Being Spanish in Switzerland
About Asun Fernandez Pacheco
Asun is a nice, open-minded woman who respects others. She has been privileged enough to be able to travel and see how physical appearance doesn’t tell the whole story. Her identity has sometimes shaped how she has been judged by others. She feels very grateful and privileged to be both Spanish and accepted as a member of Swiss society.
What has traveling given you to keep?
[Thanks to traveling I have obtained] a bigger perspective on life and about the world around me. Thanks to that, I can educate my children on the world and give them a larger vision about the earth”.
Has being Spanish ever been a target identity? Or have you ever not felt incorporated into society because of your nationality?
“I noticed I have been judged because I am Spanish and for that reason, they think you're loud, that you're less formal and sometimes the Spanish image can play a negative role”.
What has made you feel incorporated into society? What skills came or come still to this day handy ?
“Nevertheless, I have always tried to be kind and educated. This has always played a role in my image although the negative I have been able to avoid that stereotype”.
Do you have a lot of experiences that went from stereotype to quite a good relationship?
Actually yes “for example, the first time I went to England, I was 15. A family took me in as a college exchange student. They didn't know anything about Spain. I explained the culture of my origin, and explained how my family worked and all beliefs that I have learned from my parents in detail. After a while we became friends and they loved my culture and they loved learning more”.
““Talk to the person to prove a point why you should think like that.””
“I believe that in a very close future women [will] have equal rights and that sexism [will] stop .”
-Asun Fernandez Pacheco
How do you think it is easiest to establish a relationship with someone from a different nation, country or religion ?
“ I think it is the knowledge that requires time to know someone well. ”. “It also depends on the other person's interest to learn and for them to have an intention to be open-minded to learn.It will not only depend on your attitude and your perception of the other person that is judging you”.
Has work ever made conflict erupt because of your gender and what you have to do and what you don't?
“Actually, no. I have not been discriminated against, only I have noticed some clients that I had…had a perception very different about women and maybe wrong in that sense. He had a misception about women in general and Spanish women because in Spain we have a more liberal vision. I once argued about what role a woman should play. I think women [where he is from] have a less predominant role. I hope this has changed. Because I have been lucky enough to live in a household where I have had the right to talk. The base is your parents but your beliefs and values are what make you and form you”.
