Being British in Switzerland
About Suzanne Shipton
This is about Suzanne Shipton’s English identity and her moving to Switzerland and how that has affected her and her family and the way she has changed.
How have people treated you differently because of your English and living in Switzerland? I don't feel like we've been treated differently. I suppose we're lucky in the way we live in Switzerland, it is a very International Community so people are used to families coming from other countries. I think the Swiss people are incredibly welcoming and respectful.
How have you changed since moving to Switzerland? I don't know that we've changed a huge amount. I think I feel more knowledgeable and experienced I suppose and it was so I think that I just feel a bit more confident. It was such a huge thing to move abroad that I feel more confident in trying new things.
How has this move impacted your husband? I think he feels very similar to me he had to give up his job in the UK I'm so that was made a big impact on him but he has also been the person who has done all of the managing of all moves and manages everything now that we're here so it's being huge refocus for him and I think he's looking forward to getting another job.
Photo Credit: Will Shipton
In Switzerland, how have people treated you differently because you are English and living in Switzerland? I don't feel like we've been treated differently. I suppose we're lucky in the way we live. Switzerland is a very International Community so people are used to families coming from other countries. I think the Swiss people are incredibly welcoming and respectful. We are very conscious that our German language skills are not very good and so we would feel more comfortable if we were able to speak more easily in the local language do you feel like you belong it doesn't feel like home yet if that's what you mean we moved here in July this year so it's only been 6 months friends of ours have told us it can take you to know a year or two to feel settled but we're happy we're enjoying the environment we're enjoying the unfortunate he's fact hiding from me is still in England when you came to Switzerland.
