glaciers during the last great Ice age); running down to the flat rim around Lac Leman (flat only because civilization and its infrastructure follow the water level from village to village). Understanding this shape makes it simple to plan a cycling route with a predictable level of challenge. With the mountains on one side, and the lake on the other: it is pretty easy to get your bearings; even if you don’t habitually carry a: GPS, compass, or OS map. Cyclists (along with other two-wheeled road users) have a “knowledge and feel” for road surfaces, alien to car drivers. Let me tell you: the roads here are great! Whilst the Swiss roads are noticeably better maintained than the French: roads both sides

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of the border, are substantially nicer to cycle than any you would encounter in, say, the UK. Add to this: mostly generous road widths; low usage by motor vehicles; good point-to-point signage: the resulting effect creates a very cycle friendly area. Cycling is not all about the “exercise and fresh air”, that’s just a sidebenefit. Cyclists (like Walkers/Climbers) are explorers, by nature. Luckily the never ending supply of Forests, Pastures, Vineyards, and Small Villages dotted throughout the area, provide all the interest a cyclist will ever need, and more besides. The succession of surprises around each bend takes the mind off tired legs, and wills us to push-on, exploring just one more new village, or interesting road, before heading home. If that’s not enough: lift your eye off the road ahead for a moment, or stop for a “breather”. You’ll be surrounded on all sides by spectacular scenery, always from a new angle, perspective, or

altitude. Enjoying the 360 degree views: look along the face of the Jura glowing in the sunlight, turn across the rolling Vineyard area with its verdant green ordered rows; focus for a moment on one of the many hillside villages; then let your eye be drawn across the sun speckled lake, to the year-around snow capped Mont Blanc massif. Picture it in your mind’s-eye: this is truly beautiful cycling country , views that etch themselves into your memory, and feed your spirit. So, to get you out there: ...I’ve put together a short list of 5 rides. Each one has a unique flavour, and tailored for a specific level of challenge, to suit your mood or ability; and will introduce you to an aspect of cycling i enjoy. Not necessarily that you might copy the route inch-for-inch, (we all start, and finish, our rides from different bases) but to give you a feel for what is out there, on your doorstep, and give you a flavour of what you might expect to find in each area. → FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

La Faucille, Mijoux, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine , Colognes.

Lausanne, Nyon, Coppet, Genève Easy & fun, as long or short as you want

Tough, mainly because you are committed to the full loop, +5 hours

La Faucille (D1005), out of Gex is a climb most local cyclists are drawn to. Taken from the traffic lights at la Poste in Gex, to the col sign at the summit: most fit riders will beat 60min; riders on form will hit 50’s; and the scarylooking guys are pushing sub 40’s. It is a great ride, occasionally you are buzzed by cars, trucks, and motorbikes; but, generally it’s a wide road, and most will get past without too much difficulty or frustration. The descent is smooth, fast, but not-too-fast, and most local cyclists will bag it quite a few times each season. But, once over the top, 1km, or so, out of la Faucille, you can turn left and head down the D936 to Mijoux...this is a point of commitment ; within minutes you’ll be on the other side of la Faucille with two options: head back up the col, from Mijoux, or run around the bottom end of the Jura! Riding at the back of the first crest of the Jura, on the D991, puts you into the heart of the Parc National. The forested road, cow bell tinkling fields, and the run alongside a river feel a million miles away from the Geneve side of the crest. Approaching Bellegarde-sur-Valserine: At Lancrans, I always head uphill on the Rue de Credo, across to Leaz; cutting out the less-than-scenic ride through the centre of Belegarde. Whilst (if returning to Gex) you will need to join the D1028 at some point, at Leaz. Running through the tunnel at Fort l’Ecluse, reminds us why most experienced cyclists will have a lightweight, but, high powered LED rear light on their bikes, allowing other, faster, road users to be well aware of our presence in the unlit tunnel. Heading out, turn off the “new road” and follow the “old D984” back on quieter roads; head through Collognes (a quiet rural village where i’ll often stop for a coffee, or late lunch) then wind along this flat road back through Thoiry, to Gex.

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Running down the lakeshore road (Route de Suisse) from Geneve to Lausanne is a pretty handy section of separated CycleRoute (although not every metre) perfect for family/fun rides. There are plenty of little deviations you can make, by heading a few hundred metres inland, into the characterful villages just off the lakeshore. But, generally, I just love riding in my jeans/ three quarters and a tee-shirt...stopping in places like Coppet and Nyon for a coffee, or ice cream.

Crassier-Aubonne moderate: challenging, but not a leg-breaker. Allow +2 hours This is run, much loved by our cycling group, simply because it is predictable, and can be tweaked to give the toughest riders a good ride, but is very doable for most cyclists! Heading out through Crassier village look for a concrete path/cycle track alongside the orchard. Passing through Grens & Coinsins head for Vich, Vinzel then Bursins. There is a 0.5km long, draggy-hill leading into Bursins the top is a great place to re-group. Tired riders can stop for a coffee/cake in the village (particularly enticing on wet days) before heading back. Most riders will, however, choose to push on to Aubonne (the cafe Coronne always offers a warm welcome to cyclists) whereas, riders wanting a bit of a stretch can turn left in Bursins, and head over the Signal de Bougy, (via about 6km of nice climbing, with a fast descent down to Aubonne) and Riders looking to hone their legs might return over the top on their way home. The area between Aubonne, and Vincy is laced with quiet vineyard roads, aim for the longer lateral roads: generally running parallel to the lake/Jura (sloping from Aubonne, down toward Vincy). There is a lifetime’s worth of exploring to be done here. Generally, i’ll ride this on my old steel 10 speed training bike to save wear & tear on my “best bike” and provide a little extra resistance training.

I will pick this route if I have fit, but non-cycling, friend visiting; and I’ll ride it on my fixed wheel town bike. There is something magical about riding through the countryside, dismounting (yes, I’m suggesting we sometimes get off our bikes!) and push it around the backstreets of a town, bumping into somewhere new to try for lunch. City bikes, fixed wheel, hybrids, and retro bikes are perfect for this sort of riding, but, make sure you have a light lock & chain (for lunch stops) a bell (for pedestrians that inevitably walk out on you) and a bag. Families and Newbies “yes” but, I’d also recommend this to “hardened” cyclists; sometimes it’s great to remember why we ride, and pootling about; exploring; walking with your bike etc, can rekindle that love we had for the machine, when we were teenagers on our first real bike.

Gex-Thoiry-Feigeres

Vesancy/Col du Combe Blanche

easy, but, you can “push it”. Allow 1-3 hours

as tough as they come. Allow +2 hours

Starting in the centre of Gex, as you head out toward St Genis Pouilly, look out for a tight right turn as you pass the Antidote bar (this is a badly designed junction, so exercise care) and head down the little hill, then a short-sharp climb up to the D89 which passes through Echnevex. From here, we basically head for the village of Thoiry, keeping to the quieter road which runs along the foot of the Jura.

This route is not for the feint hearted, particularly the first few km. This will put your legs into trouble from the outset, and not ease off to allow a full recovery! As you leave Vesancy (on the Divonne side) turn left, toward the Chapel du Riantmont, but take a left in 50m at the cross, follow the start of the Route de la Vesanciere (not the chapel road) and you’ll be looking at a wall of tarmac, which may lessen-increase but you’ll be pushing it at maximum effort for the next few km. Take the second right turn (on the first big left-hand hairpin) basically pushing on straight. This lessens to an 8% gradient (slightly more than, say, la Faucille) but this doesn’t allow you to fully recover from the first stretch. After a few km, the road heads downward, and joins the Col du Combe Blanche at its start (you have the option of heading back down to St Gix from here) or you can turn-the-screw, and “enjoy” another 9km of tough climbing on a very quiet road (if riding in spring: watch out for debris fallen from the low Jurassic cliff to your left. For this reason, I generally ride on an older, less valuable, pair of tyres; if descending, sometimes I’ll choose to walk this part of the descent, just for a Km, or two; enjoying the reflected sun off the cliff face, and the view over Divonne, rather than risk a high-speed blowout ). Over the top, you can head down to la Vattay (coming out on the centre’s car park) then turn left on the D1005 to la Faucille, and enjoy the fabulous descent, down to Gex.. I’ve ridden this route on my Touring bike, with a group of friends, at night, in the autumn: it’s a fantastic ride through the forest, but ensure you have very bright headlight, and a decent taillight! ...but, generally, i’m happier on my full carbon race bike, with a Compact Chainset (low gears) specifically for tough mountain rides; this is a tough ride!

Lac de Joux Destination ride: all levels from newbies to pro riders Most rides consist of a start point, planned route, and end point; but, it doesn’t have to be that way! Lac des Jouxs? Is a great place to head for with its good picnic facilities, and a number of decent cafes/restaurants ain Le Pont, at the far end. Agreeing a destination allows for large groups to meet up (en route, or at the destination) starting from wherever they wish.

Thoiry is a great place to stop, for a coffee; or, if you’re feeling frisky: you might want to continue to St Jean Gonville, and possibly add a little loop through Feigeres before heading back through Thoiry. This is a great route to get you up to speed. It is very predictable, and pretty flat. I use variations of this route, in the spring, to start to build up my aerobic strength (you can really push it/rest as necessary), i love to ride it on my fixed wheel bike (no big climbs, but needing the odd short push up one of the few rampy-bits). I used it last year, quite a few times, riding with a friend’s children. This route is linear, rather than a loop, so you can turn at any point; and, because you’ve just ridden the first part: the return journey should offer no big surprises!

En route there are plenty of places to park your car, unload your bikes, and cycle alongside the lake. Fit riders may start in Les Rousses; moderate riders can start at the one of the villages, at the other end of the lake; and those with kids can start on the lakeshore. Heroes might even want to start from the Geneva/Gex/Divonne area; believe me: that’s enough of a training ride for anybody! Whilst cycling is about kitting-up, and rolling into the early morning sunshine for a work out: It can also be about riding over to somewhere like Lac de Jouxs, setting a picnic/BBQ up; shouting “hellos”, and encouragement to friends/ work colleagues, as they arrive on two wheels; trading stories of how far/tough their route was; cheering that person you never thought you’d see on a bike; or showing off your 70’s bike which has been languishing in your shed! “Destination” rides work well for mixed ability groups, and are fun for everybody.

Paul received a beautiful silver and orange Falcon racing bike for passing his school entry examination. A love affair began. Since then, has owned, 100+ bikes. Living in a pretty village in the Jura: he rides grand sportives; clocks up 5,000 training miles p.a.; has consulted for world leading cycling brands... ...and is currently writing a cycling novel.

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photography lavaux-vinorama

Wine Tourism in the Frontier Region Wine and tourism are two words that conjure up moments of pleasure and relaxation, if not a sense of escape to somewhere exotic. Put them together as “wine tourism” and it sounds like something rather special. But what does wine tourism (or “oenotourisme”) really mean? For some it’s the chance to visit new places and discover wines they’ve never tried before, for others FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

it’s the opportunity to visit a region and learn more about its history and culture by sampling local wines and dishes. Some prefer to visit stunning locations with castles or memorable views even if the wines are not a particular highlight, while others seek out producers of outstanding wines even if the location is not a picture postcard.

Visiting wine producers and sampling wines where they are made are nothing new in themselves. But in one part of the wine world wine tourism has taken on a whole new meaning. Back in the 1960’s and 70’s many producers in the so-called New World of wine (in places like Australia, California and South Africa) had to make a big effort to entice people to drink their wines. The older generation was more used to wines from the Old World (of mainly European wine-producing countries like France and Italy) while the younger generation had never been tempted to try wine before. These producers made space on their wine estates to receive visitors for tastings, guided visits and sales of souvenirs, wine accessories and, ultimately, their wines. They never looked back. Now it’s not unusual to find bars and restaurants, even hotels and spas as part of the welcome. Wine tourism is becoming big business. In the Frontier region we are fortunate to have several remarkable wineproducing areas within easy reach such as the Jura, Savoie and Beaujolais regions on the French side and the Geneva, Vaud and Valais regions on the Swiss side. All of these regions are no more than two hours’ drive from Geneva and some considerably less. While the facilities that wine producers provide for visitors are generally less developed than in the New World, they do offer an unmatched variety of wines in terms of grape varieties and wine styles against the backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery you are likely to find anywhere in the entire world of wine. Here are ten great ways to discover the many delights of the Frontier world of wine.

01 | Plan your own itinerary, all regions If you like to make your own travel plans, a good place to start is by visiting the websites of the wine producer associations in each region. In most cases there is a ‘Wine Tourism’ or ‘Oenotourisme’ section proposing a range of ideas. But beware of the A-Z directory of producers that can be a little overwhelming as the site is not in a position to recommend one over another. j ura : jura- vins . com savoie : vindesavoie . net/en /index . htm B eaujolais : beaujolais .com geneva : lesvinsdegeneve . ch /home - fr . html vaud : ovv. ch valais : lesvinsduvalais . ch

02 | Wine trails, all regions Every region has sign-posted one or more routes that make sure you discover the region’s main highlights in terms of views and places. The ‘route de vignoble’ often takes you away from the main roads as it winds through the small towns and villages dotted throughout the vineyards. Several areas have also marked out gentle walks that take just a few hours or up to a whole day. jura : tourisme-hauteseille.fr/en/the-jura-wine-trail.htm savoie : v-d-s.pagesperso-orange.fr /1024route.htm beaujolais : route - vins . com suisse romande : www. romanduvin.ch/index. php?langue=F (and search for Balades) la côte : www. routeduvignoble . ch valais : www. cheminduvignoble . ch /fr /chemin /

03 | “Portes Ouvertes”, all regions These open-house events are fast becoming a regular fixture in the calendar each spring. All producers (almost without exception) lay on an extra-special welcome, which can include food and live music to accompany their wines. To encourage you to leave your car at home there are usually a range of shuttle services organized by the public transport networks to help you get from place to place as safely as possible. As these events take place on successive weekends in 2013 you may find it challenging to cover every single region! beaujolais : 27-28 april, fetedescrus-beaujolais.fr savoie : 4-5 may valais : 9-11 may vaud : 18-19 may, cavesouvertes . ch geneva : 25 may

Listen to ‘On the Grapevine’ on Radio Frontier each week nearer the date for recommended producers by region. 04 | Wine Museums, all regions For a good appreciation of the history, tradition and craft of winemaking nothing beats a visit to one of the regional wine museums. While some are rather quaint, others have recently been renovated like the Château d’Aigle, which has modernized its exhibition space with audio-visual and interactive displays. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

jura : arbois www.arbois.fr/musee-de-la-vigne-et-du-vin-du-jura.htm savoie : montmélian www.montmelian.com/index.html

Beaujolais : Romanèche-Thorins /see ‘Hameau Duboeuf’ below) Vaud : Aigle www.museeduvin.ch/accueil / Valais : Sierre www.museevalaisanduvin.ch

5 | Hameau Duboeuf - Beaujolais This family-friendly wine theme park is not unique just in France, but in all of Europe. Fashioned as the first ‘oenoparc’ it was created almost 20 years ago by the biggest wine-maker in the region, Georges Duboeuf, in Romanèche-Thorins in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyards. Different sites in the one location create an entertaining way to find out more about various aspects of the region and its wines. From April to October you can even visit six themed gardens, which allow you to discover the many aromas and tastes found in the wines of Beaujolais. the park is open every day of the year from 10h to 18h. hameauduvin . com

6 | Lavaux Vinorama - Vaud The 1,000 year-old terraced vineyards of the Lavaux between Lausanne and the Château de Chillon are a must-see. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 they form a cultural landscape that truly represents “the combined works

of nature and man”. At the Vinorama in Rivaz you can follow the winemaker’s year in a beautiful film about the region, try five different tasting packages and discover some 240 wines for sale, which celebrate the ubiquitous Chasselas grape variety and other specialities from the region.

at the Percée in 2014, which takes place on February 1-2 in Conliège Perrigny.

open from february to christmas on wednesdays

This association of 42 wine-producing estates brings together a collection of outstanding historical and architectural jewels spread throughout the Suisse Romande. Many properties are still family owned and managed, while several belong to some of the large wine companies in the region. Check the association’s website regarding visits to any of the properties.

through sundays from

Simon Hardy loves wine and knows an awful lot about it. He has been awarded the Advanced Certificate in Spirits and Wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in the UK and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Wines & Spirits in London. He is the founder of Fitting Wines, which offers personalised wine services in Switzerland. Each week on Radio Frontier he pres ents the wine show ‘On the Grapvine’ with Mark Butcher.

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20 h30 (19 h

sundays) and every day from june to october . lavaux- vinorama . ch

7 | Miniature Trains - Vaud You can enjoy spectacular views of the picturesque Lavaux vineyards as well as Lake Geneva by riding on one of the miniature trains that follow different parts of the spectacular corniche road. You can choose from various itineraries lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. lavaux express operates round trips from lutry and

Cully

every wednesday through saturday

from april to october . www. lavauxexpress . ch lavaux panoramic operates circuits starting in chexbres each weekend from april to october www. lavaux- panoramic . ch /en /

8 | La Percée du Vin Jaune - Jura The Jura region is not only home to one of the founding fathers of modern winemaking, Louis Pasteur, but also makes one of the most distinctive wines of France, le Vin Jaune. On the first weekend of February each year the release of the latest vintage forms the centrepiece of ‘La Percée du Vin Jaune’ celebrations. Made from the Savagnin grape variety and tasting rather like a nutty dry sherry, Vin Jaune must be matured in oak barrels for six years and three months before it can be sold. The 2007 vintage will be released photography

Simon Hardy Fitting wines

10 h30

www. percee - du - vin -jaune . com

9 | Clos, Domaines et Châteaux - Vaud

www. c- d - c . ch /fr /index . php

10 | Guided tours - Vaud The luxury way to discover any wine region is in the company of a specialist tour guide. Swiss Riviera Wine Tours organises highly personalised half-day tours that take you to either the Lavaux or Châteaux Chillon and Aigle. Knowledgeable guides escort small groups of between two and eight people and each tour is available in a variety of languages. For a more exclusive itinerary that suits your particular needs you can even request a ‘Custom & Private’ tour. www. swissrivierawinetours . com

Fitting Wines We provide a range of personalised wine services to help you discover and enjoy quality wines from all countries and learn more about the world of wine.

Our services are ideally suited to both international and local clients based in Switzerland and are tailor-made to your tastes, needs and budget. Contact us at www.fittingwines.com to receive your free ‘Personal Taste Profile’™, exclusive to Fitting Wines. photography lavaux- panoramique

Sustainability is THE future. At SUMAS, sustainability is YOUR future!

The Sustainability Management School (SUMAS) is a business school that oﬀers a full business education with a unique competitive edge in Sustainability Management.

SUMAS oﬀers: Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainability Management MBA in Sustainability Management Master in Cultural Heritage Management Training Courses for Executives. Online Executive MBAs in Sustainability Management

To ensure the future success of students, SUMAS has a wide network of partners. Students have the opportunity to establish network relationships with guest executives. Our students will obtain qualiﬁcations in sustainability management, which will teach them how to be innovative in the practice of business and ﬁnd “green” solutions to complex issues.

Bucking the trend? - How the Frontier Region is coping with the downturn.

Radio Frontier asked some of the regions most connected business leaders how they felt the region was faring in this economic climate.

QUESTION 1:

The Geneva Region seems to have escaped the worst of the recession. Why do you think this is?

QUESTION 2:

There seems to be some improvement in the general economic situation. Is this real, or an illusion?

QUESTION 3:

What do you think local politicians need to do to ensure the economic health of the area?

QUESTION 4:

The Swiss franc remains very strong against the Euro. Is this still a serious problem?

QUESTION 5:

What do you think are the major strength of the Geneva Region?

Radio Frontierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panel of experts Greg Thomas

Robert Deillon

Managing Director of Privatair S.A., Geneva.

CEO of Geneva International Airport.

Dr. Victoria Curzon-Price

Michael A. McKay

Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Geneva and former parliamentarian in the Canton of Geneva.

Former Chairman of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Geneva and Founder & Principal of McKayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. International Corporate Communications.

Daniel Loeffler Department of regional affairs, economy and health for the Canton of Geneva. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

QUESTION 1: Geneva has a robust economy based on several factors. The UN and international organisations offer employment and high international profile. Geneva is now a strong trading hub, for example with oil and other commodities. This helps maintain a demand for middle class housing. Geneva is also a gateway to the Alps, both winter and summer. Greg Thomas

QUESTION 5:

The attractive framework conditions and a high concentration of international QUESTION 1: skilled people and decision makers are the key assets of Geneva. The central position of The Canton has the highest level of Geneva allows an easy access to the unemployment, the highest level of public different markets and its debt and (once the artificial boost from massive public quality of life are an works is taken into account) one of the lowest rates good advantage.

of growth in Switzerland. It looks good because its immediate neighbour, France, looks so bad…

Daniel Loeffler

Dr. Victoria Curzon-Price

QUESTION 4: No, it was never thus. Genevese firms react by going elsewhere, raising productivity or finding new niches. The tourist industry howls like a wounded animal every time, but as far as I can see it’s still there - catering as usual to those who can pay their astronomic rates. And a rising Swiss franc is part of the stock-in-trade of the private bankers. So a strong Swiss franc is more of a blessing than a curse.

QUESTION 3: They need to focus on building adequate infrastructure˙: new roads, rail and airport capacity. It is also important they maintain the attractiveness of the Geneva region, with competitive tax rates and high levels of education for QUESTION 4: example. Robert Deillon

Yes! Greg Thomas

QUESTION 5: Its location in the middle of Europe makes it easy to get to all European capitals and Geneva is also perfectly situated between the USA and Asia. Quality of life is another major advantage; Geneva is a small city in which one can find almost everything. Robert Deillon

Dr. Victoria Curzon-Price

QUESTION 3:

Local politicians need to keep on explaining to the general population the benefits of a globalised and open Geneva. They also need to maintain the attractiveness of investing the region and keep petty crime/law and order under control. Michael A. McKay

QUESTION 5:

Geographically central; and ideal time zone; open-minded; a good source of capital QUESTION 1: and expertise; and generally The worst seems to be behind us and the situation in an agreeable place to live, do Europe, the main economic partner for Switzerland, business and raise a family.

shows some improvement. But we are still in sensitive phase. The growth in Europe is not strong and we still need to improve the competitiveness of our environment.

Michael A. McKay

Daniel Loeffler FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Buying a house in Switzerland? q&a

brought to you by...

In order to buy a house in Switzerland, three criteria must be met: a down payment (equity), affordability of costs and the valuation of the property. In this article, we will be looking at these three.

Equity Firstly, it is necessary to come up with a down payment of a minimum of 20% of the purchase price. Purchase fees need to be added to this (notary fees, taxes and land register charges), and in the Cantons of Vaud and Geneva, these costs amount to roughly 5% of the purchase price.

Example 1 Purchase price Purchase costs Total purchase price

1,000,000 50,000 1,050,000

Down payment/Equity (20%) Purchase costs Mortgage loan

The down payment can be made up of cash, 2ème pilier (occupational pension plan savings) and 3ème pilier (personal pension savings) funding. Since 1st July 2012, a new federal order recommends that at least 10% of the contribution should not come from your pension fund.

Example 2 Purchase price Purchase costs Total purchase price

Equity can be used in two ways – either as simple assets placed with the notary or by pledging of savings before retirement. This second option is usually used with shares or 2ème and 3ème pilier funds. With the pledging funds option, a higher mortgage is required, providing other advantages. To determine if this option is of financial benefit, important calculations need to be made.

Equity (10%) Purchase costs Mortgage

1,000,000 50,000 1,050,000

Funds pledged Bank risk

Looking back at our example Theoretical rate of 5% on 800,000 Principal Payment of 1% of the loan Maintenance costs, on average 1% of the loan Total estimated annual cost (necessary income 58,000 x 3 = 174,000)

Affordability of the Loan In order to grant a loan, financial establishments need to ensure that the future owner will be able to pay their costs. Theoretical charges are made up of interests on the loan, the redemption of the loan and the costs of the property (upkeep, taxes, insurance, utilities etc.). The sum of these costs must not exceed one third of gross annual income.

- 200,000 - 50,000 800,000

- 100,000 - 50,000 900,000 100,000 800,000

40,000 8,000 10,000 58,000

The monthly cost amounts to 2,666 CHF, of which 666 CHF is the principal payment of the loan (8,000/12) and therefore equates to a ‘forced saving’ as opposed to money down the drain.

Valuation Financial companies will value the property in order to be able to confirm the security of the investment. This analysis can be undertaken by an in-house specialist or by an external property specialist. In the latter case, it is not unusual for the buyer to pay any related costs. If the property valuation is below the purchase price, the buyer will have to contribute more equity

to make up the difference between the purchase price and the loan. It is important to note that the topics covered in this article are only the basics of property finance in Switzerland. In order to determine the right options for you, it is essential to draw up a personal financial plan.

For more information

www.d-l.ch FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Geneva wild eagle cheerleaders alvaro chocano de rossi finds out what it takes to be a servette hockey cheerleader.

The crowd goes crazy as the Servette Hockey team scores their first goal of the game, but the 12 girls sitting rinkside don’t have time to celebrate as they jump to their feet and perform a routine to a crowd of thousands of eager fans watching their every move. Before they became one of the best cheer teams in Switzerland, they were six teenage girls with a passion for dance and a tenacious love for their local hockey team. Organizing a group of girls is never an easy task, but Deb Geiser, team captain, made it her responsibility to not only help create a cheer squad, but also lead it. She is now the only founding member still left on the team and her passion burns brighter than ever. As you can imagine, it wasn’t easy for such a young group to get much credibility from Geneva’s most popular professional sports team and some people had trouble taking them seriously because of their young age. FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Nonetheless, they never lost hope and kept fighting for their team and eventually they got recognition from the club, earning the title ‘Geneva Wild Eagle Cheerleaders’. This meant that they not only had to come up with routines for every game, but also recruit new girls. 12 years on and the Geneva Wild Eagle Cheerleaders have gone from strength to strength attending every home game and doubling their members. They have also introduced different categories for younger girls, some as young as five. The main cheer group practices every Monday and Wednesday during game season and as games tend to be on the weekend they make sure all their routines ready to go by Wednesday evening. They arrive at the stadium an hour and a half before face off, giving them enough time to warm up and go through the routine on the ice before people start arriving.

They wear special studded shoes to avoid embarrassing face plants. The main squad consists of 16 girls between the ages of 16 and 27. The team tryouts are at the beginning of each season, and while they aren’t as bad the stereotypical American popularity contests, they are still fairly brutal. Deb told me more:

“We teach the new girls a routine, and they need to learn it and be able to do it properly by the end of the practice. If they can’t learn the routine or have no sense of rhythm, we turn them down immediately.”

Finding the money for the cheer team can be difficult at times and even though Servette Hockey Club pays for their uniforms, they still need money to travel to and from competitions. Every year the

Alvaro Chocano de Rossi When Alvaro joined the Radio Frontier team as an intern in July 2011 he was a wide-eyed, bushy haired university student, preparing to take his first shaky steps into the real world. Six months later he was a full-time staff member in charge of social media and the producer of two weekly radio shows. Blessed with youthful enthusiasm and energy, heading out to speak to the Servette Hockey club cheerleaders was a walk in park.

squad hosts a fundraising dinner with food and drink served by the ladies themselves, with dancing cheers and a tombola for entertainment. They also raise money through membership fees. “Everyone has to pay a small annual fee to be in the squad. This mainly helps us travel“ said Deb. The full team consists of three categories, the main one: Geneva Wild Eagle Cheerleaders, the middle one: Geneva Funky Eagles Cheerleaders, and the youngest are called the Geneva Little Eagle Cheerleaders. “We are here because we love our team and we because we love dancing” Dancing may be their passion and most of them have been doing it for many years, but it’s not all fun and games. Coming up with routines is never easy, especially when the group you are leading are strong, opinionated cheerleaders. While they all work at coming up with routines, the captain and co-captain always make the

final decisions. Being in a cheer squad isn’t only about cheering on the hockey team, the girls regularly travel to dance and cheer competitions around the country. They prepare four months in advance for competitions and these routines require complicated stunts and coordination. The squad attends three competitions throughout the year; the Romandie Spirit Fever Open, The National Swiss Cheer Competition and the European Cheer Championship. The Romandie Spirit Fever is an open competition for cheer teams in the Swiss Romande area, where they finished first in all three categories they entered in 2011 and 2012. They were runners-up in the Swiss Cheerleading and Cheerdancing Championship for two years in a row, allowing them to qualify for the European Championship. But just because they have more at stake during competitions, doesn’t mean they don’t take games seriously. ‘When we first started, we only cheered at games.

Now that we go to competitions, we try not to forget that the reason we cheer is for the hockey team,’ explained Deb. They have to make sure they look good out on the ice to not only get the 7000 strong crowds going but also encourage more girls to join the team. While the Wild Eagles did not win the European Championship last year, they were able to win a place in the Cheerdance Freestyle category, Double Dance Hip Hop category, Double Dance Jazz Category and Double Dance Freestyle category. They are extremely confident about this year’s event and plan on entering the Swiss Cheer Championship in May. They are all very optimistic about qualifying to the European Championship in June.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Photography G. Shen

R af hard at work at Mr . pickwick

RAISING THE fishermans pub

BAR A look at the region’s best sports bars The Lake Geneva region may not have any world class sports teams or many famous athletes, but we do have the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and the UEFA headquarters in Nyon. We’re sort of like the prom king’s non-athletic, nerdy cousin who’s good at maths and does well in the long run, but certainly had his fair share of wedgies at school. One thing we do have though, aside from sport governing body headquarters, is a multitude of great pubs and bars to watch sport at. One of my favourite things to do is put on a pair trackies and a rugby shirt, step into a pair of flip flops and head to the pub for a day watching sport. Here are some of the region’s best places to do just that…

pickwicks

nyon Fishermans For sport in Nyon your best bet is to head to the Stade de Colovrex, home of Nyon rugby and dozens of men and women’s football teams. If standing around in the cold however isn’t your thing then the best place to watch sport on TV in Nyon is Fisherman’s Pub. Fisherman’s celebrated its 20th birthday this year and is a cosy, medium sized pub, twenty odd meters from the lake side, that shows rugby and football on three screens, sells pints, shots and fishbowls and caters for a nice mix of expats and locals, young and old. Bar staff are nice and the place really feels like an English style country pub. Check their website for details on their famous full English breakfast and beer pong tournaments. Rue de Rive 37 www.fishermenspub.ch

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Geneva Mr. Pickwick Pub

captain cook

Lausanne The Great Escape The Great Escape is definitely a favourite for expats in Lausanne. The place shows most of the main sports: premiership football, international and club rugby and the American ones as well. Their website is kept nicely up to date so you can check out exactly what they’re showing when. The kitchen serves a nice mix of classic UK style pub food- with the Swiss quality you wouldn’t find elsewhere. Rue de la Madeleine 18 CH-1003 Phone: 021 312 31 94 Email: bar.contact@the-great.ch www.the-great.ch

Captain Cook Captain Cook pub is popular with football fans with most of the main premiership games and tournaments shown on their screens. The English style pub is really well located in the centre of town and has several happy hours and a good selection of beers, ales and ciders on tap. I’m not a Guinness drinker myself but I’m told Captain Cook is the best place in town to get a pint of stout. 2 Rue Enning 1003 Lausanne Phone: 0213230055

If I had to compare Mr Pickwick Pub to an empire, I would pick the Roman Empire-circa 117 AD and by that I don’t mean they organise orgies and gladiator fights, I just mean that it’s big and been around for a while (1969). They show pretty much any sport you can imagine, from premiership football and rugby to late night American sports and boxing on their 30 or so screens. While you might find yourself craning to catch a glimpse of the action at some of the region’s other pubs, you’re guaranteed a good spot and great atmosphere at Pickwicks. The pub boasts some of the best curries in town and the rest of their menu is second to none. They make the most of their space with pub quizzes, weekly bands, DJs, karaoke and plug and play nights.

80 rue de Lausanne, 1202 Phone: 022 731 67 97 www.mrpickwick.ch

The Clubhouse As Geneva sports bars go, The Clubhouse is the young gun that’s giving the old guard a run for their money. With one of the best locations in town: close to the lake in the nice part of Paqui, The Clubhouse is a fun bar with really tasty food. Although the pubs owner’s have their roots in the Swiss rugby scene, you can watch pretty much any sport going, play pool, listen to live music, (be sure to check out their very own pocket-sized Meat Loaf- John Barry) see stand-up and go to their quizzes. Rue Philippe-Plantamour 25 Phone: 022 732 10 22 www.theclubhouse.ch

R af & Jess at Mr pickwick

L’élephant dans la Canette

Despite the slightly dubious name for a pub, Darling’s show a wide selection of sports and is generally a clean and bright place. You can check out their website for a detailed list of what’s on when. They describe themselves as a “night pub” which means they stay open until 5am and turn into a club later on, a great spot for some late night Jaeger Bombs. The place tends to fill up and they organise parties throughout the year.

The Elephant dans la Canette (or elephant in the pint) isn’t the kind of place you’ll find many expats drinking export larger, eating fish and chips and bragging about their skiing exploits in Chamonix the weekend before. In fact it’s the kind of place you might even bump into the odd Swiss person. They sell steak tartar, cheap pints and show sports on TV. Check out L’Elephant dans la Canette for more of a Swiss feel sports bar, albeit on the slightly more colourful side of the spectrum, that shows American sportsincluding NFL.

Galerie St-Francois A Phone : 0213127612 reservations@my-darling.ch

18 Avenue du Mail Angle Ecole de Médecine 1205. www.elephantdanslacanette.com

Darling’s

the clubhouse

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Take a couple of people with a passion for music. Let them choose all their own music tracks. Show them how a digital radio studio works. Then let them free for two hours on the airwaves. We’ve welcomed over 100 BADJs and Slipped Discs into the studio this year. We thank them all. (especially the one’s we’ve lost the photos of…) If you want to BADJ (16-21) or (if you’re a little older) Slip a Disc just contact Alvaro@radiofrontier.ch. He’ll tell you how it works (and schedule you before you know it.) That’s what we call community music programming!

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 2012/13

RADIO FRONTIER & WORLD RADIO SWITZERLAND Frequently Asked Questions 78

As you might imagine we are being asked constantly ‘when is Radio Frontier going to take over WRS?’ The fact is, we don’t know yet if we are - but we’re doing everything we can to make sure that high quality English radio in Switzerland is in safe hands for the long term. At the time of printing the Federal Office of Communications (Ofcom) is still considering the best use of the FM signal which is currently being used by WRS. FM space is very tight in Switzerland and highly regulated. In this process Ofcom will consider all opinions from various stakeholders, which can include the cantonal government, other radio stations and local businesses. You, as a member of the

English speaking community in Geneva, are also a key stakeholder. During the long bid process we’ve put together what we believe is the strongest business and programming strategy for the Swiss Government and Ofcom to consider. In our plans, we will bring back local radio to the region. It’s our belief that the international community needs an English language radio station that’s focussed firmly on the area in which it lives, and which also includes relevant national and international news and reporting. So our plan is to regionalise the radio output. Not just for Geneva but for Zurich and other areas of Switzerland too.

So when will this happen? This is a big question – but the Ofcom process is long. They need the time to collect opinions and make their decision. We are currently being told that the decision will be in June 2014. If we are successful in our bid for the station – we will take over around a couple of months later.

Q: Will you have local news ? absolutely. We believe that rich local news a: Yes, content is essential for the success of the station. But

we will be more local – so expect more immediate daily news about this region (including neighbouring France) – and a little less about the local politics, traffic jams and local events from the regions where you don’t live. We will always report on Swiss national news where it’s most relevant.

Q: Will you keep NPR/PRI programmes? best will stay, some may go. There’s some great a: The content here but we also want to make sure that when you’re listening in your car you feel locally connected. Phone-ins from Michigan may not quite pass the local test, if you know what we mean. Obviously many NPR/ PRI programmes are available on-line like the rest of the world’s non-local programming. We’ll make sure you won’t miss your real favourites.

Q: Is commercial radio just music and adverts? no. Yes, there will be music – even better we a: Well, hope - and there will be adverts (that’s how we pay for it – remember radio is completely free for you so advertisers are really paying your listening costs, and adverts are a valuable resource on where to get the best lcoal products and services too), but we will have plenty of intelligent and engaging presenters and journalists to create a full service commercial station.

Q: Will you keep the BBC? the BBC news will be core programming for a: Yes, the new station and we will be able to formalise

negotiations with the BBC as soon as we given the green light.

Q: What will you do differently from WRS? will be more connected to the local community. a: We We will be ‘out and about’ more. Engaged with

various local associations and events in a more direct way. Our aim is to be the ‘glue’ for the international community in this area. We can only be successful with your support – and we will work hard to deserve that support.

about the local Q: What regular contributors?

keen to keep your favourites and we hope a: We’re they’ll want to be with us. (we know many of them

from the past, of course.) But we’ll also look to bring in new external contributors to make sure we’re as close to the community as we can be and, as with all radio stations, we’ll have a mandate to keep the programming fresh and in constant evolution.

Q: Will we bring back the classifieds on-air? a: Damn right we will.

www.radiofrontier.ch FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

and international

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Your clients always see the best layout for their screen. Multiple layouts & branding options for a single webcast.

Full desktop experience on tablet devices and mobile streaming capabilities.

Detailed viewing statistics for your webcast. Registration, password protection, IP restriction, HTTPS stream delivery.

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Europastrasse 30 CH-8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland

Geneva

world-television.ch Geneva / Zurich / London / Cologne / Frankfurt / Madrid

t/ +41 (0)22 301 6344 f/ +41 (0)44 306 5115 geneva@world-television.com

9, Rue Veyrot 1217, Meyrin, Geneva, Switzerland

promotion LA PRAILLE SHOPPING & LEISURE t : +41 (0) 22 304 80 00 www.la-praille.ch rte des Jeunes 10, 1227 Carouge, Geneva Relax over coffee or lunch, enjoy bowling with friends or update your fashion look – at La Praille the possibilities are endless. Check out the choices: Ten restaurants & cafes, (including Da Giovanni, Coop, le Panetier, Molino, Martel, E-wok), hair styling & wellbeing, beauty & nails, a bank, the largest Coop hypermarket

distributors

in Geneva and a traditional bakery serving delicious bread from a wood oven. La Praille also offers great family leisure: a 26-lane bowling alley, solarium, fitness club (with heated pool), and children’s nursery. La Praille is open 7/7 (until 9pm Thursdays). Ample parking/public transport.

SIGNY CENTRE T : +41 (0) 22 363 67 00 www.signycentre.ch 300m from the A1 autoroute, exit Nyon Easy parking, great shopping and a relaxing experience – Signy Centre is all about convenience! With 50 topname stores (including a giant Coop supermarket for wonderful fresh foods), you can shop for fashions then relax with a coffee or lunch while the children play at the supervised nursery. Or why not enjoy a workout

at the fitness club? Check out hair salons, a post office, pharmacy, travel agency and dry cleaning. Life is convenient at Signy Centre! Monday to Thursday: 9am - 7pm, Friday until 9pm and Saturday until 6pm. Free parking.

Blandonnet shopping centre www.blandonnetcentre.ch Route de Meyrin 171, 1214 vernier Ideally located south of Cointrin Geneva airport, at the crossroads between route de Meyrin and rue du Pré-Bois, Blandonnet Centre offers easy access to a choice of shops and cafés. Thanks to its indoor parking of more than 1000 places, free for 3 hours, and public transport connections right at the door (tram 14 and 4 bus lines), the Blandonnet Commercial Centre has the largest Coop store in French speaking

Switzerland, the only Interio store in canton Geneva and other shops such as Dosenbach, Interdiscount, Mobilezone, Yendi, dry cleaning, hair dressing and a pharmacy, not forgetting two restaurants (Coop and Aux bonnes choses). The centre is well laid out in a bright and airy environment. See website for opening hours and animations.

Vitam Shopping Centre T: +33 (0) 450 84 65 65 www.vitam.fr 500, route des Envignes, 74160 SAINT-JULIEN-EN-GENEVOIS Located at the heart of the Vitam Centre for leisure and well-being, the Vitam Shopping Centre is the perfect place to browse and buy; to seek out original gifts or to treat yourself! More than 20 individual stores offer fashion, decoration, well-being, beauty and sport – representing more than

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

90 famous brands. And what will really set the shine on your retail therapy? A spectacular setting, restaurants and a hotel! Five minutes from Bardonnex. Free parking. TPG Bus D Bel Air – Vitam (Wed, Sat, Sun).

OUTLET AUBONNE T : +41 (0) 58 853 75 20 www.outlet-aubonne.ch Pré Neuf, 1170 Aubonne (next to IKEA, just off the A1). OUTLET AUBONNE - A strong concept in one of the biggest commercial locations between Geneva and Lausanne. For top brands in fashion and sports, such as Lacoste, Desigual, Diesel, Levi’s, Mango, Navyboot, Boggi, Lee Wrangler, Ecko Unltd, Nike, Adidas, Puma and more – with up to 70% off all year round in more than 50 stores.

There’s free parking and easy access with public transport, (Allaman station only 3 mins walk!) Open Mon-Wed 10 am – 7pm, ThursFri 10am – 9pm, Sat 9 am to 6 pm. See website for latest news.

Centre Commercial St-Antoine - vevey T : +41 (0) 21 925 76 89 www.st-antoine.ch Av General-Guisan 15, Vevey Easy to access and easy to enjoy – that’s the St Antoine Centre at Vevey. With covered parking for more than 350 cars, and both trains and buses directly in front, St Antoine is all about convenience. Thirty big names and boutiques are present – offering hair

care, beauty, fashion, home-styling, electrical, flowers and travel – as well as places to enjoy a coffee or lunch. Children love the garderie and who can resist the fresh foods and quality labels at Manor supermarket? See website for location and hours.

CHAVANNES CENTRE T : +41 (0) 22 960 86 99 www.les-centres.ch off the A1 autoroute at the Coppet/Divonne exit. The Chavannes Centre is more than a shopping centre. There are 40 shops ranging from top brands, to household goods to specialized outlets and a large Manor department store and supermarket – stocking local delicacies and a wide range of food from all over the world.

The Chavannes Centre is also an excellent place to relax and eat, with restaurants such as Manora and Planet Caviar. There’s free parking and day-care available as well. The Chavannes Centre, where you’ll find everything.

Val Thoiry Commercial Centre T: +33 (0) 4 50 41 20 20 www.valthoiry.com Access: Y Bus from Geneva – Blandonnex direction. By Car: just off the D884. The Val Thoiry Commercial Centre is located just off the D884 at Thoiry, only 5 minutes from Swiss the border at Meyrin. In the centre, there are 66 shops, several restaurants and cafés and a Migros Hypermarket. There are also a number of large stores in the adjoining commercial zone.

Shop opening times: Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m to 8.00 p.m. and Saturday from 9.00. The Hypermarket is open from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. Monday to Friday and from 8.30 a.m. on Saturday.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

Alan Bird MBA MRICS MCMI

ConSultIng ChARteRed SuRveyoR

JARDINS EN FÊTE www.jardinsenfete.ch

the trading post

FLOWERSHOW in COPPET 10 - 12 MAY 2013, 10 a.m to 6 p.m 120 exhibitors - plants - gardenshow - tools - furniture - outdoor decoration - floral arrangements competition - restaurant - activities for children.

Route de St-Cergue 19 CH -1268 Begnins Switzerland Tel/Fax : +41 (0) 22 366 0248 Mobile : +41 (0) 78 890 1291 E-mail : alan.bird@bluewin.ch www.alanfbird.com

ALAN BIRD t: +41 (0) 22 366 02 48 www.alanfbird.com Genuinely independent professional advice on property & related matters. House, Apartment or Chalet surveys & inspections; problem-diagnosis; feasibility studies for alterations; project-planning for alterations or overhauls; project-management from inception to Final Account.

COLLABORATIVE ART t: +41 (0) 78 696 09 08 info@collaborativeart.ch www.collaborativeart.ch Creative workshops designed to develop team building, creativity and team effectiveness using innovative and inspiring art projects.

U CAN DRUM www.ucandrum.com www.facebook.com/ucandrum Private drum lessons in an exciting and innovative environment for all ages 7-170! All styles of drumming,from classical to heavy metal. All you need is the passion, determination and most importantly the belief in yoursef. Drum on!

institut JYOTI - lumière

Tel. +41 (0) 76 324 17 83 www.ayurveda-therapies.ch Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine dating back 5000 years. Comprised of two Sanskrit words, Ayur and Veda signifying ‘Science of Life’. This knowledge of life based on the universal principles, Air, Fire, Water & Earth is therefore aimed at everyone.

Give it a try We organize guided tours, rental and events. Call +41 (0)22 510 34 56 geneva.citywheels.ch

GERALD HOMMEL t: +41 (0) 22 362 0473 www.house-renovation.ch gerald.hommel@gmail.com

PISCINES & SPA Construction / Maintenance

Trusted, highly experienced, English speaking, Swiss certified Surveyor Engineer in Nyon.

Make your dreams come true… Dive into crystal clear water whenever you desire. With years of experience we can manage your project with expertise

Help with extensions, renovations, decorations. Can organize, coordinate & manage your entire project! Local knowledge & connections. Personal recommendations available.

Your wish is our command! Tel. : 022 364 76 70 Rue des Alpes 2 1196 Gland projet@espace-bleu.com www.espace-bleu.com

NUTRI CONSULT

Tel. +41 (0) 78 676 45 47 www.healthysteps4u.ch nutriconsult@bluewin.ch Health conferences in GE, VD, FR districts and on the Web, a 90 Days Challenge (up to 10 kg lost) and Follow-up sessions. Possibility of becoming a trained partner in our wellness program. Nathalie Laffaire-Ischer, nutritionist and coach (English Spoken).

PARTRIDGE AUCTIONS Tel. +41 (0) 79 835 09 88 www.partridgeauctions.com

All Furnishings Great and Small, From the Eclectic to the Everyday. Partridge Auctions is a live auction house offering quality new and used home furnishings on behalf of the owners. Buyers and sellers please contact us.

FRONTIER MAGAZINE ISSUE 02 - SPRING 2013

swiss gardening school www.swissgardeningschool.com From the complete novice who wants to get their fingers “green” for the first time, to an already confident horticulturist wishing to broaden your skills, we aim to provide you with the tools to make your garden plans a reality. Course size is small with all instruction in English.

Your partner in all matters relating to insurance and pensions AXA Winterthur Principal Agency of Jacques Gentizon Denis Lachavanne Dufour Insurance Manager 079 888 06 48 denis.lachavanne@axa.ch

EXPAT RENOVATIONS

Tel. +41 (0) 79 628 60 46 www.expat-renovations.com Expat Renovations is a very experienced professional English speaking renovation company servicing clients in the Swiss Cantons of Geneva and Vaud. We carry out all types of renovation work, from complete renovations of old farmhouses to building new extensions and re-modeling of existing living spaces.

cleoo@cleoo.ch Order food at cleoo.ch – simply enter your zip code, choose your favorite restaurant and away you go! Order from our extensive range of dishes including Pizza,Curry,Sushi and much more. Our Partners will deliver your order directly to your home or office.

Buffet de la Gare Route de Founex, 25 1298 Céligny

Tel. +41 (0) 22 776 27 70 www.buffet-gar-celigny.ch Info@buffet-gare-celigny.ch

Try some lake and seasonnal specials at the restaurant where Richard Burton spent many an hour at the table...

“IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE MASTER OF STAND UP COMEDY - GO SEE EDDIE IZZARD!” - MICHAEL MITTERMEIER “ S T A G G E R I N G LY F U N N Y. T O S P E A K P L A I N LY, A W E S O M E ! ” - A N T O I N E D E C A U N E S “ W I T H O U T A D O U B T, T H E F U N N I E S T M A N I N T H E W O R L D ! ” - J A M E L D E B O U Z Z E

MICK PERRIN & GUY STEVENS PRESENTS

en Anglais auf Englisch

eddieizzard.com WORLD TOUR 2013/14 • EuropE

GENEVA Arena

Thurs. 25 & Fri. 26 April 8pm

Zurich Hallenstadion Saturday 27 April 8pm

The international magazine of Switzerland

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