My exchange to Switzerland was quite different from the exchanges we host here in Canada. For starters, I spent an entire month with one family, unlike here, where delegates frequently change families and travel across Ontario.
So that is where I started my exchange with the Zimmerman Family; Peter, Doris and my host siter Bettina! They run an organic beef and geese farm in a small village called Siglistorf, near the German border. Within just three hours of arriving, I was already helping them deliver a calf, which I named Sina—a fitting name for my new surroundings!
The first week with the Zimmerman’s just flew by as I got a firsthand experience with what a typical day would look like on their farm. We started each morning by walking the cows and their calves from the stable out to the pastures, afterwards we would clean and bed the stables before it was time for a mid-morning coffee break. Afterwards I would head over to the Potatoe patch and look for Colorado Potatoe beetle that was introduced to Europe by the Americans during World War II. It was like real life “where’s waldo” and in case you are curious; over the course of my stay, I found 148 potatoes beetles. Some other tasks I helped the family with were cleaning the geese room, cutting or raking hay, picking the bad weeds in the fields and helping to catch some sneaky rabbits with Doris. I also got to help the family prepare half their herd for their summer vacation to the alps! I felt like I was really becoming a part of the family.
When I wasn’t helping the family on the farm the Zimmermans took me on excursions around northern Switzerland. Our first visit was to the Schaffhausen Switzerland where we got to tour the Rhein Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Doris actually grew up right next to the falls and she was telling me how it was the most water she had ever seen in the falls! Other excursion included going to Stein am Rhein, day trips through German, visiting an medieval castle, hiking in the woods, a Stubete de Gang concert and a hike around Alp Tritt! Bettina also arranged tours of an organic chicken farm and an organic vegetable farm.
My month with the Zimmermans passed by quickly, and soon it was time to pack my bags and move in with Marc Zuber and his family in Laupersdorf. Since I was only with Marc for a week, he planned a week filled with adventures. On my first day, we headed to the Bergkranzschwingfest, a traditional Swiss wrestling festival that was taking place on top of the mountain. We drove as far as we could before hiking the rest of the way to the festival, which was the most quintessentially Swiss experience I had while in Switzerland. The event featured yodeling and alphorns, all steeped in rich Swiss traditions.
During my time with Marc, I helped clean the barn for an upcoming festival, fed the pigs, milked cows, and constructed electric fences.in the evening the family and went for a hike up the mountain behind their house to roast sausages over a campfire, and a trip to the shooting range.
On my last day in Switzerland, we visited Solothurn, a town built around the number 11, featuring 11 fountains, 11 churches, and even 11 worship tables visible from the 11th square tile in some churches. The attention to detail was impressive! After exploring Solothurn, we drove around a mountain and finished with a hike to the abandoned Schloss Neu-Falkenstein, which offered breathtaking views. It was a perfect way to conclude my exchange in Switzerland!
