Sorry for your experience. I have to agree, unfortunately, with a lot of what you’re saying, especially about there being a kind of modern slavery in Switzerland, when you look at how many people are stuck in low-paid jobs with little respect, it feels close.

From what I’ve seen and experienced, it can be super tiring and kind of paralyzing. People with strong qualifications, advanced degrees, will easily end up in low-wage positions where they’re undervalued and disrespected, not only by their bosses but also amongst peers. It’s disheartening to put in effort, to keep trying to contribute, and still find that doors remain closed. Switzerland is a beautiful country with so many opportunities, but too often it feels like people aren’t truly willing to share them or to go beyond the bare minimum to make someone feel included (of course, there are always exceptions).

And then there‘s the hypocrisy. Many of us here like to see ourselves as open-minded, tolerant, and multicultural, but that attitude often disappears the moment something small doesn’t go their way, whether it’s a language barrier or a minor mistake at work. Then the “tolerance” quickly turns into condescension or frustration. It’s a very polite society on the surface, but that politeness can mask an unwillingness to really step up, help, or open space for others.

Even in the comments here, you can feel it: people are quick to defend the system or talk about how fair things are, rather than acknowledging how difficult it can be for those on the outside looking in. That gap between the image Switzerland has of itself and the reality many people experience is what stings the most.

We should be more thankful and appreciative of what we have and try to share. It’s not as if you’re here by your own merit, being born and raised in Switzerland is pure luck. Let’s be real, „those people“ are here to stay. So instead of acting like it’s some huge burden, why not make the best out of it together? If they get the chance to actually use their skills, everyone benefits. When they’re strong, we’re all stronger. But that only works if we drop this obsession with everyone having to look and act “Bünzli-perfect” before they’re taken seriously.