Arriving in Switzerland I must admit, was quite a wonderful surprise. I was immersed into a diverse culture and got to meet wonderful new people. My first days in Switzerland were nothing else but a great deal of surprises !!

When I first arrived in Schaffhausen I was eager to join the very cosmopolitan student crowd and the supportive community existing here. It was great getting to know the international students as well as the local people. Whilst it was difficult to understand the local people, as they have quite a thick accent and tend to pronounce words differently than in German, it incentivised me to learn Swiss German in order to fit in with the locals.

About  4 years ago, my Family and I were relocated from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Switzerland and I was able to find a spot in ISSH to continue studying. From 17 million inhabitants to 60,000 in Schaffhausen, from a place where you follow strict safety rules to a wonderland of freedom, from a rather polluted and high traffic area to the oxygenated mountain of Switzerland, this transition was rather abruptly pleasant !!! Of course I miss now my Brazilian friends, the Churrascaria (local BBQ), the beautiful beaches and the vibrant Sao Paulo – but I also discovered great new things! 

Freedom 

I really enjoyed my new life with no boundaries. Being able to go out at night without the thought of potentially being mugged or to take a late train – this feeling of living in a safe place is really reassuring. In addition, the locals are delightful and give you good logistic directions in case you are lost or unaware of the train/bus times.

Beautiful scenery

Hiking in the mountains was new for me and Switzerland has so much to offer in terms of hiking activities. Being in quite a rural part of the country in my first years in Switzerland I often found my family and I leaving for the weekend in order to hike. These hikes are extremely rewarding as you are gifted with extraordinary views of Switzerland’s countryside which is a very underrated destination. I would recommend leaving for your hikes in the afternoon as you can therefore enjoy a picnic dinner atop a mountain in front of a mesmerising sunset! 

17 CHF for a movie, really ???

What of course struck me upon arrival (like probably most of you) is the cost of living.

I was used to small, cheap food stalls in Brazil and found out at my expense that even fast food is horribly expensive in CH. This truthfully however is the only downside towards Switzerland. 

Great public transport system

One of the best qualities Switzerland has to offer is its public transport, especially in Schaffhausen. I still remember how trains in Sao Paulo would often be late by hours numerous times. Switzerland is quite the opposite, Switzerland’s public transport network is safe and efficient. In my experience, it was extremely rare for a train to be delayed, and to put the cherry on the cake, trains and buses are equipped with air conditioning and heaters for the different seasons!

The benefits of living in Switzerland do outweigh the inconveniences nonetheless and I would definitely recommend any expats to join the international community here in Schaffhausen!

Written by Arthur Caro – Grade 12