"French" Switzerland: National Identity

So, I have taken a little break from my travels to enjoy living and studying in Switzerland. As I have traveled throughout Switzerland, it is amazing to me how the Swiss have four different languages (Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romanesch), but yet there is allegiance to the Swiss state. Even though I could probably do an entire research proposal on how national identity transcends language in Switzerland, I will spare you from my political science academia and talk about "French" Switzerland, where I have found a home for a little over three months.

The French part of Switzerland, which only comprises of 20% of the population, is concentrated around Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). As the strikes in France seem to be waging, the French Swiss chug along like normal. They are adamant here that they are Swiss and not French. All the signs are in French and all the Genevois speak French, which has some small differences from Parisian French, but I cannot tell! What I do love though is I am speaking and improving my French everyday!

I have picked up on some French terms that make me laugh. I have heard often the use of "C'est une catastrophe" (It's a catastrophe!). Now, when I hear catastrophe in English, I think that something disastrous has happened... there is a flood coming our way or multiple people have died. No, it is used often, and I am utterly confused by where the "castastrophe" is. My favorite time I heard "catastrophe" was when I was in a coffee shop and there were no open seats. A girl walked in and loudly exclaimed, "C'est une catastrophe!" I looked up quickly from my studies, and thought, "Oh no, is someone hurt? Is there a massive storm outside?" No, no, no, don't be silly. It is just the lack of enough chairs in a coffee shop. Heaven forbid!

So, the French often use much exaggeration, and I have decided that one phrase can get through almost any conversation. "C'est incroyable" (It is unbelievable.) Almost any animated French conversation, just walk up and say "C'est incroyable." It will fit in perfectly and validate that person's story.

Oh, and someone questioned me about the use of "Zut Alors" in today's French usage. Yes, I have heard it. Yes, it came from an 8 year old girl on the tram, but it must be making a come back from the youth!

(Pictures are in the Lauvaux Valley along Lac Leman. Great company, view, hike, wine, and fondue made for a wonderful Saturday!)

Benvenuti a Milano

It is quite amazing how time flies. The weekends are flying by and I will be back in Washington DC before you know it! So, to continue our travels, Alicia and I went off to the Italian part of Switzerland and Milan for the weekend. Alicia has a friend in Milan, Mattia, and he graciously hosted us for the weekend.

We left quite early on Friday morning with two other Americans who are getting their masters at the Graduate Institute. The Italian part of Switzerland is warmer and the Swiss call it their "Riviera." As we traveled along the train, all of sudden the clouds cleared, and it was sunny!  We stopped at Bellinzona, where there are three castles. It's amazing the transformation from French to German and finally Italian. It is quite amazing!

Our first stop was in Bellinzona. There are three castles all in one city, but we only made it to two. You definitely felt more in the Italian part of Switzerland- the roads, the architecture, and the food were all Italian like!

After a nice lunch in Bellinzona, we traveled to Lugano, which is a resort town right on Lake Lugano. It is definitely beautiful, but there was not a lot to see there! Alicia's friend, Mattia, and his girlfriend, Alice, met us for a nice dinner in Lugano, where I ate the typical Italian Swiss meal, risotta and sausage, and had my first gelato!

 That night we traveled to Milan, but I feel asleep on the car ride home because it had been such a long day! For all of you know that know me well, this should not surprise you at all! We woke up early the next day, where we had an Italian breakfast (cappachino and a brioche). Then we headed on into the center of Milan, where we walked down Via Buenos Aires, took the underground into the City Center and saw the Duomo, and walked around the castle. After a long day of walking in Milan, Mattia's mom graciously made us the most amazing home cooked Italian meal- with pasta and homemade sauce, buffala mozzarela, and proscuitto! I could barely move! But it wouldn't have been so great without all the great food and people that made the trip so special :)

In front of the Duomo in Milan

An European Education

So, I have decided to a take a break from what I have been doing today (quite boring but somehow taking way too much time) to write about what I came here to do- study. Through many hurdles, I have found myself in three interesting classes- Contemporary Issues of Conflict and Security, States of War and Peace- Statebuilding and Peacebuilding, and Humanitarian Crises and Responses. All are taught by quite interesting professors and I am getting the hang of them not always telling you exactly what needs to be done.

These are some observations that I have had so far (Note: I am just pointing out the differences!)

First, the students talk while the Professor is talking. Now, maybe I am Americanized, but you do not talk while the professor is talking. It is rude, distracts other students, and, in the states, the professor will probably call on you promptly. I can still remember my days in elementary school where we would get the marbles taken out of the jar if we spoke when he/she was talking. Thank goodness we don't have marble jars anymore.

Second, students and TAs outwardly cuss when we are doing projects and/or school work, sometimes in the middle of class. I know that we aren't in a standard "professional" setting, but I prefer to keep my talking professional- heaven forbid these might be my co-workers one day! Personally, I don't like to say that "Somalia is F-ed." I think they are better choice of words that we can use to discuss the current political landscape.

Third, I have turned into quite the American patriot. I knew that there would be anti-American sentiment. We all criticize the government, but it is my government, right? Hearing it come out of someone not from America somehow has me wanting to defend America! With mentions of "the superpower over the pond" and "the American hegemon," I feel like I have to defend my country's foreign policy. This makes me better understand when immigrants come to the States they try to hold onto their old country as much as possible.

In other news- here I am in the Alps near the town of Champery! I wasn't the fondest person of this ledge if you can't tell :) I spent a wonderful day with 3 other exchange students in the Alps and watching sheep come down a mountain... it is sort of a Swiss fall festival to watch various animals come down the Alps.  There were definitely not many Americans there, and it was fun to see the sheep come down! Afterwards, we went up to the top of the mountain for some hiking and views.  A very wonderful day (without any Zut Alors nonetheless)!

Me and the sheep

Ausfahrt Munchen! (Exit- Munich!)

Alicia and I had been planning on going to Munich for Oktoberfest, but our ride ending up falling through on Thursday night, right before we were suppose to leave on Friday! The trains would have taken 8 hours, and we weren't able to leave early... Zut alors!

The trouble of not having a way to get to Munich did not stop us! I called almost every car rental in Geneva asking if they happened to have an automatic car available for the weekend... yes one did! So that meant it was time for a road trip, or what I liked to call "Old Core" (Old School and Hardcore combined).  Then, another exciting bonus, a girl from school, Diane also wanted to come! Thus, we were off to Munich, traveling through the Swiss countryside, Austria, and then on into Germany. A Zut Alors became the first time that I drove through Europe!

Our Volkswagen Golf for the weekend!

We arrived late at night and were quite lost, but were quickly found when we passed by the Allianz arena, which was built for the World Cup. It was a life saver... I might still be driving around Munich right now if we hadn't see the arena.

 We rested up and went to Oktoberfest at 8 AM, attempting to get into a tent. (They do reservations really far in advance.) We were unable to get in the first tent we tried... Zut alors! So, we then went and tried to get into another tent, where we almost got smooshed between eager Oktoberfest goers and a pretzel stand. Luckily, we found a place to sit out of the tent, however and sat across from some Bavarian youth and our first Oktoberfest beer. It was an interesting adventure trying to navigate the language barrier, but luckily our gracious host, Graham, was able to help us out.

After some time outside, we were able to get into a tent, Paulaner. At Oktoberfest, there has been emergence of wearing lederhausen and dirndl (a traditional Bavarian woman outfit). I felt under dressed in jeans and a sweater! It was quite a jovial time- with people singing songs from all around the world! It is hard to describe the atmosphere, but it was a once in a lifetime experience!