Even Greener Pastures

@Jerry, expats working in international business don’t have necessarily to move always very often. That’s for the juniors. I met anglophone women, the typical upper class housewives and dedicated mothers, who lived 20 years in the country without knowing one word of French. But you are right they are not on welfare.

@ SHL personally I also resent people who do not make any effort to pick up the local language.
In the postwar economy there was a huge immigration in Switzerland of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese workers. Even if they still kept their own circles, culture, politics etc. they mostly learned the local language. When I look at the results of the integration of their children I feel a lot of admiration. The son of my hairdresser, a very smart looking and clever Portuguese lady who came here at the age of 16, is completing his master in astrophysics . He has already different offers for his PhD. The same happened to political refugees from Hungary in 1956, from Chekoslovakia in 1968 and Chile in 1973.

I am really worried about the integration of Syrian refugees. I do not know if it is the trauma that keeps them apart or something else.But the next generation will do well, I am sure of it. Especially the girls who aren’t spoiled by their mothers like the boys are , they will grab the opportunity to study and have a better chance.