In our email interview, we connected with Maia Fassbind, a high school senior residing in Santa Barbara, CA, to delve into her Swiss background. With her father originating from Switzerland and her dual citizenship, Maia shares her nostalgic longing for Switzerland's summer camp and you can learn many more things about her.

What is your name and where are you living now?
 
Maia Fassbind and I live in Santa Barbara, CA and I’m a high school senior! I will be starting college in the fall at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and study nursing.
 
What is your connection to Switzerland? Have you been born there, or do you have some roots in Switzerland? 
 
My dad is from Switzerland so I have dual citizenship and all his family still lives there! I'm also a part of my local Santa Barbara Swiss Club and get to connect with other Swiss people often.

What is the thing that you miss about Switzerland the most?
 
I miss the cleanliness, convenient public transportation, and the quality of life there. Everything is just so much easier there. I really miss rivella and other unique Swiss foods such as Rösti. It's a favorite of mine. My dad makes a good rusti and we still eat traditional Swiss foods sometimes, especially at monthly events that the Swiss Club holds.
 
What do you think is better or do you like more in your new country?
 
Well that’s a hard question since it’s very different in the United States compared to Switzerland so I’m not sure. In my opinion Switzerland is better than the US. 😂
 
Do you have any plans of returning soon? For vacations or permanently.

I don’t have plans yet to return on vacation but wish I could do my last summer camp through SJAS/OSA but unfortunately am not able to. It was one of my favorite things to do growing up during the summers. I got to meet kids from all around the world who have connections to Switzerland like I do and I still stay in touch with them! Hopefully I will be able to go back and visit within the next couple years! I have thought about becoming an au-pair for a Swiss family during summer break in college so maybe I will do that.