I am a high school student in America who will graduate in the year 2021. Ever since visiting Switzerland some time ago, my dream has been to live there. What should I choose to study in order to eventually get a job there? I am aiming for moving to Switzerland after I complete my Bachelor’s and Master’s in the US, as well as some basic practice. Help is much appreciated!!! Also, I can speak Spanish.
Hello,
It is very difficult for non-EU nationals to get work/residence permits. There is a fixed quota and a lot of competition for those. An exceptions to this rule is the UN (and other international) organisations in Geneva. Of course their 'permits' are tied to the job.
Find an employer that will sponsor you but note that they likely will be required to prove they couldn't find a Swiss resident to do that job.
Or you could marry a Swiss.
Well, the good news is that you have formed your ambition early, so you have plenty of time to do something about it - because time is what you need in spades.
The first would be to learn German or French (German is better because that is the language spoken in the useful parts of Switzerland). I wouldn't bother with Italian because they only speak it in the Sub-Saharan parts of the country.
Alongside your assiduous language studies, you should get into banking or pharmaceuticals or something like that. Or watchmaking. Something the Swiss do really well, but don't have enough locals qualified to do it.
Work for a couple of decades and make yourself indispensable, then get yourself transferred over here.
Enjoy the thought of that for a few minutes, because Medea Fleecestealer will be along shortly to shatter all your dreams.
Good luck!
BSEE worked for me!
Tom
You've got mad cow disease?
It's always been that way for US persons, and until recently was also the case for EU.
Thus, it's certainly possible.
I did it.
Tom
In my opinion the best route for you is:
1 - Do your bachelors in the USA while studying German on the side
2 - Do you Masters in Switzerland. That will give you a very important foot on the door. Non-EU that got Swiss university degrees have an advantageous treatment while looking for a job.
I second the idea of getting a masters here in Switzerland. I’m an American who married a Swiss, didn’t plan to live here but love had other ideas. I have a dual bachelors in English and French, private teaching experience, retail and food service experience and I speak Spanish and a little German on top of my fluent french.
No jobs for me, not even in retail or food service. I’ve “only” been looking for a year. Thankfully my permit isn’t based on my working ability but on the fact that I’m married, or I never would have been able to stay in the first place.
So yes, I’d highly recommend whatever you choose to study, plan to try for your masters here. And work on language skills, either German or French, preferably some of both, and Spanish won’t necessarily do you much here.
You should study the subject/field that interests you, where you have the passion necessary to be successful.
That's not just airy-fairy pap. The world of work is changing fast, industries where Switzerland lacks expertise today may disappear tomorrow - let alone as far down the road as you are looking.
A cautionary tale: IT. Back when we came here Switzerland was begging for not only top level niche expertise but also just basic competency. Today a number of those once-in-demand folks are unemployed. And today many entry to mid level jobs no longer exist or have moved to lower cost countries. The need for niche expertise remains, but which niche is needed has changed several times in the last decade or so.
So study what you find interesting enough to make a career anywhere in the world. Switzerland might happen, but it also might not. Eyes on the prize is a good thing, certainly - but education that is useful to you no matter what the winds of fate bring is far more important.
And as others have cautioned, be aware of the not insignificant roadblocks you will face as a non-EU citizen, and while you plan for your Swiss goal also make sure you have a Plan B.
Good luck with your studies, and beyond.
The non-EU hiring policy is here:
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…zulassung.html
Basically it’s not enough to have a degree, you’d need several years experience in your chosen field as well to even stand a chance.
Switzerland does have a law that says non-EU graduates from Swiss universities are on an equal footing when it comes to looking for work here after graduation - but this lasts for only 6 months.
Also bear in mind that these are the current laws. Things may well have changed by the time you graduate from high school/university.
Also note that you’d have continuing US tax filing obligations no matter where you live in the world.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/inte…-aliens-abroad
And getting a bank account here as an American is difficult since most banks won’t touch you with a barge pole. The situation may eventually improve, but that’s likely down to whatever the US may do regarding citizenship based taxation.
I never found that to be a problem.
Tom
As in, you didn't file US returns (and obviously now don't need to anyway), or you didn't mind filing them (and maybe even secretly enjoyed doing so)?
I filed them every year for 23 years (until I renounced).
Took 1/2 hour each year.
Tom
Thank you so much. I will definitely get my bachelor’s in America, but I think it would be hard getting into a Master’s program for medicine in Switzerland. Do any of you think I would need a sponsor from a hospital to do my residency in Switzerland if I decide to become a doctor?
It’s impossible to get into medicine here, the course is restricted. Only people who meet the following criteria may be accepted.
"Council Recommendation of universities on the admission of foreign applicants to medical studies in Switzerland of November 19, 2015
- With regard to admission to medical studies, the following foreign applicants are treated the same way as Swiss candidates:
a) nationals of Liechtenstein;
b) Established foreigners resident in Switzerland or Liechtenstein;
c) nationals of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland and Norway, which have in Switzerland a stay under the EU / EFTA marked “gainful activity” and may justify a professional activities closely with medical studies (Article 9, paragraph 3, Annex I ALCP…)
d) children, whatever their nationality, nationals of member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein in Switzerland if they have a residence permit as a member the family of an EU / EFTA citizens (article 3, paragraph 6, Annex I ALCP…);
e) foreigners domiciled in Switzerland whose parents are resident in Switzerland;
f) foreigners living in Switzerland who are married to a Swiss citizen or whose spouse is established in Switzerland for at least five years or in possession of a Swiss work permit for at least five years;
g) aliens domiciled in Switzerland holding a Swiss work permit for at least five years, respectively those domiciled in Switzerland whose parents have a Swiss work permit for at least five years;
h) foreign domiciled in Switzerland with a Swiss maturity certificate or maturity cantonal certificate recognized throughout Switzerland (according to the Federal Ordinance of 15 February 1995 fe-recognition of maturity certificates gymnasiale and the Rules of CDIP of 16 January 1995 on the recognition of certificates gymna-Siale maturity) or a professional maturity certificate completed by a certificate of additional tests (according to the Federal Ordinance of 19 December 2003 on the recon-naissance certificates of maturity professional for admission to Swiss universities);
i) children whose parents have diplomatic status in Switzerland;
j) refugees recognized by Switzerland.
- To be treated the same way as Swiss applicants, foreign applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
a) Foreign mentioned in s. 1 letter. a to i, must have documents establishing their right of access to medical studies at the latest the day of the registration period for medical studies set by Swissuniversities. The certificate of graduation can be subsequently filed.
b) The refugees mentioned in s. 1 letter. I must have applied for asylum in Switzerland later than the day of the registration deadline for medical studies set by Swissuniversities and be granted asylum on or before the last day of the registration period of the university in which they obtained a place of study.
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remain reserved general admission requirements of the University chosen by the candidate.
-
The recommendation of the CUS of 12 October 2006 is repealed."
As Medea points out, studying medicine in Switzerland is out for you as a non-EU. (You don't by chance have dual citizenship with an EU country, do you?)
But is your dream to become a doctor? If so, follow that dream even if it does not get you to Switzerland.
If you want to become a doctor, do so in the US or another country where you can get into medical school and speak the language.
I worry that you are making such an important choice based on having had a nice holiday in Switzerland. You are young, the rose coloured glasses and vague impractical dreams are to be expected at your age. But please understand that living in Switzerland - or anywhere - is very, very different to the experiences of a holiday. It is a country with good and bad - for some very good, for some very bad. It is not utopia.
Medical education is generally system-specific. If medicine is your passion, follow that passion, the world needs good doctors. But study where you intend to practice. Unfortunately that is not Switzerland.
But for doG's sake, do not chose a course of study simply because you think it might get you to Switzerland. Do not go into a profession that requires this level of passion and dedication if you do not have it. Medicine should not be a means to an end, it should be the goal itself.
Some more advice here: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/univers...&utm_content=o
If you are interested in Medicine have a look at the WHO in Geneva.