Q & A WITH EMMA AND OLIVIA ABOUT THEIR NEW SWISS LIFE!

Wow, it has officially been three weeks since the start of our new Swiss life in Basel, Switzerland. After ten long days in quarantine, we jumped full throttle back into normal life. The girls started back at school and they have learned so much already in their short time there. My amazing friend, Laurie, from Greensboro, NC, recommended that I write a post asking the girls’ about their new life here (Thank you, Laurie).

1. What is the difference in transportation to your new school compared to your old school in NC?  Emma: At Northern, you had to get up earlier and take the school bus or drive. In Basel, you have to take a city bus and not get up too early.  Olivia: I walk and take a bus. 

In the morning, we walk to the bus stop and hop on the bus. Gregg and I both have a transportation pass for the tram or bus all around Basel, which costs 80 CHF a month per person. For the girls, we had to pay 30 CHF for the entire year on a junior pass that is valid as long as they travel with one of us. The bus drops off a block away from school and it only takes us between 10-15 minutes.

2. What’s the deal with shoes in school?  Emma: We have to wear boots because it’s cold. Also, we have inside shoes in school which are different than the ones that we wear to school. Olivia: We have to wear inside shoes inside and change into outdoor shoes for outside. 

Switzerland is very big on indoor and outdoor shoes. When in school, the girls are expected to wear shoes that they only use indoors, which are currently pink crocs. When it is time to go out for recess, they change back into the shoes that they wore to school. During PE, they have other sneakers that are only used inside for PE. Yes, that’s three pairs of shoes per kid.

3. What’s it like on a German day at school? Emma: The teacher speaks German most of the day. It’s kind of hard to understand.  Olivia: It’s hard because I don’t understand the teacher. But, she does help me. 

Emma and Olivia go to an International School. The days are split between English and German. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they have German days with a German teacher. On Tuesday and Thursday, they have English days with an English teacher.

4. Do most of your friends at school speak English?  Emma: Yes! Everyones does! Olivia: All of them do! 

Most of the Swiss children at school speak English already. Emma had a birthday party this past weekend at a horse-riding school. The instructor spoke to the other girls in German, and then they translated it to English for Emma. It was adorable to see them caring for their new friend after only a few days of school together.

5. What is your favorite part of your new school?  Emma: My new friends are nice to me.  Olivia: Meeting new friends and new teachers.

After being away from most of their friends for the past six months due to Covid, the girls were just so happy to be around other kids. It’s amazing to see their little faces light up when they tell me about their friends or the latest game they played at recess.

6. What do you like most about Switzerland?  Emma: It’s really pretty, and I like being in a city, too.  Olivia: It’s very pretty and apartments are fun to live in. 

We have absolutely loved wandering around this town. It is full of old town charm and architecture. The views from the Rhine river are so pretty as well. We cannot wait to explore Switzerland more.

7. What is the biggest difference that you have noticed in living in Switzerland?  Emma: I’m living in an apartment instead of a house.  Olivia: It’s a city and we have to be quiet in our apartment. 

There are so many differences between living in Switzerland and living the US! Some of the ones that stick out most to me include trash and recycling. In Basel-Stadt (Basel city), you have to buy trash bags at the grocery store. They charge 23 CHF (or $25 USD) for a set of ten 30L bags. Recycling takes a lot to figure out … cardboard and paper gets picked up once a month, plastic bottles need to be dropped off at grocery stores, and aluminum cans and glass are taken to recycling centers. Other differences include: everything being closed on Sundays including many of the grocery stores, towel heaters in the bathrooms, and assigned laundry days in an apartment building.

We are really enjoying our European adventure, and we hope to see more of this beautiful country soon. What other questions do you have for us? Thank you for wandering along with us!