Switzerland, you had me at Gruitzi!

Moving to another country is a major decision. It impacts not only you, but all of those around you...the children, the friends, co-workers, extended family. It is a balance among pursuing your own interests, with the interests of others. Once my husband was approached about the  new job opportunity in Switzerland, we began to seriously think about it and consider the widespread and deep impact.  My main concern was whether we were doing the right thing for our children.  Hubby and I both grew up in close families, with family members who still live in the towns we grew up in. We already moved our family once while the children were basically babies, 8 years ago, to Chicagoland. It was hard on my eldest...and harder on me. I lost my support network... distance divided me from my dear friends, and our families. Holidays and milestones lost a lot of their charm and tradition. Suddenly the occasions which once were the highlight of our family life felt so lonely; they became similar to any other day with it being just the 5 of us. When we would spend holidays/vacations with family, it was an exhausting, and expensive endeavor:  packing up the 5 of us and flying or driving 12+ hours or some combination thereof to the destination. Inevitably, one,  or several, of us would come down with a stomach bug (always a horrible experience when you are staying at someone else's house!), which we would generously pass on to our hosts. I wondered, what is the effect on children of removing them from the only home and culture they have ever known?  Will the Swiss culture feel confining for my boisterous family? Will we adjust and make friends easily? Can we afford to live a great life there? How can we walk away from the great life we already have? Why fix what is not broken? If we are examining new opportunities, should we just relocate back to where we came from? How and when will we see our family?

On the other hand, we were once perfectly happy in Maryland, and now we were perfectly happy here in IL. It was heartwrenching to leave our loved ones, and best friends,  in Maryland, but we did, and survived, and thrived. We have met so many amazing, kind, fun, interesting, dear people in IL and love our life here. Raising our children in the heart of the midwestern values has been a joy.  It occurred to me, that had we not upended our life by moving here, we would have missed out on the opportunity to know these people, live this life, and know this part of the USA.

As time passed, my concerns abated as I learned more about the opportunity. I read blogs about American families living abroad and found myself swept in their adventures. I began to understand the "ExPat" culture, and the various English speaking connections and commeraderie that abounds in foreign cities. I began to warm up to the idea of living abroad, but it was still very abstract, as our opportunity was not yet set in stone. I wouldn't let myself  worry about the decision until the process began and the details were ironed out. I connected with another ExPat blogger to get the inside scoop, "what's it like?,""are the kids happy," "what do you do for fun?, "" what do you miss?"

In May, I was invited to Switzerland for an "Awareness Tour." Hubby and I went and were taken around by a Relocation Agent. With her assistance, we checked out the International Schools, grocery stores, book stores, department stores, some housing options, and of course some lovely restaurants ( "All work and no play...", you know). The excitement of my previous European trips came flooding back....there's just something about traipsing on centuries-old cobblestones and looking at ornate guilded architecture, and magnificent historic churches with vivid stained glass that takes my breath away. I love the distinctive European look - long lean legs, narrow pants, narrow suit jackets, scarves all year round, and the BOOTS! Oh my....how I love the European boots.  I found the Swiss people to be very charming, caring, diligent, and helpful. The International School was swarming with interesting and adventurous ExPats who gently put my fears to rest,afterall, they had each been in the position we were in....kindred spirits. The schoolchildren all looked so American, so happy, laughing and playing on the playground, proudly showing the fruits of their labor, and the school buildings were beautiful and cheerful.  Switzerland, you had me at Gruitzi...of course we'd relocate!