An Interview with Ella

When I told you that we were going to move to Switzerland, what did you think?

I was really excited. I thought we were going to move to a big country full of chocolate! And bread! And cheese!

And what did you think after the first few weeks?

Once I started school it was still really fun. The kids were being friendly to me, and school wasn't hard at all.

But was it hard to learn German?

Yeah. I had to go to special German classes when the other kids were having fun in PE and Handarbeit for a bit in the first year. That wasn't very fun for me. Once I missed a contest in PE for candy because of my German lesson. But I guess I'm glad I learned it. It's much easier to communicate and make friends.

Can you understand everything that everyone says?

Not everything, but a lot. Most.

What's your favorite class in school?

Oh, PE, definitely! One time they had swinging on ropes! And I really like all the jumping and the running around. I'm not so good at soccer or hockey, but I really like it.

What's your favorite place to play?

That's a toughie. I like the big playground by the community center, but I think I like the one at my school best. Even though it's so small, because there are so many high thing to jump off of.


And there are so many cute first graders who follow me around. They always say "Hello, hello, hello!" And the older kids like to follow me around, too. They ask me questions all the time, like "What is your favorite color?" and "What is your favorite animal?" Magenta, turtle...they really need to learn how to ask more questions in English!

What's your favorite day trip that we've taken?

Disneyland!

No no, I mean, like a trip that we took in one day. Like to the castles, or parks, or to other cities?

Oh. Oops. Maybe the ones to the swimming pool with the giant floaties and the waterslide, across the street. I really like our sports center.

What was your favorite vacation?

I already answered that. But actually, I think I'll change it to Europa-Park. Because they tried to copy Disneyland, mostly, but when they had a better idea they used it. 



Do you like riding on trains?

I guess it's nice. I like having all that space to yourself. And there's no traffic. You never have to wait.



Are you excited about going home?

No. Well...I want to see my friends. I'm not really sure, actually. I just really, really want more time with the friends I'm with now.


And I really have it made here. I have a really great room, and I can walk to school, which is a huge privilege, and I can buy my own candy, and my best friend lives in the next-door building. You were right, mom. For a while, when I was getting teased, I didn't like it here, and you told me I'd never want to leave.

I'm always right. What's your favorite thing about living in Switzerland?

Probably school. Mom, I'm really sad that we're leaving. About six or seven more days before we leave.

What advice would you give to another little girl, if she told you she was moving to Switzerland?

I'd tell her that the kids there play tough, and they tease you if you can't speak German,  but once you get to know everybody, you can have some really good friends there and play some amazing games...


Wait, no! I would advise her to send me chocolate.