I've been looking at this forum for a few months and I can't thank everyone enough for all of the wonderful information.
I am a 27 year old transferring soon from Indianapolis to Basel to work at a pharmaceutical company. I am also getting married and following my soon to be wife will be joining me to spend our first few years together in Switzerland.
We are very excited but my fiance is very nervous as she may not be able to work. I would love to get involved and meet some other young folks/couples who are looking for the same.
I'd love to hear from anyone in a similar situation. Cheers!
Hello Hoosier, allow me to pre-welcome you to Basel!
There are quite a few English-speaking folks here as there are a few international companies (particularly some pharma) which use English as their main working language. In addition to there being plenty of us, it also means that we are a fairly wide range of ages and backgrounds, from all over the world.
Take a peek down at the Social Events section of the Forum, there is quite a variety of things going on from running groups to book clubs, dining out experiences, drinks and more. The weather's been a bit odd so we've not seen as much of the winter activity as one may think but outdoor activities definitely start getting a bit more prevalent as the seasons grow warmer anyhow.
Please do reassure your fiance that there is work to be had, of course, it depends upon her field though as well as what her language skills are. Being fluent in German (as well as English) here certainly increases the options which may be available.
Using myself as example, all of my work experience is customer service and health (I worked in an optical shop / laboratory in the US) so lack of German has things on hold for me for now.
Good luck to you both and best wishes to you for your coming wedding as well!
She has a teaching degree & reading accredidations from a Top 10 American University and has been teaching elementary school for the past two years. I'm hoping she can find something along those lines although I'm a little worried about what her visa will allow her to do or not do. Neither of us speak German but are taking classes!
I will be sure to check out the event board! Thanks for the well wishes.
Hi Hoosier, and welcome to the EF! Welcome soon to Switzerland ...
Definitely get into the Social Events section, to get an idea of what's available! As for your fianceĢ's ability to work, you'll just have to take that as it comes ... are you on a B or L permit? If a B, she should be able to get some work once you're married ... if L, she'll have to get an employer to jump through the work permit hoops for her.
We live in Basel and moved two and a half ago in almost the same situation that you are moving in. We got married 2 months before the move and then came here knowing nothing about Switzerland and absolutely No German. I work at a BIG Pharma and my wife was a Language & Program Trainer in Customer Service. She's building up her German before she attempts to jump back in the rat race.
If you get a B permit then you your wife will also get one when you are married which will allow her to work here. Like 'araqyl' mentioned, if it's an L permit it will be complicated but can be done if you have your company's support.
Give us a shout when you are here if you need help.
I just thought I would give a little input because for one I am also a young American (a very proud Texan) woman who ONLY moved to Switzerland to follow her husband (he is Swiss) I too was very nervous about not finding a job, cause quite frankly I go crazy without one and as most women do, take the frustration out on their husbands. See where I am going with this? Anyhow, if possible I would like to get intouch with your wife, considering it will be much harder for her to intergrate since you will be out to work most of the day and she will be stuck at home...in a foreign country, with no friends around, and not familiar with the language. (This is just an assumption) But I can tell you first hand how very difficult it can be for us women., but I can also tell you the positives.
I just wondered if you had arrived in Basel yet and if so what you thought? My husband and I are in a similar situation and are of a similar age to you. I am considering a job with a Pharma Co and my husband is a teacher. We are both from the uk and neither of us speak German. We are in two mind whether to make the move or not and are coming over for a visit this weekend. The job opportunity seems good and the standard of living is clearly much better than in the UK, but I have a few slight concerns including will my husband find a job and will there be enough for us to do. We are quite a lively couple and enjoy socializing with friends in bars and restaurants and would want to be able to keep that kind of lifestyle if we moved.
Anyone's thoughts would be grately appreciated :-)!
Well, for your husband (and any other teacher with work permit) it would be obvious to try at the international Schools - there are a couple of them around Basel. Private language schools are also big thing, and English much wanted.
If you know French that will help a lot in daily life; as Basel is on the border it is widely understood.
For the OP: Consider getting married, it makes things much easier. I know it sounds unromantic...