Things I have learned while studying abroad: Swiss Style

1.     The drinking age is 18 here and I still get carded anytime I try to purchase alcohol. The typical person starts drinking at the age of 15... so by default I look 15? Awesome.

2.     The only cantione where they only speak Italian - Tocino... this is where I live!!

3.     CH stands for Confoederatio Helvetica and is the Latin name for Swiss Confederation

4.     In Switzerland the ethic groups are German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

5.     German, French, and Italian are all official languages in Switzerland

6.     There is a lot of financial pressure when you want to create a project over here because you have to translate the labels with multiple languages on them. This puts more of a burden on pricing of products.

7.     The Swiss Army is a militia and mandatory between 19-34 for men.

8.     When you are 19-20 you have to train for 4 months, then you receive a instruction on rife and in case of conflict all of the young people have to go to secret places an prepare for battle. Then every year you have to give three weeks of your time to the military for re-training. 

9.     "Unity but not conformity"- is the motto for the Swiss people. They say they are held together by the desire to stay united. The first leaders who ruled the Swiss people tried to force them to conform to German or French practices, but they united and fought back to "just be" Swiss and make all of their difference work through unity.

10. I miss American water pressure


ALSO.. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I will always lovelovelove this holiday and I cannot help but try and spread the spirit! It's not about if you have someone to love, but to spread the love for the people that you already have. & here are some super nerdy things that I love in honor of this holiday.