My name is Nour, and I am a law student from the University of Tel-Aviv. I chose to apply for an exchange semester since it has been something I was interested in doing from the very beginning of my bachelor’s degree. Something about experiencing a new place with diverse cultures and people sounds appealing and exciting, especially when you are a twenty-one-year-old introverted person.
Nour Gandour, Law
Illustration: Darline Vainer, HSLU Digital Ideation
Even though I was incredibly thrilled with the idea of leaving for Switzerland for one semester, it wasn’t hard to think of reasons that make me an unfitting candidate. Although it may sound like an over-exaggeration, this semester has changed me in many ways. Before my exchange, I didn’t have sufficient social skills and relationships, as I used to be more shy and reserved. I also didn’t know how to cook since my mother would usually cook, and street-food is cheap and within hand’s reach, but these things changed.
Although I had some hesitations, I still embarked on my exchange semester in the beautiful city of Lucerne. I believe that my words would never amount to my gratitude. This semester managed to impact me in many ways and different aspects of my life. I don’t think that it’s due to specific moments that shaped me in a way, rather an accumulation of it all. But even though my time here was always significant and meaningful, I can recall moments that I will cherish forever.
Flatmates
One of the first things I learned during my exchange is how different people and cultures are, and how to deal and interact with those divergences. My flat is a micro-universe, containing five people from inherently dissimilar parts of the world. For this reason, the interactions around the apartment, as well as our expectations from each other, are different. Things that are taboo for one could be understood or be done differently for another, making mutual understandings and close relationships hard to form.
After three months of living there, we still don’t go beyond small talk when seeing each other around the flat. I could complain about it, but I also find myself thankful to have this strange dynamic in the flat. It permits me to learn how to deal and coexist with people who aren’t the same as me, and how to stand up for the things I am not willing to compensate for when living diversely together.
Socializing
Shortly after finishing my mandatory quarantine, I started my mission of meeting new people in Bar 59. That night I put on my confident pants and started socializing. Though not an easy mission, it is a necessary one when you’re a foreigner in a new place and without anyone you know.
The bar offers a diverse space where you could meet both people like me who are exchange-foreigners, as well as some locals. With the help of alcohol and a good excuse to sing songs with strangers, I managed to make new acquaintances that would, later on, become my friends. I also managed to put my shy self to rest and start feeling more comfortable talking to new people.
I also got to learn that meeting new people is a self-reflective tool. When I introduce myself to new people, especially in a party setting, no one holds an obligation to talk and make friends. So, if people choose to stay or even keep in touch with me in the following days, I would know that it’s a genuine interest of theirs arising from what I, Nour, may bring to the table.
Daring
During my exchange, I had the opportunity to go to the mountains to study with a group of strangers. Usually, I wouldn’t even consider saying yes to such an offer, but this time I agreed. I was scared and anxious when I met everyone. Not only was I consumed by the fear that they wouldn’t like me, but I was also concerned with the language barriers as they are Swiss natives with German as a mother tongue, and I am not.
By the time we would have dinner, all my concerns and doubts were gone. I enjoyed my time with them and was even able to form close friendships with some of them. Therefore, by going to Elm, I learned to be more open to new experiences, meet new people, and step out of my comfort zone because all of these three may lead to cherishable outcomes.
Cooking
As for cooking and especially if you wondered about my capability to provide myself with nutrition, yes, coming to Switzerland had made me a skillful chef capable of making edible and nutritious food. I went from how-to-make-pasta to being an oh-I-actually-can-cook-things kind of girl. I am glad that I got to engage in the kitchen and to try making some traditional Arabic dishes that I would miss from home.
I found out that cooking food brings me genuine joy and a sense of accomplishment. I also enjoy it because it brings people together. There is this saying, «the closest way to the heart is through the stomach» – now I can see how. Cooking for and eating with others are simple ways to get together, and I immensely enjoy it.
Rice
Before I left for Switzerland, I lived in a somewhat homogenous environment, making it hard to identify customs and habits that may seem unusual to others. But when I arrived in Switzerland it became easy to spot the things that are distinct to my culture and ethnic background.
For instance, rice is a simple dish, yet I learned that people here don’t mix it with yogurt, whereas we always do. I also learned that it’s not cooked with fidelli, as we would do it at home.
Essentially, rice made me realize that many things that are somehow obvious and normal to me, are inherently different for others.
My exchange is something that I will surely treasure, and I am glad I got to experience it in such a wonderful way. I truly wish I could do it all over again.
