Relocate to Switzerland from the USA?

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vitaminpez

I moved from NYC to Zurich at the age of 23.
In order to move to Switzerland (CH) to work you must first obtain a work visa. This can be done with varying rates of difficulty.
I went mainly to travel and learn a new language so I got myself the easiest visa to obtain -- as an aupair teaching English to children.
A Bachelor's may be fine, but it depends on your field of study. The Swiss will make sure to try to find a Swiss to fill the job before taking a foreigner. If you have a very specialized field of study it would certainly be easier for you.
I got to know many foreigners living in CH. Most of them had moved there with the intention of staying for a period of 1 year. Three years later they still were not ready to go home. Others have moved there and want to go home within 6 months. If you are independent, easy going people you will love it.
It is a little expensive, but the pay rates make it even out a bit. Plus you automatically get 4 weeks of vacation (not what we are used to in the States.)
Americans are not treated badly (or thought of negatively either) generally speaking. There are many other European countries that think much less of us. The culture is not that much different. They are a little bit more relaxed about things there, a little less materialistic, but otherwise very much the same.
As I said, the hardest part would be to find a job that will sponsor you for a work visa, but as long as one of you gets one, your spouse and/or children do not need to apply separately.
Good luck in your search. If you can manage it, it really is a wonderful experience being there and a beautiful country.

lananas1988

I've stayed in Switzerland for long periods of time but never actually lived there so to speak. I can answer your questions though.
*It's a bit of a culture shock because you won't see fast food chains and convenience stores everywhere like you do here. There are no malls, but small stores and boutiques. Everything except restaurants are closed on Sundays, and everything closes by 4-6pm every night, except restaurants/cafes. Everything closes for two hours in the afternoon, 12-2 then opens again. (Restaurants excluded)
*Everyone doesn't hate Americans, but if you walk around thinking you're better than everyone, or expect everyone to cater to you by speaking English then of course people aren't going to like you. The Swiss are friendly, but they know when you aren't Swiss. I have friends from Germany who live in Switzerland, and even they are treated differently because the people know they aren't Swiss.
*Living IS very expensive as it is in all European countries. Groceries, gas, clothing, restaurants, etc. are a lot more than they here because everything is taxed very highly in Switzerland. You will make more money than you do here, but only because everything is so highly priced there. Taxes in your pay are brutal too, and medicine is socialized there so part of it goes towards that.
*I'm not sure about the US B.A., I assume it's worth something there because otherwise no one would be going to other counries if they ahd to re take college in that country. I'm sure you don't have to go to a university there, but learning other languages is a must for any occupation there.

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