Black in Zürich

Hello reader! As we approach the one-month mark of our expat life in Zürich, this week has been a mix of sweet and sour experiences. On the sweet side, our family has been surrounded with support from friends both old and new. Our younger kids (G & I) are embracing their new environment and even picking up Swiss German phrases almost as quickly as they are making new friends.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. Our teenagers, A & D have struggled to find their footing. A has chosen to be homeschooled for his final year and is struggling to stick to a routine outside of a traditional school environment. D has been resistant to learning German and admits to feeling homesick. While A, G, and I have adapted more readily, D is finding the change difficult. I've been supportive but also firm about the necessity of embracing the local language. His struggles have been a reminder that everyone in a family experiences a move differently, even when the overall environment is as welcoming as we've found Zürich to be.

Despite D`s misgivings about his new life in Zürich, he appears to be making friends (albeit reluctantly). He reported that more and more kids seem to be hovering around him during breaks between classes. His gym teacher has also taken an interest in him and is connecting D to a local basketball club.

So, as we celebrate our wins and navigate challenges, this city is slowly feeling more like home for all of us—each at our own pace.

Until next time, sending love and light from our family to yours.

Tschüss,

Hello reader!

As we cross the three-week mark in Zürich, our family is starting to fall establish new routines and the kids are starting to form friendships. M and I have hit it off with the kids upstairs, and their afternoons are now a delightful cacophony of languages and laughter in our shared garden.

School and work continue to be enriching for all of us. J is enjoying his lakeside office lunches, while I relish the historic charm of Old Town during my remote work breaks. Our culinary explorations persist, with a Vietnamese restaurant in Wiedikon becoming an immediate family favorite. We are still in the middle of setting up our apartment (flat) so we haven't explored as much as we'd like during the weekend (hopefully, next week ?)

Until then, Tschüss

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Black in Zürich! I’m N, a proud Black mom of four beautiful souls aged 17, 14, 5, and 3, and the wife to my incredible partner, J, who is white. Originally from the United States, we’ve recently taken a leap of faith to move our family to Zürich, Switzerland, because of J's new job opportunity.

Why This Blog?

Starting this blog felt like a necessary step to document our family's journey—a transition not just of place but also of culture, social dynamics, and a multiracial family's experience in a predominantly white European country. My hope is that this space becomes a place of support, inspiration, and a resource for other families who are navigating similar life changes, particularly those who come from multicultural, multiracial backgrounds.

The Crew

Let's talk about our amazing kids. Our 17-year-old, A, is into digital art, drawing and has started looking into universities—both in the States and in Europe. The 14-year-old, N, is sports-obsessed and already scouting basketball clubs in Zürich. Then there's our spunky 5-year-old, G, who is enamored with all things nature and pink. And finally, we have our 3-year-old, I, who's just excited to be here (or anywhere, really). Each of them is processing this move in their unique ways, which I’ll delve into in future posts.

The Culture Shift

One of the reasons we took this plunge is the promise of a higher quality of life and excellent education for our kids. But we're not naive; we understand that Switzerland is very different from America, not just in language but also in terms of cultural nuances and racial dynamics. We know that our multicultural family might raise eyebrows or spark curiosity, but we are here to embrace the change while staying true to our roots.

What to Expect?

In this blog, I’ll share everything from our experiences in navigating the Swiss educational system for both teens and preschoolers, to the ways we're adjusting to Swiss culture while maintaining our African American heritage. I'll also discuss marriage and partnership across racial lines in a foreign land, budgeting for a family of six in one of the most expensive cities in the world, and all the joys and challenges that come with this expat life.

Thank you for joining us on this adventure. We're thrilled to share our ups, downs, and everything in-between as we navigate this new chapter of Our Swiss Life.

So sit back, grab a cup of tea (or wine, no judgments here!), and let’s take this journey together.