Living in Switzerland

We speak to Pragati Siddhanti, the founder of the popular blog My Swiss Story, about how expats can get set up and build a successful career in Switzerland.

Pragati shares how she came to Switzerland over eight years ago and has since worked as a technology leader in large, international companies, set up her blog and community, and become a guest lecturer at a Swiss university.

In the first part of the episode, she takes us through the practical steps of getting set up in Switzerland, like getting a permit, housing, and health insurance. Later, we discuss how to find a job and set up a side business or project.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

We speak to Lisa Arnet from the Swiss Tourism Federation about sustainable tourism in Switzerland.

The classification “Swisstainable” was created around three years ago. While it stated with only a few service providers, over 2,000 businesses and multiple destinations are involved today.

Lisa explains the three dimensions of sustainability, how the classification works, and some of the measures businesses are taking.

We also discuss what residents and tourists can do to make their trips within Switzerland more sustainable.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

The Swiss Tourism Federation is taking measures to make travel more ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable. If you’re a resident looking to travel around the country or you’re visiting Switzerland as a tourist, there’s a lot you can do to support this mission:

• Support Swisstainable destinations: When selecting accommodation, restaurants, and activities, look for the green Swisstainable logo. Classified businesses are actively working towards becoming more sustainable.
• Use public transport: The Swiss public transport system is green and efficient. Most destinations can be reached by train, bus, or boat. Using public transport is sustainable but also pleasant, as you can sit back and enjoy the view.
• Use slow transport: Hike or cycle from one place to the next. This is a great way to experience Switzerland, and it’s very sustainable. Most towns and some destinations offer bike rentals.
• Stay longer: Instead of rushing to see everything Switzerland has to offer, stay in one place for longer. This allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and get a true feel for the area.
• Recycle: You’ll find bins with various recycling options in most Swiss train stations. Many large supermarkets also have recycling stations. Make sure you recycle as much of your rubbish as possible.
• Share your sustainable adventure: Use #Swisstainable to tag your photos and videos on social media. The more people know about Swisstainable, the bigger its impact.

We speak to four women from the Zurich International Women’s Association about social groups and expat life in Switzerland.

Karin, Martha, Debbie, and Carolina offer diverse perspectives on finding a social network. They speak about topics such as how to approach your neighbours, what you can do to meet others in your community, and how to juggle work, having a family, and leisure time.

We also discuss the importance of joining social groups like ZIWA and what to look for in a group.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

We speak to Carolyn Schönafinger from Holidays to Switzerland about travelling around Switzerland.

Carolyn has been visiting Switzerland for over 30 years and runs her own travel podcast. She tells us about four famous places (Lucerne, the Berner Oberland, Zermatt, and Montreux) as well as several destinations off the beaten track.

We also talk about the different seasons, the best times to travel, and ways to save money while visiting Switzerland. No matter if you’re a first-time visitor or already living in Switzerland, you’re sure to learn something new.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

You can visit Switzerland year-round. It’s a great destination for winter and summer sports, but those two seasons tend to be busy. If you want a quieter experience, consider travelling in May and October.

Some popular destinations:

• Lucerne: This city is conveniently located in the heart of Switzerland, and it features historic sights like the Chapel Bridge. You can access mountains like Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi easily from Lucerne.
• The Berner Oberland: You’re in the heart of the Bernese Alps here. There are lots of traditional chalet-style buildings, and you can see the famous Jungfraujoch.
• Zermatt: This town is located at the foot of the Matterhorn, so it’s a spectacular destination. There are also lots of historic chalets.
• Montreux: This French-speaking town has a different, more Mediterranean vibe. It’s located on Lake Geneva and has a famous promenade. From Montreux, you can visit the Chillon castle and several other towns.

Some lesser-known places to visit:

• Schaffhausen: A lot of tourists visit the Rhine Falls, but many of them don’t take a closer look at the nearby town, which features beautiful old buildings. There is also a fortress you can visit.
• Lake Constance: This lake borders three countries, so you can take a boat from Switzerland to Germany.
• Appenzell: A very rural area, where you can still find traditional Swiss farms and restaurants. There is a biannual Yodel Festival.
• The Emmental Valley: This is a scenic area of Switzerland that features rolling hills and open fields, with the mountains in the distance. You can visit the famous Emmental cheese factory.

We speak to Serge Frech, the director of the Swiss national association of ICT training (ICT-Berufsbildung), about basic and continued IT training in Switzerland.

Unlike in many countries, most Swiss IT professionals complete vocational training. After achieving a basic degree, they can continue their education by obtaining a federal or advanced federal diploma. These qualifications are equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Expats with a degree from another country can also take part in this programme. Since there is a severe IT professional shortage in Switzerland, this opens up many opportunities.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

We speak to Laura Vrinceanu, who got her IT job through Rigby, about moving to Zurich, Switzerland.

Laura relocated a year and a half ago to work for a bank as a Tableau developer. With seven years of professional experience under her belt, she is committed to never stop learning and strive for excellence in her field of work.

Moving to Zurich has been a positive experience for Laura. She loves many aspects of life in Switzerland, from the great amenities to the beautiful scenery and the excellent work-life balance. Join us to discover how she got her job, how her move went, and what she recommends to others who want to relocate to Switzerland.

We speak to the Swiss education consultant Stefanie Busse about local, bilingual, and international schools in Switzerland.

As a former German teacher, Stefanie has first-hand experience teaching in both public and international schools in Switzerland. She has been advising expat families for over 10 years about the Swiss education system and collaborates with educational authorities and schools.

Join us as we explore how schools work in Switzerland, the advantages and potential challenges of each schooling option, and how to get help if you’re trying to figure out what’s best for your child.

If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and leave a review on your favourite platform. You can also subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

We speak to the food experts Jessica Manurung and David Moginier about regional foods in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Basel and Vaud.

Jessica is a Basel-based food blogger. She has been sharing her restaurant recommendations on social media since 2019. Last year, she published the Basel Cookbook, sharing a mix of innovative and traditional recipes from local chefs.

David has been a food and wine journalist for many years. He was in charge of gastronomy for the daily 24 heures, and has written Vaud cookbook, as well as several books by Michelin-starred chefs.

Join us as we talk about various food traditions and innovations:

• What people eat in the German and French-speaking areas of Switzerland
• Favourite dishes to try
• New trends such as sustainable eating, the nose to tail principle, and Nikkei cuisine

And don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

In this episode, we speak to the finance blogger Baptiste Wicht about Switzerland’s financial system.

Baptiste has been running his blog The Poor Swiss for over six years. He helps expats and locals find the best financial products such as savings and investment accounts, pension providers, and credit cards. He also writes about financial independence and shares monthly insights into his family’s financial situation.

Join us as we talk about getting set up financially as an expat:

• Opening savings and investment accounts
• Optimising pensions
• Avoiding common financial traps

And don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.

In this episode, we speak to the artist Nikolai Kleist Burkal about art in Switzerland.

Nikolai grew up in Greenland and has lived in several countries before settling in Switzerland in 2022 due to a work opportunity. He runs the platform Art-Beats, where he publishes articles on the pulse of art scenes, trends, and art activities internationally.

Join us as we talk about the role of art in Switzerland, the best places to enjoy art, and ways to get involved as a creator.

And don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter at rigby.ch/newsletter for more great content about living in Switzerland.