Efi, short for a name that shall not be said, is a 29 year old woman, originally from Athens, where she studied Architecture. She came to Switzerland 3 and half years ago, to study in the ETH in Zurich. She has been living in Basel for the last 1 and half years, with her boyfriend. She works in a small architecture studio. When she was a child she dreamt of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Very similar profession, right?
She hasn’t been in Portugal yet, but she is planning to go next year to Lisbon and Porto (let’s se which one she prefers to stir up the long lasting rivalry between these two cities). Efi doesn’t remember what idea she had about Portugal before she met Sara. For now when she thinks about Portugal, the ocean and heavy food pop up in her mind.

Hugo, a Lisboner of 30 years of age. He studied Biochemistry, and now he is doing a PhD in Structural Biology, for already 4 years, here in Basel. He lives with is girlfriend Joana, who is also Portuguese. From his experience here in Basel he will take confidence. And and empty luggage, actually to be able to bring things from Portugal! He finds there is not so much prejudice towards the Portuguese. “The Portuguese, after all are the ones who the Swiss dislike the least!” What he misses most about Portugal is the food and the human warmth.

Joana, 26 year old, lives in Basel for 2 years and 16 days (as of the date when we met). She has studied Pharmaceutical Sciences and she is working for Bayer on Qualitiy Control. She will take from Basel life experience and knowledge. When people around her know she is Portuguese she has felt a very good reaction about it, any kind of negativism towards Portuguese people. From her homeland she misses the beach, her family and friends. The food she is not missing that much, because Hugo cooks for her!).

Daniela, who is soon to become 29 years old, comes from Montijo (a city south of Lisbon). She has studied Celullar and Molecular Biology as her Bachelor, and Pharmaceutical and Therapeutical Chemistry as her Master. She will take from Switzerland chocolates with almonds and sausages wrapped with bacon (there is no such a think in Portugal, and she loves them!).
She will also bring an enormous capacity of networking, as she has dealt with people from the most varied backgrounds. And a nice CV, as she has been working in one of the big Pharma companies of the world. Usually the first reaction she gets when people know she is Portuguese is “Cristiano Ronaldo!”, specially if they are men. She thinks the people around here are accustomed to the Portuguese, so the reactions are quite positive. From Portugal she misses the weather. The sun, without a doubt. The warmth of the people. And batata palha (very thinly sliced potato chips). Here they cost 5CHF and in Portugal you can get them for 90cent! She always brings some packages in her bag every time she goes to Portugal, so that she can cook bacalhau à brás (a codfish dish that really needs this type of chips).

Leonor, 32 years old, has studied Applied Chemistry, she has done a Phd in Biochemistry, and she is now doing her Post-Doc in Structural Biology. She has been living in Basel already for 3 and half years. When people hear speak Portuguese they think she is speaking Russian. And people have the feeling that there are a lot of Portuguese around here. The lifestyle is something she will take with her from her stay in Basel. To do more with her time, to live more the street, to be more active, in general to enjoy more the city life. She answers straight away to what she misses most about Portugal: the people.