6 Months Down…Some Time to Go…
Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 5 Comments
I have reached the 6 months’ milestone of living in Switzerland. That is, if I don’t count the three weeks I just spent in Romania when I was fed as if I had come from a concentration camp or something. Apparently it’s time to lose weight. Ugh.
Aaaanyway…what I’ve learned so far: university here is much more ‘kick-ass’ than in Romania. You get in rather easily, selection processes are minimal, but it’s getting out that’s difficult. You work your bum off, but in the end, the diplomas are supposed to MEAN something to your employer, and not just be a piece of paper you forget in a drawer.
I’m having issues with the words ‘home’ and ‘here’. You see, I’m even having issues when it comes to talking to someone. Not that I forgot any language mind you, but that I start speaking in Romanian to Swiss people and in French to Romanians. I also now dream in English, French and Romanian. Interesting, huh?
I find out now more and more people want to go away from my country. Why? Probably because of the crisis, the lack of jobs and opportunities, the government, etc. But also, I find about their thoughts more quickly since I am seen as ‘the one who managed to leave’ and now apparently I can give advice for some reason. I can’t say I feel this way. Sometimes, I feel much more lost than I did when I was at home, planning it all.
It is also funny when I receive emails, messages, etc. with the same message: ‘I want to come to Switzerland. I don’t know any local language, I would like to study there and get a job on the side. Could you help me?’ . Well, unfortunately, there isn’t much help I CAN give. Just tell you that you should know at least one of their languages and be prepared to sustain yourself for 6 months before you will be allowed to get a job. Swiss law, mind you. Also, bear in mind it’s not easy. Getting a place to stay is virtually impossible without a permit, and getting a permit usually requires a long term accommodation. Vicious circle if you ask me. However, a certain job offer from here usually opens all the doors, to getting an apartment, a permit and everything else. It’s just that the Swiss are a tiny bit more eager to give their own people the jobs they have, instead of immigrants. However, I do believe it is possible. Hard, but not impossible.
All in all? I miss my friends at home, my family. But this is also home. I like feeling safe on the streets, I like the nice, polite people around me, I like it that now I get to meet people from different countries, backgrounds, cultures. It’s all so different and interesting.
Oh well, I’ll keep you posted 
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5 Responses to “6 Months Down…Some Time to Go…”
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March 25th, 2010 @ 17:03
> Aaaanyway…what I’ve learned so far: university here is much more ‘kick-ass’ than in Romania. You get in rather easily, selection processes are minimal, but it’s getting out that’s difficult. You work your bum off [...]
Se vede că nu ai făcut Politehnica
March 25th, 2010 @ 20:02
Cu tot respectul, am facut 2 facultati deodata, si le-am si terminat cu bine. As zice ca se apropie de Politehnică
March 26th, 2010 @ 00:05
Hai să nu comparăm mere cu pere
Ori comparăm o facultate cu alta, ori mai multe facultăți cu una singură. În orice caz ASE și SNSPA nu sunt renumite pentru dificultatea lor. Am terminat un master la ASE, deci se poate spune că vorbesc și din proprie experiență.
March 26th, 2010 @ 09:44
Ai dreptate. Pe de lata parte, conteaza mult si cum le faci. Si, oricum, nu e ca si cum toata lumea (eu adica) ar rezista sa faca Politehnica privind fie si numai prin prisma materiilor de acolo. Adica, pentru mine era imposibil numai ca idee, daramite sa ma chinui 4 ani.
In alta ordine de idei, unde faci studii in Elvetia acum? Sau am inteles eu prost
May 7th, 2010 @ 11:14
Bataie intre politehnica si ASE:))
“- Eu sunt trimisul lui Dumnezeu!” “Ba eu sunt trimisul lui Dumnezeu!”
Ma uit asa la voi si-mi vine sa vin cu Arhitectura si sa zic “Taceti ma, ca eu n-am trimis pe nimeni…”
Da’ de ce atata galceava?
A, si eu in Elvetia o sa studiez pe Matterhorn, la un moment dat, sper…:))