Julien Faliu

How do you arrange childcare for your young child in Switzerland? This question often arises when it's time to return to work. While childcare options have improved significantly in Switzerland, there is still a shortage of places in nursery schools. However, there are solutions available for children up to age 4, before they start primary school. Here's an overview of pre-school childcare and the transition to compulsory schooling.

Are you planning to move to Switzerland? It's important to understand the country's customs regulations. You'll need to declare any goods and items you bring with you to the customs authorities, as some may be restricted or prohibited. Learn more about customs regulations in this article.

Switzerland offers not just stunning landscapes with mountains and forests but also a rich history and vibrant culture to explore during your free time. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the expansive countryside, lush forests, nature parks, and breathtaking views from the highest peaks. This article will guide you through the various leisure activities available in Switzerland.

In Switzerland, sports are a big part of the culture. People of all ages and genders regularly participate in various activities like swimming, jogging, tennis, volleyball, and hiking. If you're moving to Switzerland, you'll easily find a sport that suits you. There are plenty of sports facilities in towns and cities, including fitness centers, soccer fields, stadiums, gyms, and swimming pools. Plus, you can enjoy the natural outdoor environment for a wide range of activities.

Almost all Swiss citizens have access to a telephone connection, whether landline or mobile. The key is to select a subscription that fits your needs, especially if you're a cross-border worker.

This week, the Expat Mag is offering you a special dossier. Our team has attempted to anticipate the new expatriation trends imposed on us by the COVID-19 crisis. Julien, the founder of Expat.com, gives us an insight of what could be the changes over the next few months...

Saint-Louis, known as Ndar in Wolof, was the Senegalese capital city until 1957. Having been founded by the French in 1659, its strategic location on an island in the Senegal River estuary adjacent to the Atlantic, helped the city grow into a major trade hub.

Located 70 km from Dakar, Thiès is Senegal's third-largest urban centre with an estimated 765,000 people. Known as the ‘junction' of Senegal, it is perfectly situated at the apex of three of the country's main roads, including the new motorways to Dakar and Touba, and national routes to the south-east and Saint-Louis. As a result, Thiès is a very active city with many companies, especially Senegalese companies, choosing to set up offices there.

Sprawled across the southern banks of the Casamance river, life flows in Ziguinchor much like the water that gently ambles alongside. Wide-open streets, palm trees and low-rise buildings mark out the blueprint of this relaxed capital, which is becoming increasingly popular among expats thanks to the region's warmer climate and greener surroundings.

The former capital of Senegal and French West Africa, Saint-Louis was founded by the French in 1659. Located on an island in the Senegal River estuary, its unique location enabled ships from the Atlantic to travel to its ports and made it one of the principal West African trading hubs in the 17th-20th centuries.

Thiès is the name of the region outside of Dakar with its largest city, also called Thiès, the third-largest urban centre in Senegal with an estimated 765,000 people. Located 70km from Dakar and 30km from the new Blaise Diagne International Airport, Thiès is a well-connected city that is known as the ‘junction' of Senegal because of its road links to Saint-Louis, Touba (via a new motorway), Kaolack, Tambacounda and Mali. As a result, Thiès is a very dynamic city, offering many career opportunities to foreigners wishing to settle there, especially those involved with transporting goods across the country.

With 570,000 people, Kaolack is the fifth largest city in Senegal. Bustling and vibrant, Kaolack is situated on the main route from Dakar to the south-eastern regions of Senegal (Tambacounda, Kédégou) and the Guinean and Malian borders. As such, Kaolack was historically a major trading station for produce from these regions, such as peanuts - Senegal's main export crop. This trading hub was enhanced by the fact that Kaolack is located on the banks of a major river, the Saloum, which flows out into the Atlantic via the Sine-Saloum delta, one of Senegal's seven UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Ziguinchor is the capital of Casamance, the southern Senegalese region wedged between The Gambia to the north and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Culturally, ethnically and geographically, Casamance (including Ziguinchor) is a world away from the rest of Senegal. Lying in the sub-tropics, Ziguinchor experiences warmer and wetter weather, while Basse-Casamance, where Ziguinchor is located, is the only Christian majority region in the country.

Senegal is a democratic, multi-party republic in West Africa. Its capital, Dakar, is the westernmost city of mainland Africa, located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Senegal covers a land area of 197,000 square kilometres, which straddles two climate zones: the semi-arid Sahelian north and the sub-tropical south.

Even though Geneva has a reputation for being a quiet city, there are lots of fun things to do alone, with friends, with your family or with your partner. Discover the wide range of leisure activities in Geneva in this article.

If you want to acquire professional experiences in Switzerland, an internship could be a great opportunity to get your proverbial foot on the door. Also known as a ‘trainee programme' or ‘traineeship agreement', an internship can help simplify the process of procuring an entry visa and/or a residence and work permit. The demand for internships in Switzerland is growing every year, due to the various opportunities available in different fields. Many national and international companies operating across the country are ready to welcome young professionals who are eligible to work in a field related to their competencies. Here are the steps you need to follow.

With 400,000 inhabitants only, Zurich is not only Switzerland's most densely populated city but also its economic and financial hub. Moving to Zurich for your studies can thus be an exciting experience at all levels.

Health insurance is compulsory for anyone living in Switzerland. Within 3 months after registering you have to provide proof of insurance to the city where you live.