“My expatriate journey began in my mid-twenties when I left Melbourne, Australia – my home since childhood.”
After studies in logic, German & English literature and linguistics, I pivoted to accounting and securities. This provided the opportunity to transition from an investment bank in a modern Melbourne office tower with views towards my home in the Dandenongs, to a merchant bank in Frankfurt am Main, with a paternoster, a dour HR manager, and lots of fun, well-educated US & UK expats – who liked to scratch messages on the ‘70s carpeted wall in my office. What started as a short-term adventure in the early ‘90s, evolved into a European odyssey through Germany, Luxembourg, back to Germany and finally to Switzerland in 2007. Since leaving Melbourne, it’s been a constant lesson in navigating much more patriarchal structures in business, as well as the nuances of cross-cultural communication — sometimes amusing, often challenging, always enlightening. Adaptability, a sense of humour and friendships with fellow expats for someone with little family, proved essential to thriving abroad. I chose to stay in cosmopolitan Zurich, because the quality of life, standard of living and excellent infrastructure makes daily life (compared to other financial centres), very pleasant. But there is always a price to be paid, and it’s often a case of balancing independence to follow career opportunities with personal ties (which gave me a home away from home in the UK for many years).
After a devastating personal loss a few years ago and the necessity to rebuild, it was time to utilise that adaptability again. 2024 marked the launch of my remote support business, insourcing work from business owners, executives and company boards – in everything from digital presence management, corporate communications, bookkeeping and corporate events — enquiries welcome! Joining more business & social groups, has renewed my sense of purpose and fuelled my renewed enjoyment of all that Switzerland’s lakes, gardens and cities have to offer. AICZ with its unique blend of professional networking & socialising has already provided many enjoyable opportunities to engage with fellow expats and Swiss natives alike. My bucket list still includes “going walkabout” now and then: renovating a cottage (location TBD) and travelling within Europe and further afield. But if there’s one thing being a dedicated expat has taught me, it’s that five-year plans generally have a mind of their own.
Yvonne Nagel
