Vines, food and splendid views: if you're looking for a short and easy walk to do by yourself or when you have visitors in town, this is an episode for you! We talk about a scenic, circular walk in canton Bern that will take you from the village of Twann to Ligerz, via the vineyards and back along the lakeside to Twann. To get to Twann, you can go by train or park your car at the train station. First time here? Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast!

Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

Trip tip: An easy walk through the vineyards

 Once you have fulfilled all of the criteria to apply to become Swiss (take a look at our previous episodes in this mini-series if want to know more about this), you will be faced with filling out "the form". This is where you provide all of your personal details including your entire education history and certificates, Swiss employment history, references and more. In this episode, I explain exactly which documents I had to gather as part of the more than 50 pages I had to put together. 

Becoming Swiss, part five: ‘One form to rule them all’

Before or instead of a dinner, at a garden party, a wedding, an office function or even a funeral, it‘s always the right time and place to join or organise a classic Swiss apéro. But what is expected at this typically Swiss get-together? We talk you through the food and drinks, the preparation, and, as always, the subtleties of navigating a Swiss event.

What to expect at a Swiss apéro

Please welcome Maeve, our beautiful baby girl, who you may now hear in the background of some of our recordings. Now that the chaos has calmed down we wanted to give you an update and share Jo's thoughts on how pregnancy and having a baby in Switzerland is different to the UK. Learning Swiss German We've also introduced a new regular slot in our show to help you learn Swiss German! In every episode we'll talk about one typical Swiss tradition, event, word or saying you need to know.

Having a baby in Switzerland

 Setting foot into another country can mean a significant change of your lifestyle and sometimes a culture shock. We asked in our Facebook group about your weirdest thing you’ve experienced when you moved to Switzerland and got loads of fun and interesting comments as well aas interesting discussions started. Thanks a lot for that! In this episode we talk about a few of them and Jo will tell you about her personal story when she moved to Switzerland. 

Weirdest thing you saw when you moved to Switzerland

Christmas is drawing nearer but thanks to coronavirus, making plans to celebrate it this year isn't very easy. It's difficult enough to get together with family if you live in the same country, but almost impossible if you don't. In this episode we talk about the parts of a Swiss Christmas that are perfect for our socially-distanced, outdoor times and how you can mix these with your usual festivities to make some wonderful winter days.

How to celebrate Christmas as an expat in Switzerland

We're still here and still making podcasts: not as often as we'd like, but there's a good reason for that, which we'll explain in this week's episode. But the main topic in this episode is the Swiss citizenship test. - Why is an exam part of becoming Swiss? - How do you prepare for the test? - What's it like to take the test: atmosphere on the day, set up in the room, what kind of questions will you face? - Book recommendation: 'Der kleine Schweizermacher'.

Becoming Swiss, part four: The Swiss citizenship test

After living in Switzerland for ten years, I can now formally apply to become a Swiss citizen! There are a number of conditions I had to make sure I met before applying, which we mention in this episode of the podcast. We'll talk you through how to start the process in Bern specifically, as there are differences depending on where you live and exactly which type of naturalisation you are applying for.

Becoming Swiss, part three: 'Starting the Application Process'

Finding it difficult to make friends with the Swiss is a common complaint from expats in Switzerland. Do the Swiss really have such different ideas about friendship? What does it take to be able to read between the lines in a conversation with a Swiss person and are there any tips that can help you feel less isolated here? We share our insights on this contentious topic and give you an update on Jo's application to become Swiss. Looking to connect with other English speakers in Switzerland? Check out our Facebook group. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland How to make friends in Switzerland 

What are we missing when trying to make Swiss friends?

If you can only get out outside at the moment to go shopping or for some fresh air, you might be starting to get a little bored of your local surroundings. Pop your earphones in and let us distract you from coronavirus as you come with us for a walk along the Aare river in Bern. Looking to connect with other English speakers in Switzerland? Check out our Facebook group: Switzerland for English speakers.

Walk with us along Bern's Aare river

The coronavirus might have stopped you from getting out and exploring Switzerland, but you can still learn plenty about Swiss culture from inside your own home. Here's our list of five things every person interested in getting closer to the Swiss or looking to become Swiss should know. We chose a film, a book, a musician, a recipe and a game that you can look up and enjoy to see you through your weeks staying at home in Switzerland.

Five ways to perfect your Swiss knowledge while staying at home

 Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: your British Guide to Switzerland What to do if you don’t know whether to shake hands or not? Hand shake or kiss on the cheek? When shaking hands is a must An optional hand-shaking moment When to avoid shaking hands 'Der Schweizer Knigge', a well-known guide to Swiss etiquette (book in German) 

When to shake hands in Switzerland

 Joining a club in Switzerland is a simple way to make new friends and connections. There are several English-speaking clubs in Bern and other Swiss cities, like the British Residents' Association of Switzerland, which we visited in October 2019. Should you sign yourself up to a club? Listen and find out! We always love to hear from you: Chat with us on Twitter @jofahy or @simonzryd or write an email to hello@swissandchips.com. Don't forget to join our Facebook Group: Switzerland for English speakers. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland The British Residents' Association of Switzerland 

Should you join an English-speaking club in Switzerland?

 We love to hear from you! Chat with us on Twitter @jofahy or @simonzryd. It can feel like there are a lot of rules governing life in Switzerland. They‘re often written on signs in public places or in the building where you live or work. But what about those unspoken rules? The ones you don‘t know exist until a realisation slowly dawns on you that you‘ve been doing something differently to everyone else, and never known. Notes on this episode about unspoken Swiss rules How important are unspoken Swiss rules Where, when and how to greet people How to toast and other rules with alcohol Quiet times 

Unspoken Swiss rules

Hiking in Switzerland is a favourite national pastime, especially in autumn, which means there are plenty of maps, online resources, and books to help you find the perfect hike! To get you into the mood, we'll tell you what you have to watch out for and give you all sorts of other tips, including a short excursion we made recently up a mountain and tell you what secrets are waiting for you at the top.

How to hike to the top of a Swiss mountain

Your British guide to Switzerland: an audio podcast for English speaking expats living in Switzerland and Swiss interested in Britain. Everything expats need to know about finding a job in Switzerland, how to find an apartment in Bern, Geneva or Zurich, how to find friends and get to know Swiss culture, traditions and of course, learn the language. We will try to answer your questions and give you personal insight into what it's like to move from London to Bern. This is not just a view from the outside looking in however, we will also bring you the Swiss perspective, from a "real" Swiss, born and bred in the Bernese Oberland.

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Swiss and Chips - Your British guide to Switzerland

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