How heartening it is to read that the Swiss are opening their minds (and hearts) when expatriates living in Switzerland want to contribute in the same ways as they did in their home country. In my experience working for a corporation, and contrary to what many told me, it's true that the Swiss enjoy helping others too. Whenever there was a bake sale or other fundraising event in Zurich, there were always many local staff members contributing in all ways to the success of the event.
It's not only the giving aspect that's important. Many expatriates who would otherwise feel marginalised, lonely and cut off from normal everyday life, can have a sense of purpose and become better integrated as a result of their volunteering. So let's hope that more organisations in Switzerland recognise and benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of people with a lot to give. My experience was that things were changing rapidly in Switzerland and valuable new ways were being embraced. May it continue!
And there is hope for some more relief for working mums and dads at the March 3 referendum. It is interesting to read the pros and cons of this debate when you are from somewhere that embraced the creation of better conditions for working parents a long time ago. There is room for some niggling doubt about some aspects when parents take things too far in the direction of handing over responsibility for their children to others. But on balance, we wouldn't have it any other way and let's hope our Swiss peers are able to benefit from such changes soon.
It's not only the giving aspect that's important. Many expatriates who would otherwise feel marginalised, lonely and cut off from normal everyday life, can have a sense of purpose and become better integrated as a result of their volunteering. So let's hope that more organisations in Switzerland recognise and benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of people with a lot to give. My experience was that things were changing rapidly in Switzerland and valuable new ways were being embraced. May it continue!
And there is hope for some more relief for working mums and dads at the March 3 referendum. It is interesting to read the pros and cons of this debate when you are from somewhere that embraced the creation of better conditions for working parents a long time ago. There is room for some niggling doubt about some aspects when parents take things too far in the direction of handing over responsibility for their children to others. But on balance, we wouldn't have it any other way and let's hope our Swiss peers are able to benefit from such changes soon.
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