Swiss Horizons: An Interview with Ashley Hall Rotary Scholar Lizzie Russler by: Suzie Prentice

Ashley Hall student and Rotary Youth Scholar, Lizzie Russler, poses with the Matterhorn. Photo by: Lizzie Russler

           Ashley Hall, throughout its history, has continuously expanded its international awareness, from hosting students from around the world, to recently sending its own students abroad. Last year Lizzie Russler, an Ashley Hall student, applied to the Rotary Youth Program and has since been living in Switzerland through this program. Recently, I was able to interview Lizzie about her journey. She explained to me the cultural differences she has discovered.

            Although Lizzie now loves Switzerland and the people there, she had difficulties in the beginning. The language barrier was certainly one. She stated that in the beginning the language was so exhausting that after school, “I would go home and go to bed.” She would sometimes even go to her room to blog, but now she says she has no time to blog, only to quickly write in her journal. She has “too much life to write.” 
          Lizzie is living in a part of Switzerland that speaks Swiss German, a dialect of High German, or regular German. But now, after only five months of living abroad, she is fluent in High German and continues to progress every day. According to her advice, the best way to learn a new language is to watch television and listen to music from the country. School has helped her learn the language, too; however, there are some differences between Swiss and American education. After middle school kids can work if desired. She was shocked upon seeing a 15 year old helping her at the bank. In school there are more tests than in America but less homework and strangely no essays so far. Lizzie explained to me that she still must do her Ashley Hall work. Even though she has a lot of work, she says she is thankful to her teachers who have let her go at her own pace since this year “is about me learning German and fitting a lifetime into a year.”

            The Rotary Youth Program is another thing she is grateful for in her life. Lizzie describes it as, “an amazing program, that works for the betterment of others, and society.” Rotary helps people around the world connect, allowing students to explore the world through this once and a lifetime opportunity and be involved in traditions tourists are never able to experience. The opportunity for Lizzie has entailed attending a Swiss school, living with a Swiss family, and learning the language. When asked what her favorite part was so far she laughed and said, “I hate that question! It’s the hardest! I could give you so many examples.” One of the examples she told me about was how she had a weekend in the mountains where she was went into a glacier ice palace. Upon examining the walls, she discovered plastic covering the ice and soon realized that this was because the glacier is melting. She realized how lucky she was to have seen this vanishing sight. Lizzie kept wondering why more people don’t do take these kind of opportunities to travel. This is another life lesson she has learned--to always say “yes” to new opportunities. She doesn’t want to miss anything in her time abroad. Many of her other Rotary friends have gotten homesick and hesitate, but, she says, “You make your own fun. You can make it better.” She encourages people to adapt to life.

In addition to all these life skills, Lizzie has explored much of Europe. Rotary has given her a train pass that allows her to get 40 dollar train rides for free, and therefore she has been able to visit other European countries such as Italy, Venice, Sweden and soon France. Switzerland is in the middle of so many different cultures and languages, “It is such a great location,” she says. “It’s so cool.” Truly the lesson she has learned is “the best education comes from outside.” This is one eye opening journey.

Lizzie Russler in Switzerland. Photo by: Lizzie Russler

            Switzerland, as a country, she loves immensely. It is such a beautiful country, it’s like, “walking through a postcard.” The people she explains as stylish, even the boys go shopping and walk out carrying shopping bags. Another difference is that in Switzerland, she describes, sports only meet once or twice a week. She also describes the people there seeming more closed, “but once they are your friend,” she states, “you know they are your friend for life. They don’t judge you.” Swiss people in general are “loyal, very smart, creative, and a lot less wasteful.” Also a commonality in Swiss people is that they all seem to be very time conscious and stressed about being late. Lizzie also warned against stereo-typing, since some of her friends there imagined all Americans to be fat. They were surprised when she didn’t like McDonalds. People must realize that not everyone from a country is the same. 

            Lizzie Russler also loves the food that the Swiss eat. “There are so many types of bread here,” she told me. When she first arrived she was shocked by how much bread and butter they ate. While she ate an apple at break, they ate bread. Dairy products are huge in Switzerland as well. She has seen many well taken care of dairy cows there, as opposed to the meat ones that seem to be more commonly found in America. In addition, she has learned that these cows produce milk for chocolate, and, in fact, milk chocolate was invented in Switzerland. Switzerland is still home to many chocolate companies. Lizzie describes the chocolate as being delicious and plentiful in Switzerland. She still wonders how she, “will ever be able to finish off the large box of it in [her] room.”

            After these five months Lizzie says she “could literally talk forever about [Swizerland].” She is inspired to help with Rotary in any way possible, even hoping to host a student someday. Lizzie told me she has become more passionate about the world and traveling. Because of this experience, she knows more about what she wants to do when she is older. Lizzie wants to travel more and be involved with the world and the people in it. Even though she has already learned so much more about the world, Lizzie plans to learn more languages, and wants to further broaden her horizons. Lizzie says, “I am more mature, open-minded, and tolerant. I’ve learned how to be more independent, more alone. I don’t care what other people think. Once I stopped caring what others think, it’s a whole different freedom.”

            Having spoken to Lizzie about her experiences, it was obvious that she was very happy and comfortable with herself. Lizzie has stepped outside her comfort zone and challenged herself. In doing so, she has not only broadened her own knowledge and understanding, but also she is helping to break down international barriers. There is something for everyone to learn through Lizzie’s experiences and their own international experiences someday!

Special thanks to Lizzie Russler to have taken time out of her Swiss life.