US to Switzerland

-Culture shock, go an hour or less in either direction and have people speak completely different languages with little experience with the other.

-Don’t make noise after 10pm. Seriously, don’t do it. I got noise complaints for “flushing the toilet too loud”.

-People are touchy and also extremely reserved at the same time. Meet someone for the first time or see a friend? Kiss on the cheeks three times. Accidentally touch someone on the bus? Shame on you.

• The hospitality is incomparable to what I’ve had in the US. People taking me in, letting me stay the night in their houses, feeding me amazing meals AND letting me take them home. Taking me for long tours to explain the culture of the town, just because they want me to feel more at home. Opening up their homes to me for the holidays. So much trust and care between families, it’s very heartwarming.