“I grew up in France as a Swiss abroad. My parents left Switzerland shortly after I was born and settled in rural Burgundy. There, they bought an old farmhouse, which they renovated over the years. I spent my childhood surrounded by nature, animals, fields, and forests.
When I started kindergarten, I didn’t speak a word of French, since we always spoke Swiss German at home. So, getting into the school system wasn’t easy. For a long time, I just listened and watched. Over time, I managed to find my footing, but I always remained “le Suisse” – the Swiss guy. This sense of being different followed me throughout my school years and shaped how I saw myself. I belonged, yet I was never quite the same. It wasn’t until I received my high-school diploma that I realized the French school system didn’t really suit me. It’s highly elitist and heavily theory-oriented, with vocational training—apprenticeships especially—given far less importance. I increasingly missed the practical focus. In hindsight, this proved to be a defining moment in shaping the path I would take.
At age 15, I experienced a profound turning point in my life: my father passed away unexpectedly. This event changed many things and strengthened my desire for a fresh start. After completing my French high-school diploma, I decided, at age 18, to leave France and return to Switzerland.
Although Switzerland was my native country, it felt foreign to me at first. While I had been “the Swiss guy” in France, here I suddenly became the French guy”. I began an apprenticeship as a carpenter and earned my vocational high-school diploma at the same time. Those years were intense but formative. I not only learned a trade but also discovered my passion for working with wood. I was particularly impressed by Switzerland’s sustainable management of its forest resources, which I remain very conscious of to this day – especially when I’m out in nature.
After several years of professional experience, I decided to study wood technology at the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Biel. This step was only possible thanks to the support of educationsuisse and a scholarship from my home canton of Zug. My studies opened up new perspectives for me – both professionally and personally. During this time, I met my current partner. Together, we were able to complete an internship in Indonesia and write our bachelor’s theses there, which broadened my view of education and international cooperation.
Today, I look back on my journey with gratitude: from being a Swiss abroad in France, through my apprenticeship, to studying engineering in Switzerland. Living between two different mentalities - one that prioritized quality of life, the other that prioritized work – has shaped me. I was able to take valuable lessons from both worlds.
After finishing my studies and completing my civilian service, I’m now back on the road once again before I start a job as a project manager in Bern. The mountains, which I’ve come to love through my time in Switzerland, are with me on this journey, as is my broader dream of one day becoming a mountain guide.”
Educationsuisse offers counselling to all young Swiss Abroad on all matters related to education in Switzerland.
RUTH VON GUNTEN, EDUCATIONSUISSE
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