We welcome you to our newest interview in our weekly series. Here we interview each week somebody from the community and learn a bit more about their lives. This week, from Vancouver, Canada: 🇨🇦

Serena Bonomi, an Italian teacher living in Vancouver, BC, shared her journey of coming to Canada as an au pair and eventually deciding to stay after meeting her partner. Born in Ticino, Switzerland, Serena still feels a strong connection to her home country.

What is your name and where are you living now?
 
My name is Serena Bonomi and I currently live in Vancouver, BC, in Canada. I work as an Italian teacher.
 
Could you tell us what brought you to Canada in the first place? 
 
Certainly! I first came to Vancouver to have an experience abroad, working as an au pair and taking care of (then) 5 year old Venture, (then) 3 year old Sailor and (then) 1 year old Wilder. Then I met here my current partner, Jhon, and I finally decided to stay! Therefore I hadn't planned to move here at first, but now I have been living here for almost 5 years!

Attached I will send you one more picture: Jhon and me at Machu Picchu, Peru, in 2019. Jhon is an immigrant in Canada as well, as he is originally from Peru.
 
What is your connection to Switzerland? Have you been born there, or do you have some roots in Switzerland? 
 
I was born in Ticino, the only completely Italian speaking Canton, and my whole family still lives in Switzerland (in Ticino and Grigioni).
 
What is the thing that you miss about Switzerland the most?
 
My family, of course, especially my parents, Mauro and Lorena, and my two nephews: William and Benjamin. The food (cheese and chocolate in particular) is a solid second.
 
What do you think is better or do you like more in your new country?
 
I think that Canada and Switzerland are pretty similar in many aspects, but as I now live in a city, compared to a small town, I find that people here are more open-minded and you can meet people from all over the world.
 
Do you have any plans of returning soon? For vacations or permanently.
 
I go back to Switzerland every year to visit my family and I hope one day to return to live there, but not in the near future.