Some initial thoughts on exchange in 🇨🇭

Hello from the other side! Now we really have arrived in not-Canada, and I am writing this inside the EPFL library (it is quite a nice place.) It is also is not too full, likely because actual classes have not started, so we will see how crowded it could get.

I am writing this only 1 week into my exchange, so these are just initial thoughts! It is most probable that as I continue on, my thoughts will change, so it will be interesting to see what that thought progression might look like.

Some initial background

I flew out from Toronto on August 15th and arrived in Zurich the next morning, August 16th. It was a direct flight, and I did not get too much sleep. Like I mentioned in my previous post, essentially right after exams I was packing, unpacking, and then repacking (and then flying.) So that coupled with the lack of sleep on the plane plus the time zone change was quite a lot. Also came a bit too early to the check-in for the residence, so we (my dad came with me) waited for 2.5 hours outside, luckily in the shade of a tree 😅

The luggages are waiting under the shade of a tree in the residential area of the residence.

Needless to say, I was quite exhausted, and for the rest of the week I was still relatively tired. It was only a day or two ago that I think I was not feeling as tired, though writing this now I think I might still be 😅

On the past week

The next few days were relatively busy; I did not actually get to unpack the contents of my luggage until the third or fourth day. We had to deal with lots of administrative tasks (residence permit, bank account, phone plan, transportation, etc.), familiarizing with the nearby areas (visiting many many grocery stores), trying to find Asian cooking supplies (I think we visited almost all of the Asian grocery stores in the greater Lausanne area 😂), making sure some basic household items that may need existed (thankful for IKEA), and more.

IKEAAAAA!!!!

On top of all of this, it happens all in French! Switzerland has four official languages (French, German, Italian, Romansh), and where I am located is in the French-speaking region of Switzerland (also called La Suisse romande in french). Luckily I have been able to just use French with all my interactions so far (have not had to switch to English), but that is a completely new experience for me to use French so often. I think this past week is probably when I have spoken the least English in a while- French with other people, and then Cantonese with my dad (although there were definitely some English words in there too haha).

So to summarize- it was busy!

What else?

Apart from the logistical things mentioned above, there is the cultural and environment adjustment. I still have not adjusted fully, but at least I am in a somewhat okay place to be writing this blog post 😆

Firstly, things are kinda very expensive. On the first day we arrived, we had to get something to eat, so I walked to the nearby commercial centre. They had Subway, so I was like “alright sure we could do something simple like that.” One footlong came out to 16.30 CHF 😶 Unlike Canada, this does include HST/taxes already, but still! At the current exchange rate (1 CHF = 1.34 CAD), a footlong (just the sandwich!) comes out to almost $22 CAD 😬. Yikes!

Things that are much cheaper though include bread (baked fresh at all the grocery stores!), cheese, chocolate, and alcohol. Diet change? 😅

Secondly, cultural differences. For all my life, I have lived in an “Asian bubble” (for a lack of a better word.) At school, even in university, the vast majority of people were of Asian descent. I grew up in an Asian immigrant church, so that is self-explanatory. The city (that is since 2019; they used to be a town!) in which I grew up in was also predominantly Asian, so everyone kind of looked like me.

Yes, of course I am in Europe, and so the demographics are different, but it still was new and strange to me that no one looked like me. I think on the way from Zurich to Lausanne, there were maybe like 2 other people who looked Asian. That was something to adjust to (and I am still adjusting to it.) There is nothing good or bad about this—it is just an observation that I had not anticipated.

Thirdly, just getting used to a new environment which is not unique to an exchange. For example, we struggled on how to operate the pedestrian signal “buttons” (I think I figured it out today though); was not sure how pedestrians cross (cars do stop but they seem to be coming quite fast); how they sort their waste, etc.

Apart from some of the things mentioned above, I have also been noting down other interesting (or not so interesting) things that I found to be different in Switzerland compared to home/Canada. As I continue to compile them, I will eventually post that list out too! So keep a look out for that.

summary: there are differences! More to come in a future blog post.

What they don’t tell you...

Looking back (on only a week, so don’t have much “looking back” to do 😛), I think my perception of what an exchange would entail was a bit idealistic. Perhaps it was because I was quite exhausted this first week, or the culture shock was too large, or some combination of various things, but after arriving I was not as excited as I thought I would be.

Something that I did during the whole pre-exchange process was read as many past exchange reports as I could find; if not exchange reports, then other people’s blogs; if not blogs then YouTube videos of people documenting their experience. Of all the stuff I have seen and read, they do seem to abstract away what might be difficult or challenging (apart from administrative hurdles.) As I had chatted with a friend about yesterday, we “present what others want to see.” It can also be difficult to explain all that goes on with you when the context in which you and someone else live in are completely different.

But anyways...

One of the largest hurdles I faced in the past few days has been feelings of homesickness, doubt, and uncertainty. I think it was quietly in the background, but it really hit when my dad flew back on Sunday. The reality hit—I am all alone^*, a foreigner in a foreign land with a foreign language. _{(* more to elaborate below, this is not actually the case!)} Could be exciting, but I think I was definitely more on the uncertain and lonely side of things. Plus, homesick—friends, family, all were across the Atlantic. Food! Comfort food may be more difficult to cook here, let alone find outside. Doubt—why did I decide to do this? Did I make the wrong decision? Why am I here? Uncertainty—what will happen now? What will I be doing? What should I do?

Attending church on Sunday was also mixed feelings. On one hand, it was very encouraging to worship together with brothers and sisters whom I had never met but were united in the gospel. On the other hand, it reminded me of the communities I had left back home and who I likely won’t see physically for at least the next year.

What is true though?

However, more time in prayer, more time with God helped me to stabilize (enough to not be breaking down, heh.) My devotional times were a bit wonky with the first few days, but after things kind of calmed down and adjusting a bit to scheduling, it got better. There has been a fair bit of walking, and so those are opportunities for prayer walks too.

On Monday, I tried to focus on God’s attributes (at least some of them since there are many) and also the upcoming week. I was reminded of a few things:

God is sovereign

I am here in Switzerland. Somehow, someway, despite the few close calls where it seemed that it might not go through, it still did. No human plans can thwart God’s greater purpose.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)

To trust in God in where I have been placed, in the circumstances that I find myself. To be thankful, to have humility. To allow God to use me as his vessel for whatever his purposes may be, and to be open and receptive to the way that the Spirit may work.

God of comfort

(Can check out KW Redeemer sermon on this one! titled “God of Comfort”)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3)

God is omnipresent

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

As the star (*) follow up from before, we are not actually alone! God is always with us. When we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. Pray for the Spirit’s presence to dwell richly in us! To find community with a local church. To continue to pray for family and friends who are thousands of kilometres away. God is with me and with them.

God is faithful

(Sneak peak into one of the major 2B themes in an incoming post)

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6)

God continues to be faithful—it is part of His nature, His character, it cannot be changed. We however can be unfaithful (and we are when we sin, which is quite frequent.) But in all of this, He still remains faithful. Would we also continue to grow in our faithfulness and love towards Him, to continue to walk in a way that is worthy of the calling we have received.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1)

Concluding thoughts

Long post! I have been sitting in the library for quite some time now, so will probably head home after this.

It has been good to spend the time this afternoon to reflect on the past week; I did get to meet some other Waterloo exchange students yesterday and also a friend, which helped also to find some people with common ground. The student group at the local church I visited on Sunday is also having a Bible study on Thursday, so looking forward to that too!

I remain optimistic and hopeful for how God may use this unique opportunity to further His kingdom, for me to continue to grow and be sanctified, and also to learn more—about Him, about the world, about my field of study.

Sunset on the walk back to the residence. Could definitely be used as a Bible verse background, haha

After all, it’s only been a week!

À la prochaine,