Sure. I have a kid in the public school in Switzerland. There is a lot of interesting and cultural stuff that he does that we involve ourselves in so we understand a lot more of the culture and nuances. He really digs it, so why shouldn’t we get into it too?
I’d advise against going to an EU country, as being in another place basically needs all the resources you can summon to become successful. Being out of your comfort zone, and familiarity of the US is easier, as you will have to accommodate their cultural and language with little flexibility. To add to this, psychologists, especially English speaking ones are difficult to come by and may or may not be under what constitutes medical protection. I know health is expensive in America, but uprooting yourself to a new area takes a lot of effort, and leads to a lot of stress. Going to the ER with people reluctantly speaking English about your well-being I would think would add to your stress, rather than remove it.
Either way, the usual of learn another language, learn marketable skills, and hope for a transfer with your American company. Make it a long-term goal.
Good luck!
Me without a family? Maybe a hail mary with certain countries…TEFL in China, etc. Me with a family? No way in Hell for a hail mary even in China!
Either way, good luck…preparation like language prep and having marketable transferable skills go a long way for your sanity.
I think I prefer my Switzerland, though it is expensive for a family. Accessibility in a major city is huge as you can often get GPs or specialists in a more than reasonable wait time. We do pay for mandatory insurance, which is expensive (and going up in 2024!) though pretty streamlined in a Phone app for our insurance and in English. Many young techies complain about the premiums every month though, and wish for cheaper health care, and I agree that it’s not prorated for poorer people which is a shame and the old retirees get a lot of benefits for their CHF. Controversial, but I think you do get better care in the US, but I don’t like the surprise billing even outlawed, somehow seems to squeak in and give you sticker shock for a visit to the hospital or doctor’s office. It is cheaper in CH, but not the utopia I think everyone wants…free quality healthcare in English.
Last year I added my health insurance with the taxes every year, and it’s a pretty good value for a family.
Report her to the police! It’s the only way she’ll learn!
I’d say the Swiss, but the ‘catch’ is that you have a lot of surface level friends, and it takes a long time to kind of get invited into their circle. I think a lot of people yearn for the friendship of locals, but in Swiss society this takes a long time, if ever that it truly happens.
Wow. How absolutely horrifying. Pretty close to my worst nightmare. I’m not with the Reddit ‘…no! It’s your fault!!!’ crowd. All I can offer is my condolences, and hoping you somehow land on your feet. Phew. Good luck!
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It does help!
It’s weird as a parent because you really have to speed ahead to understand the culture, the nuances of everyday life before your kids. But then for them to go to a public school and understand it at a lot more humble level and have them teach you. That of course is in contrast to…
Me, as an American I, and others of my political leanings find others that try to associate themselves as 'Merican as suspicious, and really don’t care about any sort of ‘assimilation’ to their fake American culture. They introduce ideas that aren’t ours, and that conflict on what is really 'Merican continues to this day.
Thanks for your insight. I’m always learning!
That’s what I was doing. Thanks
I hope you make the most of it!
Haha, I mean if let me have humor in that comment. Really no disrespect to you, just interesting that’s all.
Yes, I agree with the main character syndrome, but in America if you risk it, you succeed, you get the benefit…with many trying too hard and laughably failing.
Oh. I’m really not looking for their approval, I don’t think they would care for mine or not. Obviously you aren’t looking for mine. I also find many Americans life dull and boring as they try to convince others how exciting it is…cough…Facebook! Agreed!
Absolutely. You’re given a longer leash in America for better or worse. Some people need that leash however, and sometimes society does too as I’m seeing the benefits of it.
If you have concerns like this, perhaps go for the international school. The big con of course is the expense.
Escalade was and is a lot of fun.