People and Culture:

Remember how your parents used to tell you to keep your elbows off the table during meals? Or that it’s rude to slurp your soup? Well there’s good news guys, these American cultures and customs don’t always translate to other countries! While the local people you meet won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, culture and customs, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.

Do you know how kissing, snoring and other things sound in other languages? That’s right, even sound effects can be translated!

The most important thing to remember while you’re abroad is that things will be different. But, different doesn’t mean wrong. Be open, be curious, and read more about the culture you will be stepping into. Get excited about LIVING the life you’ve only dreamt and read about until now!

#CISabroadtip: Do some more research into the Vietnamese customs you’ll experience while abroad.

National Info:

The country is situated in central and western Europe where it is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechetenstein to the east.

Switzerland has the highest nominal wealth per adult in the world. However, Switzerland is also the most expensive country in the world to live in, as measured by the price level index. Swiss citizens have the second-highest life expectancy in the world.

Flag: 

Population:  8.2 million

Capital City: Bern

Largest city: Zurich

Official languages: German, French, Italian

Food:

Switzerland is well known for its food and drink.  Some of these are its official dishes: cheese fondue, chocolate, more cheese and wine.  Also a breakthrough was the invention of solid milk chocolate in 1875 . The Swiss are the world’s largest consumers of chocolate. Food tends to be very expensive in Switzerland!

Language:

The official languages in Switzerland is German, French and Italian. Many locals in Switzerland also speak Swiss-German.

German:

● Hello- Hallo ●Good morning- Guten Tag ●Thank you- Danke ●Welcome- Willkommen● How are you?-  Wie geht’s dir?● I am well- Mir geht es gut ●Stop-Stop ● Goodbye- Auf Wiedersehen ● Go- gehen

French:

●Hello- Bonjour ●Thank you-Merci ●You’re welcome-De rien ● How are you?-Comment ca va? ●I am well-Je vais bien  ● I am looking for-Je suis cherche ● Stop-arrete ● Goodbye-au revoir ● Go- allez

Italian:

●Hello- Salve ●Good morning-Buongiorno ●Thank you-Grazie●You’re welcome-Prego ● How are you?-Come stai? ●I am well-Sto bene  ● I am looking for…-Cerco per… ● Stop-Ferma! ● Goodbye-Arrivederci ● Go-Vai

 

Other customs to be familiar with:

The emergency phone number in Switzerland (fire, police, paramedics) is 112.

Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Switzerland, but most restaurants do not serve it. Hot spring or some other mineral water is typically served.

There is no obligation to tip anyone in restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels – or in establishments like hairdressers.  Swiss Federal law has required that all service charges be included in published prices. However many people here in Switzerland do add a small tip, but not generally the 10-20% that is added in some other countries.