Saturday, September 29, 2018

Swiss Tavolata welcomes you!

Ever fancied sampling a traditional Swiss meal with a real Swiss family as your host? With Swiss Tavolata you can do just that. Based on the success of the TV show "Landfrauenküche", Swiss Tavolata allows people to have the unique experience of eating Swiss food in a home environment.

Over 40 people, living on farms or in rural areas throughout Switzerland, have been approved as hosts offering a true Swiss cuisine experience. These hosts, most of whom are women, cook and serve up their dishes in their kitchen, parlour, garden, barn or wine cellar. The unique atmosphere and the wonderful farms and their animals ensure that your SWISS TAVOLATA is an absolutely unforgettable experience.

All you need to do is go online and book a table in a region you'd like to explore.

Apart from the Ticino specialities, I am curious to taste the venison in Susten and the homemade Spätzli in Bergün! What takes your fancy?

Venue: Swiss Tavolata
Where: All across Switzerland
Website: https://www.swisstavolata.ch
Tel: +41 52 232 66 88
The cost of the brunch is CHF 46.- per person and CHF 26.- for children from 4-12 years. Dinner with wine is CHF 96.– per person and CHF 76.- without wine.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Where do Swiss emigrate to?

More than one in ten Swiss lives abroad. The number has more than doubled since 1980. This graphic illustrates that the Swiss don’t like to stray too far from home.

Did you know that more than 760,000 Swiss live abroad. Most of the Swiss emigrating abroad are young: the average age for women is 33 years old and for men, it’s 35, nevertheless retirees make up 7% of those leaving Switzerland.

France is the biggest draw for expats, with a Swiss community of almost 200,000 people. The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office shows that 3,982 Swiss moved there in 2014. Second on the list is Germany with 86,774 expats at the end of 2015 and 2,667 new arrivals from Switzerland by the end of 2014.

Are you Swiss? Where do you live currently?

Monday, September 24, 2018

Calling all Young Swiss ABROAD

Fancy doing sports? Sightseeing? Getting to know Switzerland? Learn one of the offical languages? Or discover Swiss politics? No problem! The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) offer something for everyone.

Young Swiss from all over the world can enjoy the exciting programmes prepared by the OSA. This organisation allows young Swiss abroad to experience an unforgettable holiday and offers training schemes in their second homeland.

The OSA Youth Service is organising two ski camps this winter. Youngsters between the ages of 15 and 25 have the opportunity to forge links between themselves, enjoy the snow sports season and spend a week in their home country.

New Year ski camp in Valbella GR (15 to 18 years old)
26.12.2018 – 04.01.2019

New Year ski camp in Saas-Grund VS (+18 years old)
27.12.2018 – 05.01.2019

At the beginning of the year, the Youth Service organises one language course in German and one in French.

German Courses in Bern
07.01.2019 – 18.01.2019

French Courses in Biel
07.01.2019 – 18.01.2019

If you're younger than 15 years old, you can sign up by their partner organisation, the Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA)!

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Take the Swiss quiz

You might have read this week's post on Swiss Naturalization. You might be wondering about the questions ask during the exam. Well, you can actually have some fun while training for the Swiss naturalization exam! A new online platform has been launch with tons of quizzes to challenge your Swiss knowledge and your friends.

In order to help the candidates of the naturalization to prepare the questions on history, politics, culture and the Swiss geography, a young entrepreneur lausannois, 28, recently naturalized Swiss, launched naturalisation-switzerland.ch.

Do you know in which canton the document of the Federal Charter of 1291 are stored? Unterwalden, Bern, Schwytz or Uri?

Question of day to test your knowledge of Swiss politics:

Which alternative does NOT represent characteristics of the President of the Confederation?
- He/She chairs sessions of the Federal Council
- The duration of the mandate is 4 years
- He/She is elected by the Federal Assembly
- He/She is the representative of the Swiss Confederation abroad

Are you ready for the challenge? All you need to do is create an account and you are set. Not to worry the questions also come in English: https://www.naturalisation-switzerland.ch/en/

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Naturalisation in Switzerland

Thinking about becoming a Swiss citizen? Switzerland advises foreigners to take up Swiss nationality once they're well integrated in their society.

Switzerland has two processes for obtaining Swiss citizenship. Ordinary (or regular) naturalization is the one most people go through; facilitated (or simplified) naturalization is a shorter and less complicated process usually open to the foreign spouses and children of Swiss citizens, and, since early 2017, third generation foreigners. According to official statistics just under a quarter of the 40,689 naturalizations in 2015 were facilitated.

There’s more than one set of requirements. To obtain regular naturalization a foreigner must meet the requirements laid out by three levels of government: the commune, the canton and the Confederation. 

Following changes to the federal foreigners' law that came into effect on January 1st 2018, an applicant must now have lived in Switzerland for ten years (it was previously 12) or less if you spent your adolescence here, and have a C residence permit. They must also show they abide by Swiss law and order, pose no threat to the country and be well integrated, a broad term that covers your participation in Swiss economic, social and linguistic life.

You must speak the local language to be in with a chance. Decent language skills have always been necessary for Swiss citizenship but requirements used to vary depending on the canton. But under the 2018 changes, there is now a required minimum level of language proficiency.

Cantonal and communal rules vary considerably. Each canton has different requirements, usually centring around how integrated you are in the community you live in. Do you have Swiss friends and work colleagues who deem you part of the community? Do you know a thing or two about the local area? Are you down with Swiss traditions, politics and history?

The length of the process varies depending on where you live, but expect several years, nevertheless last year there were over 46'000 naturalisations in Switzerland, the majority originating from Germany, Italy, Portugal, France and Kosovo.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Lugano - Città del gusto

Lugano has been nominated the Swiss capital of food and wine: "Città svizzera del Gusto 2018" (Swiss Capital of Taste for the year 2018), it comprises a remarkable local festival involving all the excellence of the Canton Ticino.

The popular celebration is the most important in the field at a National level, and it aims to use gastronomic heritage as a driving force to raise consumer awareness on the culture, the quality, and the sustainability of food. It also supports food short supply chain, local producers and local operators in the catering sector.

Workshops and tastings, markets and show cooking sessions are being held: every proposal and activity will highlight the importance of taste and good nutrition in their own culinary, cultural, didactic, tourism and sport related multiple facets.

For further details: http://www.luganocittadelgusto.ch/en/homepage

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

10 questions to check in with your kids

So you've landed at your new destination and you are beginning slowly... very slowly... to settle in. It is important when raising children anywhere to be continually engaging and checking in with them. It is especially important when you are asking them to start a new life in an unknown country with a language they might not speak yet.

Listen and encourage them to explain their answers or elaborate, but be careful to not be too pushy or to respond in a way that invalidates their answer. The purpose of asking these questions is not to provide a solution, but to open up the communication between you and your child.

1. How are you doing?
(It seems simple, but asking this question is one of the best ways to show your kids that you care. Make is clear that there isn’t a right answer and that it is ok if they really aren’t doing “just fine.”)

2. What are some things that you enjoy about living here?

3. Do you ever wish that we lived a different life?

4. What is something that you’re looking forward to?

5. What is something that you’re not looking forward to?

6. Do you feel like we spend enough time together?

7. Where do you feel most at home?

8. Is there anyone or anything that you miss right now?

9. Do you feel like people understand you?

10. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Last tip: I often feel that sitting across from your child, especially a teenager, gives less results than sitting next to them or engaging them in some sort of activity - it may just be walking side by side - to get them to open up.

Friday, September 14, 2018

Corsa della Speranza 2018

The "Corsa della Speranza" is an event celebrated in countries across the world in favour of cancer research. It is a non competitive event. You can run, march or simply walk over a distance of 5 km through the most typical streets of Lugano.

It is a run for everybody both sporty people as well as not-so-physical: families, schools, companies, children and grandparents. Registration, donations and/or offers will be donated fully to the research foundation on cancer which supports International research projects in Ticino.

The "Run for Hope" races have existed for more than 30 years. The idea was born in Canada in the 80-ies, where Terry Fox, a young man of 23 years who had lost one leg because of bone cancer decided to travel across his country to raise awareness and raise money for the fight against cancer.

You can still register here: http://www.corsadellasperanza.ch or on Saturday as of 11:00 in Piazza Riforma. The animation begins at 15:00 and the actual race at 18:30.


Venue: Corsa della Speranza
Where: Piazza della Riforma, Lugano
Date: Saturday, September 15th, 2018
Time: 18:30
For more info click here: http://www.corsadellasperanza.ch

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Lugano Passteggia

Following the great success of past editions, the Lugano PasSteggia food and wine festival promoted by the city of Lugano returns with many new interesting proposals.

The fifth edition will be held on Sunday, September 16th along a new and beautiful route that will unfold in the areas of Bré, Cureggia and Pregassona. Discover eight stages on approx. 10 km of easy and panoramic routes.

The meeting point for the departure will be at Capannone di Pregassona where bags, route plan and water are distributed. The two final stages and the party will be organized at Pregassona as well to guarantee an indoor place in case of bad weather.

Registrations are opened immediately so book your space fast.

The costs is CHF 50 for adults, and CHF 25 for children (6 to 13 years). This includes food and drink as well the ascent to the Bré by funicular. ou will also be able to benefit from free transport from your home to the city and back.

Venue: Lugano Passteggia 2018
Where: Bré, Cureggia and Pregassona
Date: Sunday, September 16th, 2018
Time: between 8:30 and 10:30 according to the reservation order.
For more info: https://www.luganopassteggia.ch


Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Ticino moments

When you share your photos on Expat with Kids and along the way you win something, it is a feeling of great satisfaction as well as recognition.

Well, having bought a Swiss product - biscuits, muesli, I can't even remember - at the supermarket a few months back, a little label was attached with an invitation to hashtag one's Instagram shots. Usually not prone to these kind of competitions I felt inspired and hashtagged my best picture of the day with #ticinomoments.


Today, I receive an e-mail informing me: "Congratulations. You have won the following prize in the #ticinomoments competition: 2x entrance to the Zoo al Maglio".Thank you Ticino Tourismo I am very chuffed and look forward to visiting the lions roaring in the hills of the Malcantone. 

Thursday, September 6, 2018

US Consular Outreach event in Lugano

The Honorable Edward McCullen, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, has the honour to invite you to the Town Hall meeting at 18:30 with a short speech which will then be followed by a Q & A Session. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the Administration's priorities as well as Swiss-US relations directly from Ambassador McMullen.

Consular services will be available which will include passport applications signed, birth registration (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), notarial services (to have documents notarized), voting, and any other questions or concerns that someone would like to discuss in private. No appointments are necessary, visitors will be handled on a first-come, first served basis.

Venue: Consular Outreach Lugano
Where: THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND, The Palmer Center, Via Collina d’Oro, 6926 Montagnola
Date: Thursday, Sept 13th, 2018
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
More info: Consular Outreach

Sunday, September 2, 2018

An overview of Ticino’s industries

AITI, Association of Ticino’s industries, is a private and independent organization headquartered in Lugano and established in 1962 to promote and support industries in the canton of Ticino. With over 200 associates, companies operating in every industrial field, business services and category associations, AITI groups together almost the totality of enterprises with more than 100 employees, that provide jobs for more than 19’000 people, for a turnover higher than 16.5 billion Swiss francs.

Rightly AITI is considered the point of reference of the cantonal industrial sector. AITI is increasingly oriented to satisfy concrete needs of associated enterprises, to promote interests of industrial companies and of cantonal economy, and at the same time to create a widespread entrepreneurial spirit and an exchange of knowledge and experiences between entrepreneurs.

The Ticino industry has operated in the last 20 years in a picture of deep changes. The reorganisation of production and the introduction of technical progress helped to increase the level of competitiveness of AITI’s associates, the majority of which is active on the global market.

AITI cooperates independently with other cantonal economical associations and it is member nationally of both the Swiss Entrepreneurs Union and Economiesuisse, the Federation of Swiss Enterprises.

Follow this link to discover all of Ticino's company members of AITI: http://www.aiti.ch/le-imprese-associate/

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