Both the Basel and Zurich chapters hosted very lively, Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) funded events on the theme of “Integrating in Switzerland while maintaining your Irish Roots“.

The Basel event was held in the famous Markthalle in Basel city.

The Basel chapter was very fortunate to have two excellent and engaging speakers from contrasting industries, Jehr Collins from Novartis and Denis Hourigan from Dufry’s. Both spoke openly about their personal experiences and what it meant for them to live in Switzerland whilst maintaining their Irish roots.

In Zurich, a panel discussion with John Kelly and Jane Deane Babb explored the soft skills so evident in Irish culture that are highly valued in today’s business world, as well as discussing strategies for keeping a strong connection to Ireland while living away from home. 

Text: Trisha Corrigan & Geraldine O’Grady, Image: Trisha Corrigan, June 2018