by Chantal Panozzo

So you’ve lived abroad for a good amount of time. Maybe for a year, maybe for three, maybe for ten. But how do you know when you’ve reached the point of no return? In other words, when do you know you’ve become addicted to expatriate life?

Actually, it’s not that hard to tell. Here are 10 Ways You Know You’re a Perpetual Expat:

-People ask where you’re from and you finally have an answer. You say, “It’s complicated.” And you like it that way.

-The thought of moving back to your home country makes you cringe because that would be boring.

-You no longer talk about what’s bad about your adopted country, you focus on what’s bad about your home country.

-The thought of going on a “permanent contract” no longer scares you. It just means you’ll have to find another place to live.

-You think it would be great to have multi-cultural and multi-lingual children.

-You enjoy the challenge of figuring things out and feel that you would be bored otherwise. A country with four official languages and many more dialects, bring it on!

-You enjoy your status of being different. It makes you feel special.

-You feel like you are leading an exciting life even if the reality is lots of packing and unpacking.

-You are addicted to travel. You travel more in one year than most of your friends back home do in a lifetime.

-You feel a thrill thinking about where you could go next. And it never includes the place you came from before.

-You want to read more about this topic. Andrea Martins, co-founder of ExpatWomen, wrote an article for the Telegraph about why some of us become addicted to the overseas lifestyle. Enjoy.

Are you addicted to living abroad? Why or why not?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

Language confusion in Switzerland is nothing new

By Chantal Panozzo

Language can be a tricky thing in a country like Switzerland. After all, the tiny country with a population of 7 million has four official languages and many more unofficial dialects. In case you find it confusing, here’s a little guide to help you understand what region you’re in:

Here’s how you know you’re in the German-speaking region:

-People from Germany are as confused as you.

-They write in one language and talk in another.

-There is a lot of fog.

-People don’t understand the people from the next town over because the dialects are that different. But this is on purpose. Secrecy is big in Switzerland—not just in banks.

-How you say “hello” is analyzed to determine what town you’re from.

-If you are not on time you are not worthy.

-Everyone’s eating either wurst or wurst.

Here’s how you know you’re in the French-speaking region:

-The written language is exactly like the spoken one.

-The French-speaking Swiss don’t understand Swiss German and this frustrates them. The Swiss Germans like it this way.

-Everyone speaks French or French.

-Almost every town is on a lake.

-The French Swiss make the watches. The German Swiss obey them.

Here’s how you know you’re in the Italian-speaking region:

-People talk with their hands.

-The buildings are colors like pink, yellow, and orange.

-People eat pizza or pizza.

-Many speak German as a second language. The German that the actual Germans can understand.

-You can actually see the sun.

Here’s how you know you’re in the Romansh-speaking region:

-You think you hear Italian. You think you hear German. You think you hear Latin. But you don’t understand anything.

-There are no young people around.

-You are in the Alps.

-There are a lot of cows.

-Everyone speaks at least one other language.

How about you? How do you determine what section of Switzerland you’re in?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

by Chantal Panozzo

Why move abroad? Why Europe? Why Switzerland? Why ask why?

In today’s world, there is no better way to advance a career than by living abroad. Those who take the risk and go global will understand the world better than anyone else and be rewarded for it in their careers—and in their personal lives.

But if you need specific reasons, here are a few to consider:

-Career Advancement/Career Reinvention

As an expat, you will bring unique skills to your new country by virtue of being different. In Switzerland, well-educated native English speakers are in high demand at international companies and you may find a challenging opportunity that wouldn’t exist in your home country—even if you first arrive as the trailing spouse like I did. And if you don’t, you many find yourself reinventing your career. That’s not a bad thing, either.

-Travel

To live in a new part of the world means it is right there for you to explore. And if you live in a country like Switzerland, which borders five other countries, travel is easy. Instead of seeing things as a tourist, you learn about them as a local and you also learn to travel as a local would. In Europe, this means traveling longer, at a more relaxed pace, and by taking public transportation. Americans that go abroad will likely enjoy more vacation time (up to double or triple the time) than they’ve ever known.

-Language

There is no better way to learn a language than become immersed in it. Granted, learning a language in Switzerland (with four official ones and many more dialects) has its own unique challenges, but for those who are up to them, it’s possible to become fluent with enough time and effort.

-No “what ifs”

This is probably the biggest reason I moved abroad. I never wanted to think, “what if?” Because when given the opportunity, I knew that if I didn’t take it I would always think, “what if?” And that’s not something I wanted to always have to ask myself.

Did you go global? If so, what were your reasons for going abroad?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

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by Chantal Panozzo

Loneliness. Even the most outgoing expat is going to have their moments. One of the hardest things about living abroad is being far from former support groups like family and friends. Here are five ways to help you fight isolation abroad:

-Write a blog. I’ve written about the benefits of blogging before, but writing a blog can make you feel like you’re part of a larger community and can also lead to making friends.If you live in Switzerland, Swiss Expat Bloggers is an organization of over 100 expats that blog. All you have to do to join is start a blog.

-Join a club. Maybe you don’t speak the local language so joining a local club, music group, or sports team may be difficult. But there are plenty of expat organizations that welcome new members. For a good list of clubs in Switzerland, visit the the Swiss News listing on their website.

-Invite your neighbor over. Many Swiss people will wait until you come to them first. They might be secretly hoping to meet you, but you’ll never know until you go knock. And don’t worry about your language skills. When my neighbor and I get together, we keep the German-English dictionary close by. Getting to know the people you live near is key to feeling more at home.

-Take a language class. There are many ways to learn a language without spending money on a class. But if you take a class you’ll meet a group of people and feel a sense of belonging. This can help with fighting isolation while also allowing you to gain the skills necessary to make you feel less foreign in the long run.

-Get a job or volunteer. Getting a job—even a part-time one—can help you become part of the community in a way many of the above just can’t. Most likely, you’ll meet international people as well as locals and gain insights into a culture that only a foreign office can provide.

How do you fight isolation abroad?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

I have been an Expat now for 9 months which is enough time to gestate something.  In these nine months I have met a lot of people, mostly Expats, and have learned a lot about our “club”.  With any grouping of people, you can separate folks out by their “type” and in doing so, I have identified 5 of the Expat variety:

1. I am an Expat, get me out of here! – This is not a reality show replacing the celebrity version and quite frankly, I am embarrassed that I know there is a celebrity version (”celebrity” used loosely here, this show consisted of every Baldwin brother but Alec).  This Expat wanted to go home a year ago, lives for the day they can purchase their one way ticket  and constantly hums “Leaving on a Jet Plane”.  There are likely a variety of reasons for this Expat’s mental state but the most common one is quite general: they are “stick a fork in my temple- DONE” and this person isn’t afraid to let you know it.  They have spent all of their available Expat mental equity and home to this person is a giant, comfy Snuggie.

2. The Comfortably Numb – This Expat has a solid plan to go home, likely has a date in mind, has seen what they came to see and did what they intended to do.  All that is left is time and they are such Expat pros that they go through the motions with a bratwurst in one hand and a bar of chocolate in the other.  They aren’t overwhelmingly positive or negative about their experience.  They are somewhat rooted, as rooted as an Expat can be, but still can’t call their host country home.  This person is likely good at taking newer Expats under their wing and I liken them to a Dormitory RA- a person who is responsible (person most likely to not funnel a beer), wise (a 5th year Senior willing to help out a Freshman) and not easily impressed (seen enough booze stained togas made out of flowered sheets to last them a lifetime).

3. Temporary but Loving It – I feel most Expats fall into this category.  They know for certain someday, in the somewhat near future, they are going home. At the same time they are totally into the experience still.  This Expat has been here a while and knows how to get around, has traveled a good bit but is still up for more.  They have likely planted some shallow roots and feel very positive about their experience.

4. No End in Sight – This Expat knows somewhere in the corner of their Medulla Oblongata that the move isn’t permanent but has no idea when it will end.  They haven’t done nearly what they set out to do and may still  be in awe of the whole experience.  This Expat likely wants the experience to feel a little bit more stable and the unknown sort of freaks them out.

5. The Renouncer- Much to the chagrin of their host country, this person has no plans to leave…ever.  They dress in their host countries colors and instead of walking to the tram stop, they twirl towards it like Julie Andrews on a grassy mountain top.  They dream of shredding their passport while ceremoniously burning their home country’s flag.  There is a certain Big Foot mystique to this type as you have heard they exist, but have yet to come face to face with one.

Of course typing a person has its flaws and depending on what type of day you just had, you could easily bounce from a “Renouncer” to a “Baldwin brother”.  While I have had some days that test me, I can honestly say I am a pretty consistent “No End in Sight-er” right now.  My husband and I have not even scratched the surface of what we came here to do and see but at the same time we know we won’t be trading in our US passports.

So what type are you?  Have you discovered another type that I have yet to identify?  Do you think typing is hooey and that I have way too much time on my hands?

Photo by Kathy of Two Fools in Zurich Blog

By Chantal Panozzo

Living in Switzerland can be challenging when it comes to learning a language—especially for those in the Swiss-German speaking region. And like most things in Switzerland, language classes can be prohibitively expensive. So what’s an overwhelmed expat to do? Actually, there are many ways to learn a language—without spending much money.

One. Watch TV. Pick a show that will use language in a way that’s not overwhelming. A good example in German is Bauer Sucht Frau. This show is all about farmers looking for love. The language is simple because people are meeting each other (think Chapter 1 of a German book with a little more spice) and subtitles often sum up what people are saying. Many reality shows are good for this reason.

Two. Rent a movie. Another way to learn is to rent or buy a movie that you know well (think a movie you can practically quote—for me, this would be The Sound of Music) and watch it in the language you’re trying to learn. Just try not to be thrown off by the unfamiliar voice coming out of your favorite actor’s mouth.

Three. Language exchange. There are always locals that want to improve their English and will gladly speak their language with you in return. Message boards are often filled with people looking to swap languages.

Four. Don’t switch to English. This sounds obvious, but it is easy to do, especially when the person you’re trying to speak German or French to switches to English first. While the cashier, train conductor, or storekeeper changes to English, continue in their language. As a native English speaker, sometimes you have to fight to speak foreign. Don’t give in.

Five. Read. Some of the best things to start reading are the local freebie papers like 20 Minuten or Blick am Abend. These are like the German equivalent of Star Magazine. Lots of photos and graphics to help you and your comprehension out. And a little gossip never hurt anyone. Especially when it’s being used for educational reasons.

What has helped you learn a language in Switzerland?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

My husband likes to use our chalkboard to express his appreciation of our experience.

Gah, I really hate the term “Trailing Spouse”.  I am not a card carrier for the “I am Woman Hear me Roar” club but this particular term implies so much, while describing so little about who I am and why I chose to become an Expat.  Yes, I chose this lifestyle so there is no use in complaining about it, but in reality there are pretty strong emotions that come with choosing not to work.  In American culture your career is one barometer gauging your success as a person so when that one measurement is taken away it feels sorta weird, almost like you are living in some strange alternate reality or universe.  There are a whole slew of emotions that a Trailing Spouse must reconcile and I have a few tips I would like to share so hopefully you make it through the transition unscathed:

1. Throw Your Guilt into a Frying Pan- Guilt is Mental Ebola which seeps into all of your thoughts and comes out of all of your pores.  Even though my husband and I decided together that I would trail while he worked, I couldn’t help but feel there was an inequity stemming from who contributed what and how.  Imagine your partner is a frying pan, talking to your partner about your guilt is the heat source and your guilt is some really tasty bacon.  I found great comfort in talking to my frying pan which made my guilt sizzle, subsequently allowing us to eat the hell out of it, leaving no trace of the its existence.  When you talk to your working partner, you may find out what I did: You gave up a lot to be here, you do all the other things that contribute to the success of your partnership, your partner appreciates what you have sacrificed and without you, there is no Expat experience.  You add value and even though it can’t be deposited into your UBS account, it is deposited somewhere- in the bank of Expat Success.

2. Get Connected- I found what I missed most about working wasn’t the paycheck, rather the feeling that I was part of something.  Originally I had planned to take a couple months to get acquainted with my new city, get the apartment in order and enjoy my free time.  I quickly learned solitary living wasn’t for me as I found that my very white apartment walls started to feel like a giant straight jacket, I began to speak in tongues and cried hysterically during German narrated nature shows…those animals are so damned cute.  As a result, I started intensive German class a month early. Find a club, a class, volunteer work, something that will enable you to connect with others on a consistent basis and you too will feel like a part of society again.

3. Do That Hobby or Thing you Never had Time for- I realized the other day that somehow I feel busier without a job.  How did I manage this?  I got off my butt and started doing things I have always wanted to do but never had time for.  I love to cook so now I experiment a lot more, I spend tons of time with my doggies, I BLOG, I read other people’s blogs, I meet people for lunch, I just do stuff.  Once you get past the guilt of not earning an income, it frees you up to explore other valuable things life has to offer.

4. Embrace your Inner Expat- I mean, really hug the living poo out of it…every single day.  You and your partner worked hard to get here, but with any opportunity, you can forget how special it is and take it for granted.  Inevitably, your host country doesn’t have that new car smell anymore and life is life again.  It is up to you to remember why you are here and to appreciate what an amazing opportunity it is.  Just look at the picture above for some inspiration.

I was going to list a #5- Get a Job- but I figured this post was about surviving as a Trailing Spouse.  At the end of the day, you are experiencing what people can only dream of, so get used to it and try to love every minute of it.  I assure you that if you try any of the tips mentioned above, you will not only survive but flourish during this experience.

Happy Trails!

When Zurich based Hausfrau Kristi isn’t busy stuffing her face with chocolate, she enjoys writing her own blog From A to Z.

The Grandhotel Giessbach

by Chantal Panozzo

Like most Americans, I’m into lists. I’ve got the book, 1,000 Things to See Before You Die, and last night, I decided to highlight the places in this book that I’ve been to. And it got me thinking. What would I recommend for Switzerland? So here they are: The 10 Things Every Expat Should Do in Switzerland before They Leave.

One: Zermatt. Duh. Zermatt is to Switzerland what the Eiffel Tower is to France. It’s the icon of the country and deservedly so. In fact, it’s so stunning, I would visit at least once in the summer and once in the winter.

Two: Hiltl Restaurant. Not only does this place have a nice, laid-back vibe, but it’s also got some of the best food you’ll eat in Switzerland. It’s also the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Europe.

Three: A hike through the mustard fields in May. Every May, gorgeous fields of yellow dot the Swiss countryside. One of my favorite spots to enjoy them is near the village of Wettington.

Four: A night at the Grandhotel Giessbach. I’m a cheapskate, but this hotel is worth a night for its fabulous setting. One side waterfall, one side Lake Brienz, one side forest, one side speechless.

Five: Narcissus fields above Montreux in May. Part of the fun is the hunt to find these fields, as you typically must hike to find them.

Six: Mt. Rigi. The classic Swiss mountain train experience. Views at Rigi Kulm are fantastic and hiking trails cover the entire mountain.

Seven: Sechselaeuten in Zurich. This year on April 19. They set a snowman on fire and celebrate when he explodes. Need I say more?

Eight: A Swiss Spa. Whether you fancy a luxurious experience in Vals or a historic swim in Baden, you should take advantage of a Swiss spa.

Nine: A Slow Up event. Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, don’t miss biking with thousands of other Swiss through the countryside, no cars allowed.

Ten: Lake Thun boat ride. Possibly the most scenic lake in Switzerland, it’s sprinkled with fairy-tale castles.

Agree with these? What would you recommend?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.

Here’s a list of twenty-five reasons you know you’re in Switzerland:

• You spend $70 for a pitcher of Margaritas and $25 for two tacos with Emmentaler cheese. Beans and rice cost extra.
• Someone says something to you in German, you answer back in English, and everything is understood.
• Your choice of food at a festival is sausage or sausage.
• The train is so punctual that you miss it.
• When you agree to meet someone at 7 p.m., you wait outside their apartment door until the clock dings seven times before ringing their bell.
• You stop hearing the street sweeper.
• You stop hearing the clock tower.
• You stop hearing the church bells.
• You start kissing people on the cheek three times to say “hello.”
• You would never even think of resting your feet on a train seat.
• You keep trash in locked bins.
• You eat potatoes at least once a day.
• You realize cranes are as much a part of the landscape as church towers.
• You study construction schedules, memorize them, and quote them to your neighbor.
• You pick up after your dog.
• You worry about what you wear to the grocery store.
• You carry plastic bottles and glass around town like a bag lady.
• You don’t mind paying more for Swiss Made.
• Every other country you visit seems cheap.
• You would never do your laundry on a Sunday.
• You get excited when the sun comes out.
• You sit outside at restaurants in the winter.
• You eat 12 kilos of chocolate a year and don’t gain a pound.
• You spend your Sundays in the mountains with hiking sticks.
• You buy milk in warm boxes and think nothing of it.

These are the ways I know I’m in Switzerland. How about you?

Chantal Panozzo is a writer in Switzerland who has written for a variety of publications on two continents. She’s the author of One Big Yodel, a blog about life in Switzerland and moving abroad, and also discusses living abroad as a freelancer at Writer Abroad.