How is life in Switzerland as a black?

[@behab978]

Hi Switzerland has never had any colonies. I remember seeing the first black person of my life as a child in the seventies, my mother telling me off because I was staring at him. The first colored people arriving here in larger numbers were the tamils from Sri Lanka in the 80s. It was quite a thing. Thanks to their diligence and willingnes to accept all sorts of jobs they were widely accepted. Switzerland is a very open country with the fastest growing population in Europe, witch puts a lot of stress on the infrastructure, housingmarket, etc. We simply cannot accommodate the whole world here, and due to the agreements with the neighbouring EU, EUcityzens have priority. As for professionnel degrees, these are an absolute must for any kind of job, even for the Swiss themselves. Remember, the countrys welfare is based on its highly educated and skilled workforce. It has nothing to do with racism. Language is crucial, we have to adapt ourselves to the different languages in our own country we expect that foreigners do the same thing. I'm sorry if you experience real racism, but many things are just because you come from a completely different system and have to integrate in the new system, which takes time and effort. Wish you all the best!

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Thanks for taking time to give more incite on this matter. As you have said, language and skills are very important factors when anyone moves to a new country. The discrimination I am talking about here is based on meeting all the requirements and still not being considered good enough. This has even been brought up by the UN. Recruitment agencies have been put on the spotlight for coding coloured people not to be recruited for work positions that they are qualified for (BBA-Black,Brown,Arab). Thanks for the wishes and I know you are speaking from a good place. You might just not realise what happens on the other end.

[@valokoli6610]

Switzerland did not have colonies but they did horrible things in collaboration with colonizers to slaves..

[@peon9282]

@@valokoli6610 Yes, but those were a few wealthy Swiss individuals afaik, not the state itself.

[@mitchaid77]

Very interesting to hear about your experience and your views. Very insightful for me who is not affected by the points you raised. Thank you

[@carolejaggi3191]

I am swiss and if you will see inside my heart, how much I love black people. I fight against racism. I am sorry that you experienced such racism in Switzerland. I will always prefer and trust more black than white. I will always say that we dont have enough black people here in Switzerland. Where do you leave? I leave in the french part.

[@mfonwilson5380]

Wow first time an indigene feeling sorry in such a beautiful manner. Remain blessed forever 🙏

[@pinktfatrabbit]

Why should more black people be better? As if the color of your skin is a factor in whether you are good or bad. That's a weird attitude you're displaying there.

[@DramaQueenMalena]

About the education and recognition process: education in Switzerland is very long and hard for everyone. For us as well. You really have to study hard to be a doctor or even a baker. Nobody can open a bakery or a small construction company without at least four years of education and then further diplomas. It's why everything is so high quality. You have to know about rules and laws. In Switzerland we have high salaries and we are aware that we have to pay for quality. But if we pay we want to be sure it's good quality. It's a mindset. About lawyers and judges: It's difficult to find jobs in every foreign country because you have to study the law of this country.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@DramaQueenMalena thanks for your input on this matter. I totally agree with you on the academic qualifications in Switzerland. A job like a supermarket attendant that would be done by anyone in my home country would need you to be trained here. I however want to draw your attention to the fact that the discrimination or racism to be exact is not what is experienced by people who are lazy or ignorant to the Swiss laws and rules but people who have gone over and beyond to be qualified but the system locks them out because of their racial background. An example is the Geneva advocate Simon Ntah who was only lucky to get a placement since his advocate judo trainer took him in. He openly states that he knows that being black makes it very hard to make it in this professions even if you were born and raised here. Switzerland is a lovely country with lovely people. We just have to be able to discuss these issues that have been for a long time under the carpet.

[@DramaQueenMalena]

@maureensunshine3185 Sorry, I didn't mean to say that there is no racism. It was just something I like about Switzerland and I think it's not that bad to have high standards. I am the daughter of Italian immigrants born over 50 years ago here in Switzerland. When I was at university, back when Italians were basically the only group of immigrants, I experienced the subtle messages of "not knowing my place". Because it was ok to work in some jobs but of course not to study and think. And to tell them things about the German language! People still make me do German tests before employing me, even if I studied it in a German speaking university (with high grades). And they are still amazed that I do not struggle. So, I can imagine that it is many, many times worse for people from countries that are not in Europe.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@DramaQueenMalena ☺️☺️I love that most about Switzerland as well. Very high standards. Let’s not even talk about cleanliness 🤩🤩! Thanks for sharing your story. Really appreciate it 🤗

[@MerdaLegal]

Regarding the Jobs, it is not really racism... Switzerland, like all the rest of the countries in Europe have their own set of rules regarding education, and a college degree from another country need to be validated in their countries, this is just standard. Although "poor" countries will just accept 1st World degrees no question asked, it does not mean Switzerland will do the same. I was born in Brazil, moved to Portugal 5 years ago, and every degree that I have is useless here, the validation is expensive and very slow (Portugal has a horrible bureaucracy system), and when I started living here, I had to accept "low" income jobs. It is just the way things work, nothing to do with racism. You are either lucky to be born in a country like this, or struggle to move to one. By the way, like you said, there is racism everywhere, and here in Portugal is not different, with Black people, Asian, and south Americans suffer a little bit with racism or xenophobia, people are shitty everywhere.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Great input. Love the fact that you are working your way up and embracing the process. Sure, there is no problem starting with low skilled jobs to get your self where you want to be. The problem is doing all that is required of you and still being side lined in the job market. This is something that happens a lot in Europe and there is a report on it with some very well known recruitment agencies being guilty of the practice. We should however not focus on this as there are some really great employers out here. Not everyone is bad.

[@MerdaLegal]

@@nursemaureensunshine Totally agree. I am not denying that there is racism, xenophobia, or exclusion from some companies and the culture of a country as a whole, but there is the opposite as well. Here in Portugal, I found lots of people that embrace immigrants, and are nice overall. I am sure I will find the same in Switzerland when I move.

[@roesi1985]

I like your attitude. I still think it's so sad that you experience hurtful situations and racism in Switzerland. But you're definitely right in that it's better for your mental health to focus on what you can do and on being a better person yourself. I just want to say that the criticism on the system might not be quite correct. I don't think the system is made to hinder PoC to thrive. It's just very rigid and less flexible and less people-oriented than what people from other countries might be used to. Rules are very important in Switzerland, and there are a lot of rules regarding education and which degree is needed for which job. Still, that's how they ensure the high quality work they're renown for worldwide. I wouldn't recommend people to "trick the system", but rather try to understand what they want from you and why. Most rules in Switzerland do make sense, and following them is usually the best way to go.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@roesi1985, thank you very much for your kind words and for your input on this matter. Concerning my comment on the system, I am attaching a link that is from the RTS. Kindly watch and if you do not have much time, just watch the lawyer’s interview only. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGXHhKCGn56jhZYsi=xNoJ9ppCQEAEbR49 As for my comment on “playing the system”, I stand corrected. You have put it just the way I should have. Thank you.

[@francescapioda6975]

Thank you Maureen for this uplifting video! I congratulate me for your clear view of racism globally, just telling you that myself (Swiss and white) have worked as an english teacher in Japan (Proficiency in english language) and for my white colour was made fun of in public space (a Japanese lady just couldn’t hold herselve and exploded with laughter always telling me I was an outcast for being white) and on a train I was even attacked by a Japanese man who took me by the neck and has thorn me off the seat also swearing at me to be an outcast as a white person and that I had to leave him the seat ! All this I understood as pure racism and was due to the fact that Japan had lost WW2 and was long occupied by the US. Nothing on my forehead shows that I am not even by the slightest american but Swiss! Therefore, having had a good education in history too, I didn’t even feel too upset about it. But I agree it totally hurts! Listening to your recount about the boy to visit his mom, I didn’t really understand why, being Swiss and eventually living in Switzerland, when taking the bus in order to get to Geneva, how come he had to cross a border?? What border? Did he live in France? You could eventually give me some more hints about it because this confused me! And what concerns the recognition of foreign universitie’s diplomas, that applies also to other nations, not only to African nations. And this has nothing to do with racism but with the fact that our nation has every right to get the absolutely best educated foreign workers because, and this could be interpreted as racism yet it isn’t, our citizens who have the same educational level have by their upbringing the better understanding of the social-work fabric. This applies specifically for the jurisdictional jobs. As you know Switzerland is a conglomerate of various european cultures, re our 4 national official languages, which already indicates the variety of social fabrics that are present in daily life. And our democracy is actually based on the fact that each Canton is very autonomous in legislation, often misunderstood by foreigners, the Cantons are more powerful in legislation than the federal government, which on many topics has only a certain weight. This feature is infact the today’s root of the healthcare problem we face right now! That means the global costs for healthcare are not evenly divided by Cantons, but superior costs have to be beared by the Cantons which do not enough work to contain the proliferation of healthcare costs. A little example is the Canton Ticino which has the highest coverage of farmacies pro capita!!! I counted the farmacies on only 1 street where I live and count 5 farmacies on a few 600 meters! This is why our Canton has the highest increase of the monthly rates for healthcare! And it’s no use to get angry with Mrs Baume-Schneider, as she has not enough power to do anything about this, it’s the Canton’s work to be done! As a conclusion I agree totally with you, people coming to our nation should get thoroughly informed about HOW it works here. In order to avoid upsetting situations. But I agree with you the French speaking job you applied for there was underneath racism! I’m sorry for that and want to uplift your spirits, this also happens to white peoples, maybe the character doesn’t suit. Who knows? Leaving you with a big hug 🤗

[@labatti5914]

Thank you! You nailed it. ❤ greetings from the Canton of Freiburg. For me.. moving to this Canton… it was a culture shock!😮 very different… i am fluent in 4 languages. I grew up bilingual in the „Röstigraben“. Here in Freuburg… your french is not perfect… in certain job categories = no Job. your skincolor in this case - no criteria. I worked for an international company- candidates only speaking english have almost no chance. either you speak the language of the canton you are working in (High-german, is sufficient when seeking in the swissgerman area) plus other languages, or you’ll have no chance. No matter how high your degree is. Well… you nailed it. 🎉

[@francescapioda6975]

@@labatti5914 yes indeed! When I came back home from Japan I got a job in Cressier! My boss once told me: if you cannot agree with my policies, I strongly recommend you to seek another job! And I was not even complaining but just talked about him in my office on how blockheaded he was: what I didn’t know then the devices called “intraphones” for communication between offices, he was able to access all of them and just listen to the conversations of the employees! Therefore he heard my complaints! 😡😳

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hello Francesca, thanks for your input on this matter. Really appreciate it. I am honestly shocked by the experiences you have in Japan. That is really sad. Concerning recognition of foreign qualifications, that is everywhere. Even in my home land, Kenya. Every country has a right to set the standards they want for their country. I have also stated this very clearly in my video that everyone should be prepared to go an extra mile when they move from their country to another country. The main issue is going through the whole process to achieve what is asked of you then you are still not enough. Please watch the video on the link. It has the story of the guy and also a lawyer who clearly states the discrimination present in the system. I will give you my personal example. As a nurse trained in Kenya, degree level, I did not have a problem going through the recognition process with the Swiss Red Cross. They mentioned that they will not accept my qualification as degree level, HES but as ES which I took in well. After spending over 10,000 CHF ( courses + unpaid 6 month internship costs) , they write to tell me that I am qualified to work in Switzerland but cannot use the title ES because I am not trained in Switzerland! I mean, I would have paid less than 2000 francs to do the whole study a fresh but I paid 10,000 CHF to be given a ''titleless'' qualification that many employers did not even want to look at. Lucky that my very first employer who knows my dedication retained me. I thought that my applications were being neglected because I was a Non-EU citizen, I therefore worked hard to get my EU citizenship. My applications went through but then came the comments of French not being my first language ( I am at a C1 level French), I did not study here so I will not understand the Swiss healthcare system...etc. I once had a recruiter who told me to go work in Nigeria where I studied ( I have never even been to Nigeria). My CV was too useless for him to read! All these I did not mention because the reason for this video was not to shed bad light on Switzerland but to make people aware of the possible challenges. The UN also made this clear. It has to be dealt with. People coming here who do not want to do anything and just get things fed to them also exist. However this video was not for this group of people. Lots of hugs to you too dear and hope that the situation in Japan gets better.🥰

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@labatti5914 I am glad that you are writing from your experience. Don't you think that other people also had other experiences? I want to assume that you are a coloured person because you mentioned that it has nothing to do with you being employed or not. Theoretically speaking, it doesn't, in reality it does. I am a living proof. I am not afraid of languages because I see you have written a lot about languages. I speak 5 languages and just starting on my German. French is my working language and I am at a C1 level sitting for my C2 exam next year. Thanks for your insight on this matter. Very much appreciated.

[@francescapioda6975]

@@nursemaureensunshine 🤗❤️ I totally agree with you one has to be able to go the extra miles when seeking work in another country! I also learned to be very sceptical about the informations I get from one side and learned to not only ask a second advice but also a third and more advices! And there you are spending so much money for courses and certificates only to understand they’re not recognised!! This is very upsetting and I understand your disappointment over this issue! Thankfully your employer understands your professionalism and recognises your workforce! All these so called misunderstandings are very common and sometimes I believe it’s just policy! And when life starts to get tough I recognise and appreciate your resilience! Never give up 🤗

[@anthonycnei8574]

Thank you Maureen for great information you are sharing. I am asking if you can share some of the sponsorship opportunities.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hello Anthony, thank you. Will work on this

[@natchkiwi3945]

Hellow Maureen, thank you for the information. Im 45years old and i worked in airline industry in UAE. Can I come on a tourist visa and get work as unskilled labour. For me I'm okay to work as a cleaner, in the farm or factory...

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@natchkiwi3945 Hello, getting a job with a tourist visa is illegal. I would not recommend this. You'd rather check some of the airlines you would like to work for and apply, you don't lose anything by doing this.

[@aquahoodjd]

Nice last name !!!!! Yes - who is Swiss really 100% and then It used to be not long ago that people would not even identify as Swiss they would identify as their Canton. And from one can time to the other they would call other people from other cantons foreigners or Etranger in French. That sign still exists in Geneva. At the area where you go to register for your residency or if you return to the country they have a line for people from Geneva and people from Confederates or Etranger. Yes I have a EMTP certificate which more or less along with ACLS and ATLS allows me to do more of this almost anything that an emergency room physician or trauma position could do to stabilize the patient outside of the hospital. But as soon as you get inside the hospital sometimes we assist but most of the time we just transfer information and custody of the patient. My former girlfriend when I was younger she went on to become a super paramedic flight medic trauma nurse in the trauma One center and she can do things better than most doctors. and here they treat anyone who's not a medical doctor or up here in the German part and Artz. And, in some parts of the French part, the nurses are treated with very much disrespect and that is not the case in the United States for example or in some other countries like Malaysia even if you can believe that.... And then the Filipino nurses in Singapore run the show more or less because they are so sore after by the Singaporeans because they actually have a moral compass that's based in Christianity. So they have actual empathy and actual care for their patients. It's very strange I'm a lawyer and I have a medical background so I was able to become a member of the Geneva bar but it was by virtue of having done my stage in a Swiss law firm upon graduation from law school.

[@techie_teko8923]

Very insightful , thank you

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@techie_teko8923 you’re welcome

[@dennisR28]

Thanks for sharing,

[@nursemaureensunshine]

You are welcome

[@RetoHartinger]

very good advice

[@philipochieng173]

My daughter did her berchelor degree in Finance economics and business in Hungary, did her internship in Hungary and works in the same company, she wants to move to Switzerland, can she find a job.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hello Philip. Congratulation to your daughter. Hungary is part of the EU/Schengen and therefore the process should be rather direct. I am however not so conversant with this field and therefore sharing you this link that she should use to get the most accurate information: www.recognition.swiss/en/search Hope this helps her. Stay blessed.

[@carolejaggi3191]

I want to precise that even for me its very hard to find a job i was rejected so many times

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hi Carole. Nice to hear from a local. Which sector are you working in? Thanks for your kind words as well. I live in the French side as well.

[@carolejaggi3191]

@@nursemaureensunshine hello! I sended you a message on Instagram did you received it?

[@silviawalker6487]

🙏✍✍🎤🎈 Great reflections. Petty prejudices against innocent people in 2024 is a disgrace. Human beings needs each other now more than ever. "The Earth is the Lords"

[@RetoHartinger]

If you have a work permit in Switzerland you have it for a sector of the economy and a region/canton. So be very careful if you are a lawyer or a white color worker and you accept a job in construction. You will have to work in that field for 10 years. Maybe that has changed by now and it got more flexible but check it out with the authorities not friends

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hello RetoHartinger. This has changed. However getting a job in the sector you trained in as a Non-EU is not easy.

[@Charles_frDesjardins]

If a white guy went to live in africa he would also experience racism. I grew up in South Africa for 18 years so I would know

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hi Charles, and no one is doubting you. The aim of this video is to create awareness especially to those leaving their countries for the first time like I did. Nothing against whites or blacks. Thank you.

[@caramelo540]

White people in South Africa own a large part of the land and some cities are labeled « white only ». You can experience racism but it doesn’t stop you to work or rent a house

[@johndough1218]

Yes we are talking about Swiss land!

[@hassanlawal5579]

God bless the United States of America. I've been in the States for over 21 years now...... and I've never not been at home here. My wife is American......my in-laws are the best anybody can ever ask for. My neighbors are awesome. I really do think (though) that Switzerland is Heaven on earth, beautiful Country.....but America got every other country beaten by their HOSPITALITY. Americans will work with you, they will tolerate you..... just as long as you are law abiding.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Great! Really nice to read this.

[@benanceisaack9199]

USA is a country known to the world for racism, cops killing black, Violence, shootings, I mean America is an ecample of a failing society.

[@kwatsedianah1292]

Good for you Hassan

[@icykool21]

Problem with the state is you can become bankrupt when you have an accident and injuries or disease. Medical is Soo expensive

[@tihanatv5186]

Sis, please I need proof of accommodation for my visa

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Hello, sorry I cannot offer this service.

[@aquahoodjd]

I was the only student in my graduate class in Massachusetts of all places in the North part of the United States who tested on a standardized test as being racially unbiased!

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@aquahoodjd 😂 congratulations are in order though.

[@aquahoodjd]

@maureensunshine3185 it seemed really odd to me that Massachusetts was still so biased and then I have an author that I read sometimes is a neuroscientist and who happens to be the first 10 years African-American professor at Columbia University seems a little late doesn't it? You would think that in New York City that would have happened a couple of decades ago maybe?

[@aquahoodjd]

@maureensunshine3185 for me it started when I was a kid and my mom was trying to explain to me why my best friend had to live across the railroad tracks in a segregated town and from that day forward I didn't agree with her argument or her reasoning and I never accepted that it made any sense whatsoever one of my favorite songs is by Bob Marley titled "War" "until the color of a I'm a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes.... Everywhere is War...."

[@nursemaureensunshine]

@@aquahoodjd it is everywhere. Things will get better with time.

[@Dilligent55]

Why somebody who is a judge in his country does leave it without knowing what he/she will work in the new country, its a job/degree which is very specific to a country, so its better to stay where you are as a judge. The discussion about racial profiling from police officers is a difficult one, if you know ecactly that dealing of a certain drug is in the hand of for example a nigerian gang, so why should police stripsearch white guys, ?

[@nursemaureensunshine]

People have different reasons for moving. Especially for someone like her who studied long and hard to get her qualifications there must be a real reason she did not stay.

[@msbarati5595]

Good advice indeed

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Glad you think so!

[@juliajanser5063]

Wenn du in der Schweiz lebst . Lerne eine der Sprachen. Rassismus gibt es in Afrika auch gegen Weisse... Rassismus ist immer unverzeihlich überall auf der Welt

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Thank you for your comment. Racism is unacceptable anywhere. Concerning the language, I am at a level C1 in French, soon sitting for my C2 exam. The Red Cross only requires a B2 level in one of the Swiss languages. This still will not change the fact that French is not my 1st language, what you will see in many job adverts. Most foreigners do their best when they come abroad.

[@Aurirang]

The Swiss are racist against everybody, even themselves. Like Basel and Zürich. It lessened with the current generation but anybody over 60 will most likely hate the respective others guts. (It' a long old strive from when the french attacked the area of Basel, Zürich promised to help, but never showed up. That's way over 300 years old) Swiss are slow on the uptake and change. Having such a large influx of people from abroad that's not the immediate neighbouring country is 'relatively' new for us and i suppose many also feel threatened. Nut because there might be bad people, but just because it's 'different' and many feel very much overrun. It's not an excuse and i myself are very much in favour of harsher regulations for borders to keep the people that only seek to leech out as much as possible. But i welcome people that seek to work, learn our language and want to integrate. We're short on workers as it is and we're reliant on immigration so turning them away would be foolish.

[@valokoli6610]

Bullshit rede..this is just an excuse

[@patusony]

Am facing this already in my cite mum but am adapting already if you smile i smile too if you greet i greet too i don't care all is that am focused on what i came hear to look for even i get the cleaning job i will do if so far i get money from there.thank for the video pls mum don't forget to program us to me thanks.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

That’s the spirit. Do write me an email with your contacts then we can organise a meeting.

[@holgerwalther7226]

Very nice! :D thx

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Glad you like it!

[@aquahoodjd]

I went to the United States and was in graduate school and by nature I had nothing in common with other white people in America and I didn't try but all of my friends were scholarship students from Africa and Asia😅

[@Sacred_SmileTV]

You can get Sued for doing people like this especially in America 🇺🇸 that’s Ashame doing someone like this OMG

[@karlbryant5706]

Who cares

[@nursemaureensunshine]

You.

[@michaelmor8365]

@Sacred_Smile Go away

[@johndough1218]

Very racist yes! However it is an educational process. I know a man from Africa. He arrived with a plastic bag. He is now 30 years invested and two diploms later he is doing well.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Very true, you have to stay focused or else you can lose your mind 😅! Congratulations to him. Love hearing such stories.

[@marcin3136]

In Switzerland you can be purple... 😂😂😂 It doesn't matter- what matters is what kind of person you are ;)))

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Ok

[@aquahoodjd]

Good luck with that case!!!

[@PropheticSuperMomMentorship]

This is the second video I've watched on this. This is so sad. This is really bad. America isn't half as bad as this. NOT AT ALL. SWITZERLAND needs to be uncovered for their racism.

[@nursemaureensunshine]

Really! If America isn't half as bad then I guess I can live anywhere.😃