But do you know what - they both came back.............
I have time to do things that I've wanted to do - write, read, finish an important project. My husband is happy in his job, we love where we live and we have a lot of time to spend together, travel, and so on. We feel more relaxed, less stressed, no longer like hamsters on a wheel. Even the dog is more relaxed. And we don't have a lot of material stressors - no immigration issues, etc.
It's not perfect - nowhere is, really. It takes more time to do some things here - part of it is cultural, and part of it is a barrier with the language. But some of the slowness is really very pleasant. I miss my friends and my family, and some "stuff." But I also learn to work around it - I have new friends here, and new "stuff," and I try to improve my German, while I still keep in touch with, and see my old friends and family whenever I can.
When we moved here, we viewed it as an opportunity, rather than something we had to do - it was a choice, after all. That's made a big difference, I think.
For me the low point was about three weeks after I got here. I'd landed an apartment, and soon after found myself standing in Migros Löwenplatz, trying to guess from the pictures what was laundry soap, fabric softener, bleach or automatic dishsoap - knowing I'd just have to walk 20 feet and repeat the process with sink cleaner, window cleaner and general-purpose spray cleaner. Couldn't just walk over and ask someone, because I hadn't got the memo that Swiss people learn English in school.
It sounds ridiculous now, but at the time getting on a plane back to the US and changing my dissertation topic genuinely seemed preferable to finishing my shopping. I felt frustrated, homesick and utterly isolated.
(I'm still here though so you can guess what happened. I went back to my apartment, had a good cry, looked up a bunch of words in the dictionary and tackled Migros again the next day.)
Where did u move from?
And thanks, this positive is supporting me and allow myself to move forward.
The fact that I have a wife and two kids, and I can't just throw in the towel. Don't have enough money in the bank to live off savings for a while (especially here). Looking for jobs, working my network, sending out resumes, and doing what I can, but no offers yet. Hence still here.
How long have you been here?
Was in Germany for nine years before moving here, so the
"culture shock" wasn't much to speak of. Originally from the mainland-48.
For a while there, before Switzerland, I spent some nights in tight spaces;
even shared a compact car parking space with three other people for over
three months.
Question for you VVV, why are you looking for our life's experience? To
help you in your decisions to stay here or not? You mention our supportive
comments... why? Let your own experiences help you decide. Just because
others have it rough does not mean you will... the other way too; just
because some have it good....
PS: My dream/goal has come true since moving to Switzerland. So, you can
imagine the emotional-bond I have with Switzerland. (Oh, some may use
that comment to their advantage )
I love the job that I am going to work with, I think that is a great opportunity for my future career development, I am very excited about it, and I am looking forward to it. But from negtive side: I am leaving alone, I am risking my relationship by being long distance, the closer to the moving date, the more depressed I am, sometimes, I thought that I am too selfish, asking too much from life, there is nothing bad in my current life now, and what more do I want, is that happiness not enough?
Anyway, my own ****ty thoughts, and here in EF, I just want to share people's thoughts, maybe some had same experiences, I know I am going to though it anyway, and I know that other's story wouldn't help my own problem, but I feel more confidence about my decision, feel balance when I see positive words. Sometimes, people need to be cheered up
Thanks for all
If you approach in a positive manner and not be dragged down by what you are leaving behind, you will be fine. Plenty of people here to entertain you.
dave