Imagine swapping the vibrant Kenyan matatu culture and bustling markets for the serene hush of a Swiss train, where even a whisper sometimes feels like a shout. Or trading the spontaneous joy of ‘African time‘ for a country where punctuality is practically a religion. That is precisely what happened when I packed my bags and moved to Switzerland. And let me tell you, it was an adventure in culture shock I never saw coming.
Here’s the tea on what surprised me when I first got here:
Table of Contents
Initial Impressions & General Atmosphere
Unlike Kenya, everything here is calm and quiet. Everyone you meet is either on headphones or earpods listening to music, having a work meeting, listening to podcasts, or just not wanting to be bothered. You are not allowed to make noise between 10pm and 5 am and your neighbours can actually call the police on you. I once went to a party and my friends were still playing music past 10pm and suddenly the police arrived. Luckily no one was arrested or fined.
Language Barrier
While many people speak English, especially in cities like Zurich, venturing into the smaller towns and villages can feel like stepping into a new world. I remember taking a walk; everyone around me suddenly spoke Swiss German. I quickly realized that knowing a bit of German, French, or Italian (depending on which Canton you are in) is key for getting around and connecting with people. Understanding the culture will make you feel like you’re part of the community. Plus, the locals appreciate it when you try to speak their language.
High German vs. Swiss German
The “High German vs. Swiss German” dilemma is a classic and highly relatable point of frustration and humor for anyone moving to the German-speaking parts of Switzerland. It was an adventure in culture shock I never saw coming.
Back in Kenya, I had taken a language course for half a year and was prepared with basic phrases and conversations. I thought my High German skills would carry me through when I moved to Switzerland. Oh, how wrong I was! It was as if my brain had hit a ‘404 Error’ page. Transitioning from high German words such as “Guten Tag” to “Grüezi”, “Küchenschrank” to “Chuchichäschtli”, or from “Fahrrad” to “Velo” was challenging.
There were so many moments where I realized my half-year of High German was, shall we say, a polite suggestion rather than a solid foundation. But now I understand a little bit of Swiss German.
Cost of Living
Back in Kenya, a quick lunch and a bus ride could barely dent my wallet. In Switzerland, that exact ‘quick’ outing could feel like an entire day’s budget vanishing into thin air. Switzerland is one of the top five most expensive countries to live in.
Housing is very expensive, and most people opt to stay in a WG (shared apartment) to cut on rental costs. Finding an apartment is not an easy task, and sometimes you are there with 100 people viewing the same apartment with the hope of being lucky to get to rent it.
Grocery & Food
Swiss food prices are about 60-73% higher than the EU average. Meat, in particular, can be 2-4 times more expensive than in neighboring Germany.
In Kenya, there are plenty of open-air markets, smaller local shops, and a wide array of street food. Most of these open-air markets do not have fixed prices, and you can actually bargain to get a discount instead of buying things at their fixed prices.
In Switzerland, people shop for groceries mostly in supermarkets (Coop, Migros), which have strict opening hours. On Sundays, businesses are closed. The shock of Sunday closures. Another shocker was that customer service is more formal and has less small talk, unlike Kenya. The cashiers are always so fast, and it feels like a marathon trying to get everything into your shopping bag. In Kenya, someone next to the cashier packs your shopping into your bag for you, and some even offer to carry it to your car or Uber.
Food is quite different, and from time to time, I miss eating traditional Kenyan dishes like Ugali or Nyama Choma. When it comes to eating, Kenya is more communal, and food is always cooked in large portions because you never know who will pass by. My grandmother taught me to always cook extra portions in case someone wants to eat more. Portion sizes in Switzerland or Europe are relatively small, with specific mealtimes, and more focus on cheese, bread, and salads. Eating out is quite expensive, and sometimes I miss the Kibandaskis in Kenya, where if I don’t feel like cooking, I can get a good meal without breaking the bank. Cooking at home is fun, healthy, and sometimes affordable, but life can get busy sometimes.
Time is Everything
Okay, Kenyans, we have our own “African time,” right? Well, forget that in Switzerland! These guys are punctual to the minute. Showing up late for anything, whether it’s a class, a meeting, or even just meeting a friend for coffee, is a big no-no. I learned the hard way when I missed my bus (oops!) and had to wait 30 minutes for the next connection. I quickly adapted to the Swiss way of doing things. Now, I’m never late. I’m usually 5 minutes early for everything, most times.
In Kenya, buses, especially matatus, leave when they’re full. Long-distance buses might even wait for you if you’re late. In Switzerland, the train will surely leave you while you’re standing there pressing the door to open if it’s already time to go.
Recycling & Waste Management
I love Switzerland because of its primary focus on sustainability. I wasn’t ready to sort trash like a pro! In Kenya, everything goes into the same bin: organic, paper, aluminum, etc. Coming here, I was surprised to see different kinds of bins for everything, each dedicated to paper, plastic, glass, organic waste, you name it. And you better get it right! At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the different bins, but I quickly got the hang of it. Now, it’s second nature.
The learning curve of correctly sorting trash was a little challenging initially. I still struggle with bottles that are not PET and have to find out where to trash them because some, like the washing machine detergent bottles in my canton, do not go to the general waste. It’s pretty cool to be part of a society that takes environmental responsibility seriously.
Public Transport
Forget the matatu! My first ever train was 4 years ago from Nairobi to Mombasa with the SGR. I remember wanting to experience a train so bad, and now I travel in it daily. Switzerland has a fantastic public transport system. Trains and buses are clean and on time (of course! Except sometimes) and take you everywhere. You can quickly get from one end of the country to the other without a car. The train journeys are an experience, with stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and countryside. It’s the way to travel here. However, while excellent, it’s not cheap.
My first time taking the train alone went better than expected. The second time, I got fined for being in the wrong zone. Swiss fines are so high, and I was lucky not to get the 100CHF fine (15,000ksh) but rather a small fine of 6CHF (ksh.943). Having been used to matatus, I thought it wouldn’t be that hard with the buses, why should it?
I learned that you must press the stop button to alight at your destination, as not all buses will automatically stop at every stop. On this particular day, I pushed the stop button and stood near the door to get out when the door opened. In my mind, I thought that the doors should automatically open for me because sometimes they do. The bus stopped, and I did not get out because I didn’t know I had to press the same red button to open the door, and the next stop was very far from my destination. If it were Kenya, I would have just shouted “shukisha,” but there I was standing like an idiot. The driver could have just opened the door for me; there are cameras on the bus, and they see everything anyway.
Weather & Seasons
Kenya typically has a tropical climate with two rainy seasons(short and long) and is generally warm. Switzerland, on the other hand, has four distinct seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. I wasn’t prepared for Winter, particularly the shock of snow and shorter daylight hours. But every season brought something worth looking forward to: Christmas markets in Winter, flower fields in Spring, vibrant colors and warm drinks in Fall, and finally, the sun in Summer.
As Germans say, “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung” which translates to there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.
Social Shocks
This is perhaps one of my major culture shocks. Swiss people are known for their strong adherence to rules. Shops close to the dot, trains, and buses will leave, whether full or empty.
Greetings are different here. Not just the language, but people here are more into handshakes, air kisses three times, starting with the right chick, and using last names and titles.
Kenyans are generally loud; they play loud music in their homes, in the matatus, or at social gatherings. Sundays are considered quiet days in Switzerland, and people cannot even vacuum their vacuums. It’s a day to relax, spend time with family, and not work.
Switzerland is more individualistic, and the personal bubble is highly valued; forming friendships can be challenging as people are not spontaneous. You must book people in advance and add them to the calendar so they can hang out and do stuff together.
Lastly, nudity, how Europeans perceive nudity is different from how Africans perceive nudity. Generally, African culture is influenced a lot by religion and therefore conservative when it comes to public display of the body, and I mean full nudity. There are no officially designated public nude areas, and public nudity is considered illegal and a violation of morality and public laws. Switzerland, on the other hand, is more open to free body culture. It is not accepted everywhere, but designated areas are near the lakes, rivers, saunas, and spas.
The biggest shock for me, as well as many foreigners, is the mandatory nudity in most mixed gender saunas and steam baths. It’s more of a matter of hygiene and cultural norms, not sexual. Wearing swimwear in these areas can be seen as unhygienic or culturally insensitive. Being naked in the designated nude areas is accepted; however, walking naked on the streets would be considered indecent exposure.
Despite all the surprises (and some initial struggles!), I’m loving my time in Switzerland. It’s a beautiful country with a unique culture, and I’m so glad I took the leap. It has picture-perfect towns, hidden waterfalls, and postcard-worthy mountain views. Get out there and explore! You won’t regret it. Wander through the beautiful streets, take a boat trip on Lake Geneva, and admire the vineyards and charming villages along the shore. Hike to a hidden waterfall in the Alps and dip in the refreshing water. There’s so much to see and do here; you’ll never be bored.
Until Next Time. Happy Travels!
