Swiss Week 2024

It was a week we had been looking forward to for years: Swiss Week with our international colleagues from Serbia and Croatia. For many years, we have worked closely together, exchanging daily over digital channels and solving problems that arise in everyday work. But finally, the moment had come to take the collaboration to a new level – in the real world, not just virtually. The visit of our "Remoties" to Switzerland became a reality, and it was an unforgettable experience that deeply affected us all.

Arrival and First Encounters

From October 20th to 27th, we were finally able to welcome our colleagues here in Switzerland. Alexandra had the honor of picking up our guests who flew in from Belgrade at Zurich airport. Martin welcomed the other employees from Croatia in Bern, who arrived by car and even by motorcycle. The anticipation and joy of finally meeting the people who had accompanied us virtually for years in person was indescribable.

On Monday, we kicked off the week together in our office in Bern-Liebefeld. After such a long time of only seeing each other through screens, it was a very special experience to work side by side every day and to chat personally over a coffee during breaks. The personal exchange brought a new, more intense togetherness that motivated and inspired the entire team.

Tuesday: Photoshoot for the New Website

Tuesday brought another highlight: A professional photo shooting with Manuel Castellote from www.branding-fotografie.ch for our new website. It wasn't just about beautiful pictures, but also about capturing the connection and team spirit that characterizes our collaboration. The camera captured the best moments while we laughed, posed together, and made a few jokes. Our "Remoties" clearly enjoyed themselves, and the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere was reflected in the great pictures that were taken. It was wonderful to see the faces that we usually knew only through a screen in their full dynamism and authenticity.

Wednesday: Team Outing to the Bernese Alps

On Wednesday, we had our team outing, which we have already described in a separate blog post. It was the perfect opportunity to show off Swiss nature and culture and to strengthen the team bond. Together we experienced an unforgettable journey through the Bernese Alps, which brought us many laughs, exciting conversations, and unforgettable impressions. The dense fog, the scooter ride, and the breathtaking moments on Niederhorn were the highlights of an outing that will be remembered by all participants for a long time.

Thursday: Free Exploration of Switzerland

On Thursday, our international employees had the chance to explore Switzerland on their own. They used the opportunity to discover the surroundings, visit landmarks, and simply enjoy the diversity of Switzerland. Whether it was roadtrip through the swiss passes, visiting Lucerne, or taking a walk through the city of Bern – Thursday offered the freedom to experience the country in their own way. It was a valuable opportunity to further discover the cultural differences and similarities we have in the team and to share the fascination of diversity.

Friday: A Cozy Evening at Alexandra and Roman's

Friday evening was the crowning finale of the week. Alexandra and Roman invited us to their home. Together with our "Remoties", they prepared "Momos," small dumplings known for their savory fillings. There was chopping, chatting, laughing, and of course, toasting in the kitchen. A special treat was the Rakija that our colleagues had brought from their homeland – a strong and flavorful symbol of hospitality.

Cultural Discoveries and Linguistic Peculiarities

The evening offered us a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the cultures of our guests and to share linguistic peculiarities. For example, we learned that the windshield is called "Schofförscheibe" in Croatia, a name that reflects old German-speaking influences. The word "Schuster" is also widespread in the former Yugoslavia and also has German roots. Another example is the word "Kübel," which is commonly used in many parts of the Balkans and also originates from German. These examples show how cultural and linguistic influences have been adopted over the centuries and become a fixed part of everyday life.

The conversations on these topics were not only educational but also incredibly entertaining. We laughed a lot, exchanged anecdotes, and felt how this time together brought us closer as a team. The "Remoties" brought a part of their culture into our home, and we shared a piece of Swiss coziness with them. This connection made the evening truly special.

Departure and a New Understanding of Teamwork

After such a wonderful end to the week, our colleagues set off on their way home on Saturday. Some traveled back by car and motorcycle, while Martin accompanied the others to the airport for their flight back to Belgrade. The week we had planned and looked forward to for so long went by much faster than we could have imagined. But it left its mark – in the best possible way.

The memories of these days remain, and we are sure that this week will forever change the way we work together. Our daily "stand-up" meetings, which will continue, now have a new dimension thanks to this personal encounter. The bonds formed through these personal meetings will help us tackle future challenges even better.

Looking Ahead: Plans for More Weeks Together

We are already talking about plans to repeat such weeks in the future. Perhaps the next meeting will even take place in Serbia or Croatia. The idea of visiting our "Remoties" in their home countries makes us look forward to the future with excitement. We are curious about the adventures and experiences that await us there. One thing is certain: This week was not the end but the beginning of even closer collaboration and deeper understanding of each other.

We look forward to continuing to grow together, creating new memories, and constantly reviving the collaboration we have known so far only online with personal encounters. Swiss Week 2024 will remain in our memory – and we can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

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