Switzerland 🇨🇭

Anthony, 24

Born in Geneva, Switzerland

Came to Australia in November 2011

What is your occupation?

I work in Human Resources at Westpac but my dream is to be an educator one day, perhaps in the music industry. I’d like to start my own business after learning different teaching methodologies; I feel like I’d thrive in an environment where both the students and I have great autonomy about their own learning progress.

I am currently studying Music Performance at JMC Academy and previously studied a Bachelor of Psychology at Australian Catholic University.

Why did you come to Australia?

We first came here on a family trip to visit my uncle, who had immigrated here to be with his Australian wife. His high-profile work allowed him to immigrate here without too many dramas; he could choose what country he wanted to move to.

While we were en route to Cairns, my parents spontaneously pondered about potentially moving here. Being just 13, I decided to go with the flow. We’ve moved here and haven’t looked back since!

What do you like about Sydney?

I enjoy the pace of life here; it’s not overly quick like New York but not monotonously slow either.

Australians tend to work to live whereas this wasn’t the case when I was briefly working at a consulting firm in Zurich. I tended to be shunned upon by senior colleagues when I asked questions, and I definitely prefer the Australian working culture.

I admire how Australia is a very egalitarian society. Most people I meet tend to be very open-minded, kind and sociable. During a thunderstorm a few days ago, I was assisted by a complete stranger after my umbrella had flipped inside out. It’s the mateship of Australians that stands out after living in Europe.

What don’t you like about Sydney?

I don’t really like bogans. They’re backwards, superficial and just annoy me in general. Mind you, I am nitpicking there and every country has people like that, people who don’t think critically.

The traffic is insane here. My partner drives and I can tell that there are a lot of incompetent drivers.

I’m not a big fan of the government as they come off as too capitalistic and short-sighted at times. For example, they’re planning to demolish the housing commissions in Glebe in order to construct new residential housing. You have to consider everyone’s needs.

What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?

Know what’s important on a societal level.

We should be driving community growth initiatives as I feel like there’s a disconnect growing within Western societies.

Think about what’s morally right and ensure that your actions represent those values.

What languages do you speak?

Swiss German, French, English, Russian

Swiss German isn’t the same as Standard German spoken in Germany: there are many words and phrases that Germans wouldn’t understand.

My French is at a native level because that was my first language.

One of my ex-girlfriends was Russian so I know a tiny bit of that.

Vietnamese is next on my language-learning list as I’m currently dating a Vietnamese girl.

Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.

Chuchi Kaestli

Kitchen cupboard

We often joke at the Germans’ pronunciation of this Swiss-German word as they cannot pronounce it correctly.

What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?

Switzerland has four official languages: French, Italian, German and Romansh. Romansh is considered the “hidden” language of Switzerland as it’s only really spoken in one canton of Switzerland, the Grisons.

Swiss shops are closed on Sunday. It’s considered a sacred day where people are supposed to relax and go to church. By law, it’s illegal to mow the lawn, do any noisy DIY, and even hang out your laundry.

Who is the most famous person in your native country?

Roger Federer

When I first came to Australia, people asked me if I played tennis or knew Roger Federer. I was a short, chubby kid at the time and just shrugged off their questions.

What is the best dish in your native country?

Fondue

It’s a Swiss melted cheese dish served in a communal pot over a portable stove heated with a candle or spirit lamp and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks.

I miss it a lot but can’t have it anymore as I converted to veganism at the beginning of the year.

Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.