Relocating to Switzerland
In order to ensure that new employees get off to a good start in Switzerland and in their job, CSCS provides some assistance with the relocating process.
What does CSCS offer?
Accommodation
If necessary, CSCS can arrange for temporary furnished accommodation (min 3 month contract). If you are moving with furniture and/or a family, we suggest you contact us to set up a “house-hunting” visit. CSCS can work with you to set up house visiting appointments. If you are not able to arrange a “house-hunting” visit, CSCS still can assist you in finding accommodation. This may require us to select a flat on your behalf that you will only have seen in photographs. Leases are typically for at least 1 year and more often 3 years.
Transport
CSCS will arrange for your relocation travel. The HR Officer will contact you as soon as the permits have been cleared to arrange this.
Schools
If you are moving to Ticino with a family, CSCS can assist you in arranging visits to local schools. Please note: CSCS expects employees to put their children into the Swiss Italian-speaking public school system that is highly reputed. Should you for any reason wish to put your children in private / international schools, this will be at your own cost. The local schools are used to international students and are well equipped to help them acquire the language and find their way. There are also a number of summer programs that will help your children assimilate the Italian language – something they do much faster than adults, much to the frequent frustration of their parents.
When choosing a school it is important to note that not all Swiss schools provide lunch (known as a “mensa”) as most children still go home for lunch. CSCS can advise you on what schools do provide mensa service.
Language courses
When you start work at CSCS you will receive a 3-week intensive Italian course during working hours. Thereafter, you may continue to have 90 minutes of Italian a week during office hours. Although the acquisition of Italian is not mandatory, it is very helpful in everyday life.
Beyond the above CSCS will assist new employees where possible and necessary.
What does the new employee need to take care of?
Paperwork
CSCS will submit the necessary paperwork for the permit applications, which will require that the employee provide the required documents and EU passport sized photographs. Please note: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry into Switzerland.
Relocation
The employee must arrange for any relocation of goods or pets.
Useful links / materials
Reading
Living and Working in Switzerland, 12th Edition: A Survival Handbook by David Hampshire (Author)
This book can be purchased at Amazon.com and other well stocked bookshops. Cost: ~25US$
The information is generally very good but occasional passages should not be taken too literally as intended for the German speaking part of Switzerland.
Things for kids during the summer break:
http://www.tandem-ticino.ch/Page_00/Page_00_Main.htm
http://www.swissworld.org/en/people/families/family_life/
http://www.ticinohelp.ch/index.php?fuseaction=home.detail&guida=577&lan=4&sc=2159&t=2272
Officially sanctioned nurseries in Ticino:
http://www.ti.ch/DSS/DAS/UFAG/presentazione.asp
General Websites for things to do in Ticino:
http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/en/95/zoo_al_maglio.aspx?idActivity=537&idMod=254
http://www.ticino.ch
Forum Websites:
http://www.xpatxchange.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=96
http://www.expatexchange.com/
http://www.englishforum.ch/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expats-in-Ticino/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expat-Moms-Ticino-Switzerland/
Swiss news in multiple languages (including cultural events calendar):
http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/index.html
Swiss education system explained:
http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1472/Switzerland-EDUCATIONAL-SYSTEM-OVERVIEW.html