In my article about what I do for my mental health whilst abroad, I wrote that I attend social events with the mindset of having a new experience, rather than actively seeking to make friends. This shift in perspective stemmed from my previous approach, which often left me feeling pressured and disappointed when I didn’t ‘connect’ with someone. I went to a bar crawl in Geneva a few weeks ago with my new mindset, and what do you know? I ended up making a friend! It just goes to show that building connections is easier when you don’t force it – people who enjoy your company will naturally gravitate towards you. My new friend is from Istanbul, and we bonded over our mutual Turkish heritage. He studies in Lausanne and he invited me to visit so he could give me a tour of the city. I’d never been before, and since the train tickets weren’t too expensive (by Swiss standards), I thought I had nothing to lose.
I had a fantastic day with my unofficial tour guide. We started at the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, which reminded me of the museum I visited in Lyon. This one was more manageable since it had less rooms, but that doesn’t detract from its quality. My favourite piece was a painting of a bull in the Swiss Alps, fittingly titled *Bull in the Alps*. Next, we headed to the ‘coastline’ of Lake Geneva, which offered breathtaking views. Living in Switzerland means enjoying the best of both worlds – the tranquility of a beach setting paired with stunning mountain scenery. Our next stop was the Palais de Rumine, home to Lausanne’s cantonal museum of natural sciences. I was already in awe of the building’s architecture, and the interior didn’t disappoint either. It featured several sections, including an archaeology exhibit and a massive library. Walking through it made me nostalgic for trips to Manchester Museum with my mum as a child – a piece of home away from home. As the sun set, we climbed a few flights of stairs to visit the cathedral. Though relatively small, it was absolutely stunning.
Bull in the Alps
The stained- glass from inside the cathedral
On our way to the Christmas markets, we stumbled upon a street performance featuring Christmas music, dancing elves, and even a polar bear! We paused to watch it for a few minutes. I’ve always shocked my friends by admitting I’ve never been very interested in Christmas – I used to think it was overrated, and that early celebrations made the actual day feel anticlimactic. As I stood there watching everyone dance and enjoy themselves though, my perspective shifted. I’ve never looked forward to Christmas as much as I do now, because it means returning home to be with my loved ones. I still think it encourages consumerism and overpriced tat, don’t get me wrong, but I now understand the appeal. For some, it’s about presents; for others, celebrating the birth of Christ. For me, it’s about family and togetherness. We eventually made it to the Christmas markets, where I treated myself to some cheesy chips – sometimes a vegetarian in Switzerland has to make do!
After a long but rewarding day in Lausanne, my friend mentioned that he and his friends were going to the Christmas markets in Montreux the next day and invited me to join. My initial instinct was to decline, because there would be a lot of people I didn’t know, and I’ve grown used to spending time alone in Switzerland. But I reminded myself that being on a year abroad is about stepping out of my comfort zone. A friend had also told me that Montreux’s Christmas markets were a must-see, so I had even more reason to go. When I learned they were meeting at 4:30pm, I hesitated. These days, I’m typically in bed by 9pm, but I realised that this was just an arbitrary rule I’d set for myself. After all, I used to work night shifts at a club until 5am, so it’s not like I’m incapable of staying up late (not that 4:30pm is even late anyway!). So, I agreed.
Everyone else must have had the same idea because the train was absolutely packed. One of my pet hates is when people put their bags on seats on crowded trains, and this journey was no exception. I finally found a seat, though I started feeling anxious during the ride. Once again, I reminded myself that I had nothing to lose. When I arrived, my friend and his group welcomed me warmly. My earlier anxieties faded, and I started to enjoy myself. As I said before, my friend is from Turkey, a country that doesn’t even celebrate Christmas, but it shows that anyone can get involved in the fun and the Christmas spirit. The market itself heightened my excitement for returning home, where I’ll be able to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with my favourite people (albeit with a Quorn roast for me!). I was also surprised to learn about the Freddie Mercury statue in Montreux, as well as a Queen museum that I unfortunately didn’t have time to visit. I had no idea that Freddie Mercury owned a house in Montreux – every day’s a school day!
I finally went to bed at the *extremely late* time of 11pm, which didn’t hurt my sleep schedule too much. This weekend taught me two valuable lessons. First, you miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t take. I was initially hesitant about both outings, but agreeing to them allowed me to explore new places and meet new people. I even received an invite to a raclette evening in Lausanne as a result – proof that these experiences can lead to further opportunities. Second, living abroad makes you appreciate the things you once took for granted at home. For me, that includes Christmas, but also the charm of messy nights out in Manchester, shops open seven days a week, and the simple joy of seeing friends who live minutes away. When I return to the UK, I’ll never take those things for granted again – that’s for sure.
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