Beyond the Alps - Learn Swiss German

In this episode, I explore one of the biggest challenges many newcomers face: building real friendships in Switzerland. Inspired by Rick Warren’s powerful reflection on what truly matters at the end of life, we talk about why human connection is essential — and why it can feel especially difficult to find in Switzerland. You’ll learn: why Swiss friend groups often feel closed or hard to enter how language and dialect create invisible barriers why even a few Swiss German words can open doors the easiest places to meet people and make new friends practical steps to feel more at home and build genuine connections This episode is perfect for expats, internationals, or anyone trying to understand Swiss social culture. If you’ve ever felt lonely, stuck, or unsure how to connect with locals, this conversation will give you clarity — and hope. Transcripts: The Swiss German transcript of every episode was written by myself, by hand — because no software can truly capture the beauty of the dialect.  ⁠Get it here. My Patreon supporters receive all episode transcripts as part of their perks — thank you for helping me share Swiss German with the world.

Explore one of the biggest linguistic debates in Switzerland: is Swiss German just a dialect, or could it actually be considered a language of its own? You’ll learn what defines a language, why Swiss German doesn’t (yet) meet the criteria and what would need to change for it to be officially recognised. And, of course, I’ll share my personal take as a proud Swiss German speaker. Transcripts: The Swiss German transcript of every episode was written by myself, by hand — because no software can truly capture the beauty of the dialect. ⁠⁠Get it here⁠⁠ ⁠⁠. ⁠⁠My Patreon supporters⁠⁠ receive all episode transcripts as part of their perks — thank you for helping me share Swiss German with the world.

⁠Get the Transcript⁠! Ever wondered how to fit in like a real Swiss? In this episode, I’ll tell you what to do, and what not to do, if you don’t want to get a side-eye from a Swiss person. From punctuality to politeness, and of course, the art of being a little bit “Bünzli”. Discover the unspoken rules of everyday life in Switzerland — through my own experiences and stories as someone who grew up here. Transcripts: The Swiss German transcript of every episode was written by myself, by hand — because no software can truly capture the beauty of the dialect. ⁠Get it here⁠ ⁠⁠. ⁠My Patreon supporters⁠ receive all episode transcripts as part of their perks — thank you for helping me share Swiss German with the world.