Living in Geneva, especially as an intern, is an incredible experience. My new environment has allowed me to meet many people from all over the world, largely facilitated by my stay in a hostel. After an hour spent cooking the communal kitchen, you can meet many interesting people, many of whom are also interns at one of the many NGOs or intergovernmental organizations stationed in the city. Everyone I have met has incredible stories to tell of their own travels abroad or of other experiences working in international relations or public health. I’ve found our discussions of the work we’re doing, or hope to do, some of the most interesting and instructive experiences of my time here here.
With the friends I’ve made at the hostel, I’m trying to experience all Geneva has to offer in the summer, which I’ve heard retains a vibrancy over other times of year (Geneva is not exactly known for its nightlife). Recently, a weekend-long music festival took place, with stages set up all over Geneva, tucked into courtyards in the old town, parks and public squares. The city’s summer parade also took place, marked by an excess of techno music and people in tutus running around spraying over-heated onlookers with water guns. My friends and I have also been spending as much time as possible in the city’s exceptionally clean (especially compared to my own Lake Michigan in Chicago) lake, as a heatwave is sweeping much of Western Europe (so far it’s gotten up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit).
Simply walking around Geneva, or taking the bus to and from work, affords plenty of pleasure, as well. It’s fun to observe how multi-cultural the city is, as a significant percentage of its residents are not Swiss. You can hear many different languages just walking around the city, as see people in many different types of dress, visit Japanese restaurants and, like I did a few days ago, eat at an Ethiopian restaurant which takes on more of a night-club vibe during the weekend after dark. The old town, where my hostel is located, is also exceedingly charming. Everyday I pass medieval facades on my way to work, which now front high-end bike shops and cafes that have finally gotten me into coffee.
I have enjoyed exploring Geneva and adapting to my new surroundings immensely. With the help of new friends and some locals, I’ve found the transition from the US to Switzerland to be more fun than anything else. Geneva offers plenty of relaxation when you need it, but also sustains a driven buzz, rooted in its banking culture, the presence of some of the most powerful organizations in the world, and the orderly tick of Swiss life (Clock-related pun? Not sorry). I hope to find myself in Geneva again some day. Until then, I’ll have plenty of memories of work and taking in the city to sustain me.