[Voices of Japanese Parents Abroad_Switzerland Vol.4] Everyday Life Embracing Multiculturalism and Nature

Ai (not her real name) is raising four children in Switzerland. As we spoke with her, we could clearly see how much she enjoys parenting in a diverse cultural setting, embraced by Switzerland’s stunning natural environment.

Growing Up with Multiple Languages

—Howare your children growing up in a multicultural environment?

In terms of language, my children speak Japanese with me, Swiss German with my husband, English with my in-laws, and Portuguese or French with their cousins. Also, because there are many immigrants from Albania, they learn to speak basic Albanian at school and kindergarten.

For my children, language is not something to "study," but rather something they "need to live."

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

A Place Where “Being Different” Is the Norm

―Switzerlandhas a large immigrant population. Is the education system well-equipped to accommodate them?

Yes, it's very well-equipped. Even kindergartens have German language classes to support children who don't speak German. My child also has trouble with German pronunciation, so he attends classes with a speech therapist to practice pronunciation. Kindergartens and schools provide careful support to ensure that children don't feel ashamed or inferior even if they struggle with language.

Also, Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. For example, in public elementary schools in German-speaking areas, students learn French and English in addition to German. In other language areas, curricula are designed to include learning German and English in addition to their own language. In this way, Switzerland has a well-established multilingual education environment.

There is also a "Cultural Introduction Day." It is an opportunity for children to introduce the culture of their home country, and my child has learned Japanese greetings and origami. Through these experiences, children naturally become able to engage with the cultures of other countries.

When you're in an environment where "differences" are "normal," the very idea of ​​"comparing" people disappears. The children seem to grow up understanding each other's backgrounds. It's not that they "learn" about diversity; rather, "living together" is simply the norm.

Building Life Skills through Nature

―Howdo you spend your days off?

On my days off, I play at athletic parks or go cycling. Also, since there's a forest right in front of me, I take walks in the forest, pick nuts and eat them, skewer sausages on branches and roast them over a bonfire, look for insects, and collect acorns. In winter, we usually end up having snowball fights. It's not a ski resort, but there's a small hill nearby, and we slide down from there and have fun.

Rather than playing with something that people have made, it's more like "playing in nature." I feel like my imagination, observation skills, and even the very "will to live" are nurtured by being in contact with nature.

Playing in the snow (provided by Ai)

―Youreally get to enjoy nature to the fullest.

Not just on weekends, but even on weekdays, I sometimes swim down the river on my way home. Switzerland has many rivers, including the Rhine, so when I get home from work or school, I change into my swimsuit, swim down the river, pick up some fallen firewood along the way to make a fire, roast sausages over the fire and eat them, and then swim down the river all the way home.

―That's so wild, it's amazing! Don't you go to leisure facilities?

Of course, there are zoos, science museums and amusement parks, but in my impression, they're not as extensive as in Japan. Also, people here love nature, and on weekends, many people go cycling or hiking, or have barbecues. Conversations about weekends are like, "I climbed this mountain this week," or

"This mountain would be nice next week," and so on. So when I go to Japan, where there are all sorts of theme parks and arcades, I get so excited that I can't sleep at night, saying, "Why is Japan so much fun!"

The Scenic Nature of Switzerland (provided by Ai)

[Overseas Parenting Column - Switzerland]
Vol. 1 A diverse international society - accepting differences and living together
Vol. 2 Pregnancy and childbirth experiences - rational and warm care supporting "postpartum care at home"
Vol. 3 Education that fosters "independence," "self-assertion," and "creativity"
Vol. 4 Living in a multicultural and natural environment
Vol. 5 Establishing clear "family rules"
Vol. 6 Re-examining "work" in daily life

Education Dialogue・Column