Living in Switzerland
A podcast about living in Switzerland, brought to you by Rigby AG, a staffing company based in Zurich. It covers topics related to expat life, Swiss culture, and practical tips for settling in Switzerland.
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Switzerland's Most Beautiful Language: All About Romansh
Allegra! Have you ever heard a sentence in Romansh? In our newest episode, you'll get to hear several, spoken by the Romansh news anchor Livio Chistell. You'll get to find out more about: Where this language comes from Where it's spoken What it's like to grow up and work in a Romansh-speaking area How you can discover more about the language And of course, what it sounds like. If you liked the e
It's Tax Time: Taxes in Switzerland with Martin Beiner
Federal tax, cantonal tax, municipal tax, and church tax... If you're planning to live in Switzerland or you've just arrived, you may be bewildered by the many different types of taxes in Switzerland. You'll need to learn about: - What types of taxes you will pay. - How they will be paid. - What deadlines you need to observe. - How to reduce
What Is Hornussen? Your Guide to Switzerland's Fascinating (and Ancient) Team Sport
Schwingen, Steinstossen, Hornussen... Switzerland is home to several unique sports. Hornussen is one of the most popular, known for the small 'nouss' that looks like a hockey puck and the 'schindel', the wooden paddle reminiscent of a pizzaiolo's shovel. The sport contains elements of golf and baseball and is mainly played in the Bern and Solothurn region. In this episode, Sandra Widmer from the S
How to Launch a Popular Initiative in Switzerland - with Yves Bennaïm from the Bitcoin Initiative
Political parties, interest groups, and even individual citizens can change the Swiss constitution via popular initiatives. But the process can be complex to understand and initiate. To launch an initiative, you must rewrite the relevant section(s) of the constitution, put together a committee, liaise with the Federal Chancellery, and of course, collect 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months. I
Swiss Politics - with Katy Romy from Swissinfo
Swiss citizens have the right to vote on a wide range of issues multiple times a year. Therefore, staying informed about politics in Switzerland is important for anyone living in Switzerland. In 2025 and 2026, there's a lot going on: · The government is debating a new agreement with the EU · Around 60 cost-cutting measures have been proposed · Residents might get to vote on sever
Bitcoin in Switzerland with Yves Bennaïm
Around 11% of Swiss residents hold cryptocurrencies. Despite this, there's still a lot of confusion about Bitcoin in Switzerland. Many people don't fully understand: How the technology works What the benefits are How to manage the risks and volatility of Bitcoin How to buy and store Bitcoin Yves has been studying and teaching about Bitcoin for many years. He explains what it is and why it's impo
How to Adapt and Succeed in Switzerland - with Esteban Polidura
Switzerland offers expats amazing quality of life, a beautiful landscape, and a warm welcome. Despite this, many people encounter challenges. They might: Find it difficult to settle in: find a home, take out insurance, understand Swiss finances, etc. Struggle if one partner is not able to work or speak the local language. Worry about how their kids are settling in. Struggle to succeed in a new w
Optimising Your Finances in Switzerland with Eric from Schwiizerfranke
Although many people in Switzerland have a high income, most of them aren't making the most of their finances. They are so-called HENRYS: High earners, not rich yet. They often: Inflate their lifestyle to fit their salary Forget that some bills are more unpredictable in Switzerland than in other countries Take out too much insurance Lose a lot of money on high banking and investment fees Eric
Dating in Switzerland with Kelly Brändli from Sinaps
Many expats struggle with dating in Switzerland. But the process doesn't have to be difficult or painful. If you're a successful professional living in Switzerland, you might: Feel that you're too busy to date Avoid dating because you think you'll move away again Worry about interacting with locals due to language and cultural barriers But many Swiss residents are open to dating expats, and the
How to Date in Switzerland as an Expat
Dating in Switzerland can be confusing, especially for new expats. But there are plenty of singles looking to settle down. You just need to know where to find them. You might encounter various roadblocks when dating in Switzerland: · Finding people to date · Confidently approaching locals · Cultural differences · Understanding local dating faux pas In this episode, Trea
Staffing in Switzerland (with Daniel from Rigby)
We speak to Daniel Shalom, the founder of Rigby AG, about the role of staffing companies in the Swiss job market and how recruiters can help expats find a suitable role. Daniel describes the difference between contracts, projects, and permanent placements. Then, he talks about the reasons why so many businesses work with a recruitment company and how the process works. In the final part of the
A Roadmap to Success with Pragati
We speak to Pragati Siddhanti, the founder of the popular blog My Swiss Story, about how expats can get set up and build a successful career in Switzerland. Pragati shares how she came to Switzerland over eight years ago and has since worked as a technology leader in large, international companies, set up her blog and community, and become a guest lecturer at a Swiss university. In the first part
Sustainable Travel in Switzerland with Lisa Arnet from Swisstainable
We speak to Lisa Arnet from the Swiss Tourism Federation about sustainable tourism in Switzerland. The classification "Swisstainable" was created around three years ago. While it stated with only a few service providers, over 2,000 businesses and multiple destinations are involved today. Lisa explains the three dimensions of sustainability, how the classification works, and some of the measures bu
International Associations in Switzerland, with the Zurich International Women's Association
We speak to four women from the Zurich International Women's Association about social groups and expat life in Switzerland. Karin, Martha, Debbie, and Carolina offer diverse perspectives on finding a social network. They speak about topics such as how to approach your neighbours, what you can do to meet others in your community, and how to juggle work, having a family, and leisure time. We also di
Exploring Switzerland with Carolyn Schönafinger (from Holidays to Switzerland)
We speak to Carolyn Schönafinger from Holidays to Switzerland about travelling around Switzerland. Carolyn has been visiting Switzerland for over 30 years and runs her own travel podcast. She tells us about four famous places (Lucerne, the Berner Oberland, Zermatt, and Montreux) as well as several destinations off the beaten track. We also talk about the different seasons, the best times to travel
IT Training in Switzerland with Serge Frech
We speak to Serge Frech, the director of the Swiss national association of ICT training (ICT-Berufsbildung), about basic and continued IT training in Switzerland. Unlike in many countries, most Swiss IT professionals complete vocational training. After achieving a basic degree, they can continue their education by obtaining a federal or advanced federal diploma. These qualifications are equivalent
Moving to Zurich for Work with Laura Vrinceanu
We speak to Laura Vrinceanu, who got her IT job through Rigby, about moving to Zurich, Switzerland. Laura relocated a year and a half ago to work for a bank as a Tableau developer. With seven years of professional experience under her belt, she is committed to never stop learning and strive for excellence in her field of work. Moving to Zurich has been a positive experience for Laura. She loves ma
Swiss Education: Local, Bilingual, or International?
We speak to the Swiss education consultant Stefanie Busse about local, bilingual, and international schools in Switzerland. As a former German teacher, Stefanie has first-hand experience teaching in both public and international schools in Switzerland. She has been advising expat families for over 10 years about the Swiss education system and collaborates with educational authorities and schools.
Swiss Food Traditions with Jessica Manurung and David Moginier
We speak to the food experts Jessica Manurung and David Moginier about regional foods in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Basel and Vaud. Jessica is a Basel-based food blogger. She has been sharing her restaurant recommendations on social media since 2019. Last year, she published the Basel Cookbook, sharing a mix of innovative and traditional recipes from local chefs. David has been a
Setting up your finances in Switzerland with The Poor Swiss
In this episode, we speak to the finance blogger Baptiste Wicht about Switzerland's financial system. Baptiste has been running his blog The Poor Swiss for over six years. He helps expats and locals find the best financial products such as savings and investment accounts, pension providers, and credit cards. He also writes about financial independence and shares monthly insights into his family's
The Swiss Art Scene with Nikolai Kleist Burkal
In this episode, we speak to the artist Nikolai Kleist Burkal about art in Switzerland. Nikolai grew up in Greenland and has lived in several countries before settling in Switzerland in 2022 due to a work opportunity. He runs the platform Art-Beats, where he publishes articles on the pulse of art scenes, trends, and art activities internationally. Join us as we talk about the role of art in Switze
Switzerland and Immigration: Celebrating Immigrants' Contributions in Switzerland
In this episode, we speak to the authors Anita Lehmann and Katie Hayoz about immigration in Switzerland. Anita and Katie have recently published a book called 50 Amazing Swiss Immigrants. It features people of all walks of life, both historical and contemporary, who have made Switzerland their home. Join us as we talk about common reasons for moving to Switzerland, how immigrants are making a posi
Schwiizerdütsch: Exploring Swiss German
In this episode, we speak to Swiss German teacher Rahel Roth and bestselling cartoonist/author Sergio Lievano about Swiss German. We explore whether expats should learn this dialect or focus on standard German instead. Rahel's series of books, Swiss German for English Speakers, is one of the few resources that teaches Swiss German from scratch. Sergio has published six books in Switzerland, includ
Socialising, Part 2: The Swiss Social Scene with Ben Crawshaw
In this episode, we speak to Ben Crawshaw from Zurich Together about how newcomers can use expat groups to build long-lasting friendships. Originally from Manchester, Ben moved to Switzerland as a child. He is an event manager and the founder of Zurich Together, a large international community that hosts a wide range of events in and around Zurich. Join us as we explore the Swiss social scene. You
Socialising as a Newcomer/Expat in Switzerland
In this episode, we speak to James Macsay and Margaret Reilly Baer from the American International Club Zurich about how expats can build a social network in Switzerland. Margaret is the president of the AICZ, and James is on the board of the Association of American Clubs. They have both been living in Switzerland for many years, and they're part of a thriving community of international people liv
Living in Switzerland announcement
Hi everyone, It's Daniel here from Rigby. I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the summer so far, and I'd like to take a moment to thank you for joining us and following the podcast until now. We recently crossed the two-year milestone since we started, and during that time we've looked into quite a few different topics and spoken with lots of interesting people about life in Switzerland. We
The Swiss School System with Margaret Oertig, Episode 2
In this episode we welcome back Margaret Oertig, to continue the conversation about schools in Switzerland. In our first call together we covered what's different about the Swiss school system, what is taught at Kindergarten, getting ready for secondary school, common issues that incomers sometimes find challenging, the different paths available in the Swiss school system, the apprenticeship sys
The Swiss School System with Margaret Oertig
Today we'd like introduce you to another member of our team, who will be joining us on the podcast, Kathrin Spinnler! Kathrin is Swiss, from Bern originally, currently living and working in the UK. Kathrin has a background in the Swiss education system and is part of our content team here at Rigby. In this episode, we'll be talking about the Swiss School System, together with Margaret Oertig. If
All About Geneva with Anita Lehmann
In this episode we'll be speaking once again with Anita Lehmann who joined us for episode 19. Anita is a multi-award winning author of 9 books for children and adults, with her picture book 'Slobber, Slobber, Kiss, Kiss' shortlisted for the German Children's Literature Prize in 2020. Born and raised in Bern, Anita moved to Geneva as a student, for the first of two stays there. She gained an MA
Flat Switzerland with Katrin Gygax
Please join us for another talk about life in Switzerland🇨🇭 Today we are joined by Katrin Gygax. Katrin and her family emigrated from Switzerland to Canada when she was four years old. Now based back in Zurich as a travel writer, essayist and translator, she is the author of the cycling guide 'Flat Switzerland', and 'Today's Office Looks Like This - 60 unconventional workspaces in Switzerland'
International Women's Day - Celebrating amazing Swiss women
To celebrate International Women's Day, in this episode we welcome the authors of the book 50 Amazing Swiss Women; Laurie Theurer, Katie Hayoz, Anita Lehmann, Alnaaze Nathoo and Barbara Nigg.
The Mountains and Hiking in Switzerland with Melinda and Robert Schoutens of Freshairkids.com
In this episode, we welcome authors Melinda and Robert Schoutens of Freshairkids.com. Originally from the US but now living in Switzerland since 2007, the Schoutens are the authors of three family-friendly, useful guides about hiking and fun outdoor activities to do in Switzerland. If you are interested in getting outdoors and taking advantage of all the beautiful scenery, then these guys will hav
An insight into life in Switzerland from author and publisher Richard Harvell
In this episode, we welcome author and publisher Richard Harvell. Richard was born in New Hampshire in the US and now lives in Basel here in Switzerland, where he is Head of USA Publishing at Helvetiq, and Publisher at Bergli Books. In addition to being a publisher, Richard is a best-selling author in his own right, with work translated into 15+ languages.
The Media in Switzerland with Veronica DeVore of SWI swissinfo
In this episode, we welcome Veronica DeVore. Veronica is a Swiss-American dual national, living in Bern and working as Head of Audience at SWI swissinfo.ch. We speak with Veronica about her background, her experience of living here in Switzerland having grown up in the US, about the Swiss media landscape and about how certain stories in the news here may resonate with a global audience.
Voting rights for women in Switzerland with Clare O'Dea, author of Voting Day
In this episode, we welcome back Clare O'Dea, who spoke with us once before about Swiss neutrality. Clare is an Irish author and journalist living in Fribourg, here in Switzerland. She worked for the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation for 10 years, and she's written three books, 'The Naked Swiss: The Nation Behind 10 Myths', which examines the main stereotypes about the Sw
Foreigners in Switzerland
In this episode, we speak about foreigners in Switzerland. We look at who they are, where they live, voting rights and more.
Swiss Travel for Visitors
We have something a little bit different again for you this time, which is another conversation with Beth Zurbuchen. Beth is the President of the Swiss Centre of North America, and Diccon met with her in New Glarus as part of his recent tour of the US. In this conversation, Beth tells us a little bit about her experience of travelling in Switzerland as a Swiss citizen, but one who didn't grow up
Summer in Switzerland
In this episode, we speak about a few things to do during the summer in Switzerland.
A chat with Beth Zurbuchen, the President of the Swiss Center of North America
We have something a bit different for you this time, which is a conversation between Diccon and Beth Zurbuchen. Beth is the President of the Swiss Center of North America, and Diccon met with her in New Glarus, as part of his recent tour of the US. In this conversation, Beth tells us a bit about her experience of holding onto her Swiss heritage while living abroad. If you like this podcast, plea
The Swiss abroad
In this episode, we'll be talking about the Swiss abroad, or die fünfte Schweiz. We'll look at where some of the Swiss who moved abroad went and why.
Neutrality in Switzerland - Is Switzerland still neutral?
In this episode, we'll be talking about Swiss neutrality, in light of Switzerland's recent decision to join the international community in imposing sanctions on Russia. Switzerland has not officially taken part in conflict since 1815 and Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. This neutrality is a key principle of Swiss foreign policy, and has allowed its diplomats room to manoeuvre to pursue various objec
Etiquette and blunders
In this episode, we look at putting your foot in it and getting things wrong.
Swiss food with Andie Pilot of Helvetic Kitchen
In this episode we have something a little different for you, which is a talk with the author Andie Pilot. Andie is a trained pastry chef, with a Swiss mother, who grew up in Canada and moved to Switzerland in 2010. She started a blog about Swiss food, Helvetic Kitchen, in 2015 and from there has published three books: Helvetic Kitchen, Drink like the Swiss and Swiss Cookies. Today she lives in th
Swiss Winter Festivals and Traditions
In this episode, we speak about some of the traditions of winter here in Switzerland.
Money in Switzerland
Money in Switzerland
Swiss History
In this episode we take a brief run through Swiss history.
Travel in Switzerland
In this episode we speak about various aspects of travel in Switzerland.
Direct Democrary in Switzerland - how does it work?
In this episode we take a closer look at the Swiss political system of direct democracy.
Seven Things You Always Wanted to Know About Life in Switzerland
In this episode we tackle seven things you always wanted to know about life in Switzerland, but were maybe too afraid or too embarrassed to ask!
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Gute Frage!
