My reasons for applying for the language assistance programme:

I applied to Movetia’s language assistance programme because I wanted to gain a deeper connection with my second country of nationality. My family and I have always loved having Swiss heritage, and despite living in the United States, we celebrate many Swiss traditions to stay connected with that part of our history. However, it was not quite the same as knowing what it’s like to actually live in Switzerland, so when I found out about Movetia’s programme, I was thrilled by the opportunity to deepen my connection with my Swiss side. Plus, moving to Switzerland sounded like an adventure: a year spent teaching, traveling, and eating in Switzerland sounded like a year well spent!

To whom do I recommend the programme?

If you’re excited to be immersed in a new country, language, and culture, then I highly recommend Movetia’s language assistance programme. If you want to connect with students and facilitate a meaningful language exchange, then the language assistantship is perfect for you. Moving to a new country and teaching at an unknown school certainly comes with its challenges in addition to its rewards, so you should also be highly motivated and ready to solve problems – but don’t worry, you’ll also be connected with a community of other language assistants who are going through the same experiences as you! You should be prepared to take advantage of everything you will encounter during your time here – you’re not only gaining the opportunity to live and travel in a new country, but also gaining a meaningful career experience. Most of all, be ready to meet new people and to learn!

What benefits do I get from participating in the programme?

Participating in the language assistance programme enriches my life in so many ways. I love living in Switzerland. It’s exciting to encounter a new culture and language and try new food, and I’ve also taken advantage of the incredible access I have here to travel, both in and out of the country. More than that, I’m gaining new friendships and new perspectives. Whether in the classroom or navigating the challenges (and rewards) of moving here, I learn something new every day! Moreover, in a world where diversity and exchange matters more and more, the skill of intercultural competence is highly important – and needed. I can’t think of a better way to strengthen such a skill than moving to another country and integrating yourself into the world around you. For me as a dual Swiss and American citizen, the programme also provided me a reason to move to Switzerland, and it is incredibly rewarding to deepen my connection to this part of my heritage.

What advantages does Switzerland offer me compared to my country of origin?

I love the opportunity to explore Switzerland and neighboring countries. Traveling everywhere with convenient public transport isn’t something I’d experienced before coming from the United States, and I find it exciting to experience a different way of getting around. I love being able to curl up on the train, reading a book on my way to a hike or to a new city – that’s not something you could really do in most of the USA, where you usually drive or take an airplane to get from place to place. For me, that’s one of the biggest advantages of moving to Switzerland.

What do I particularly like about working with the pupils?

Working with students is fun and exciting, and I feel like I learn as much from them as they do from me! Through class discussions comparing life in Switzerland to life in my home country, we have rich conversations about cultural differences and what we can learn from one another. It’s great to make connections and watch students get excited about learning, and it’s extremely rewarding to help students learn how to express themselves in a new language. For Swiss students who plan to use English in their careers or future life plans – which is actually becoming increasingly crucial – it’s deeply meaningful for me to help equip them with the language skills they need to succeed.