Geneva

If your here for only few days, most likely you’ll be disappointed: a well known diplomatic city which in reality is very small, a Swiss city that has no other strong Swiss traits to brag about, a community so diverse that most of them could be quite closed to others, and as a tourist for few days there is nothing really that tourist to enjoy other then the water shooting out in the middle of the Lake. If my stay here was to be just another few weeks, my impression would have remained with the former comments listed. However, after living for about five months I’m learning to like, enjoy, and love the bits and parts of this city Geneva.

After visiting Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and even other cities in Switzerland, I now have a clearer sense of how unique and independent Geneva stands out from the rest. First, of course, is Swiss being a rich neutral country for decades. The strong sense of “we are good enough to not even use Euros,” and “we use at least two different languages everyday to communicate” echoes across the country. Everywhere you go you see a Swiss flag waving its proud red and white color that you can no longer debate whether this means a red cross sign or not. The local Swiss I have meet are one of the most patriotic and proud people of their country and heritage. Wouldn’t you be? If you knew that your country was one of the richest one in financial resources (imagine all the secret banks in Swiss), international resources ( the international community living and Swiss people’s great exposure to international community due to frequent traveling), and food resources (growing cheese, ham, grapes as a farmer is well considered then even some shop keeper)?

Geneva’s uniqueness goes even further. Because of its history and geography, most Swiss people don’t consider Geneva as the real part of Swiss. Not only is it heavily influenced by the French culture and French language due to its geography, but the population is also overwhelmed with international community. Due to the high concentration of international organizations and NGOs being based on Geneva, the local Swiss people are becoming a minority. As a result, finding an original “Genevian” would be very hard to do. There are many who may have lived for over 10 years, but no matter how good their French and how much money they make, they are still “foreigners.”

Furthermore, this international population is rising to the rate that is exploding the city. One of the issues everyone discuss during your stay in Geneva is: shortening in housing, uncertainty in job post, and concern with high living expense. It took me at least few months to get used to this routine of talks. Plus, because of the nature of the work, there is a constant turn-over, and even those who were planning to stay longer terms find themselves changing plans if they find better opportunities or, worst case, lose the opportunity they thought they had.

I too, am part of this cycle of uncertainty. Yet, maybe it is because of the sunny weather. Or maybe it is because of the long day light hours, in which the sun does not set until 10pm. Or maybe it is because the city is full of free festivals that you cannot ignore. I am starting to love this city a bit more today.

6 months is approaching and I am already reflecting back on how much Geneva has given to me with a smile.