I love Switzerland!
In fact, I love it so much that I will be moving to Switzerland early next year to finish my PhD work. The visa forms have been filled out, and I have a contract starting the 1st of February 2011!
Although there are myriad reasons for me to move to Switzerland (mountains, anyone?), the major reason that I am moving is for my job. I love my job here to the point where I no longer suffer from 'the Mondays'! I am incredibly excited about the opportunities that I will have here to develop and grow and learn as a chemist. ETH is really one of the best places in the world to do the chemistry that I do and to learn from others who are interested in similar subjects. The work environment here is really positive and stimulating, and I enjoy being part of a larger group and being in the same country (and building, even!) as my boss. Although it might seem trivial, the fact that I can see tree leaves out the window by my lab bench is also a huge positive...
Of course, I will miss my puppy, family and friends (not necessarily in that order), as well as my church and Minnesota in general. But the PhD is a huge investment of blood, sweat and tears, and I have decided that I may as well get the most development and learning out of it as I possibly can. I would never ever have expected this- moving to Switzerland has never been in my life plans- but it seems like this is the right thing at the right time, and I am really excited to see what these next couple of years will bring!
I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.
-Rosalia de Castro
