Chantal Panozzo
Originally from Chicago, USA, Chantal Panozzo arrived in Baden, Switzerland in 2006, relieved to discover a country where people can actually pronounce her name. An award-winning copywriter and freelance writer, Chantal divides her time between writing ads and writing articles. Her stories about Switzerland have appeared everywhere from the Christian Science Monitor to Swiss News, where she writes the monthly “Expat Adventure” column. Chantal is also a recent recipient of the Rosalie Fleming Memorial Humor Prize for her satire on the airline industry. More about Chantal can be found on her website (www.chantalpanozzo.com).
Hometown: Naperville, IL
School: University of Illinois and Virginia Commonwealth University's Adcenter
Where I've Lived Abroad: Baden, Switzerland
The Raclette Rant
Auf Wiedersehen
30 Jun 2009
Ade. Auf Wiedersehen. Tschüss. Au revoir. Ciao. My time as a Glimpse Correspondent is coming to a close, but my ... read more
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Switzerland
HOW TO: Speak "Swiss"
One minute, the train announcement is in German. An hour later, it’s in French. Then you get off the train and everyone is speaking Italian. Welcome to Switzerland, where ... read more
09 Jun 2009
Switzerland
SLIDESHOW: Outdoors In Switzerland
Wettingen, a small town about 15 miles west of Zurich, boasts beautiful walking trails, especially in May when the mustard ... read more
04 Aug 2009
Switzerland
A Raging Party Turned My 73-Year-Old Neighbor Into My Friend
“This is katastrophe!” Frau Voller, my 73 year-old neighbor, stood on the balcony of my apartment, a look of disgust on her face as she assessed the state of my ... read more
20 Jul 2009
Insider Tips
Switzerland
Bring them from Home
At first glance, it appears that almost every other book you’ll find in Switzerland is written in English. Even after living in Switzerland for three years, I still fall ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Take Public Transport
Don’t even think about driving a car around Switzerland. There’s no need. The tram will take to you the train that takes you to the bus that takes ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Carnival in Basel
To see Switzerland at its least Swiss (or most Swiss, depending on how you look at it) don’t miss Carnival in Basel, held every winter. Creative costumes and masks ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Stop that Smiling
If you go around smiling at people and being overly friendly, the Swiss will think you have mental problems. I have had to train myself not to look directly at ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Swim at the Spa
Visit a Swiss spa. For about $20, you can relax in a bubbling swimming pool filled with hot mineral water. Some spas have jets for body massages, bubbling lounge chairs ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Wrestle for a Cow
Don't miss a Schwingen match. Schwingen is a popular form of Swiss Wrestling. While hiking the Alps, you just might come upon a couple of men wearing burlap diapers ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Enjoy your meal
When you sit down to eat in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, do not start eating your food until you have said, "En Guete" to everyone you’re sitting with ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Nothing is Free
Don't expect extras. Bread doesn't come with butter. Fries don't come with ketchup. A ham sandwich doesn't come with lettuce and a tomato. A Coke doesn ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
The Original
Most films are shown in their original language in Swiss movie theaters since the population speaks so many languages themselves. If the film is shown in English with German and ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Come for one season. Pack for them all.
Umbrellas. Sweaters. Hiking Shoes. Don't end up like one of those tourists in shorts standing on the top of a snowy mountain in July wondering why they're cold ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Don't Declare
Declare a religion when you register to live in Switzerland and you've just set yourself up to pay extra taxes. After all, nothing is free in Switzerland. Not even ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Watch Your Borders
Switzerland has very few national laws; most things are determined by state. And Switzerland, a third of the size of Illinois, has 26 of them. This means that within a ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Listen for Stress
Radio Stations. Restaurants. The Singing Christmas Tree at the Zurich Christmas Market. They all have one thing in common--American music. Unfortunately, it's hard to find much Swiss influence in ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Bad Teams. Loyal Fans.
Soccer. Most Europeans will think there's something wrong with you if you're not a fan. The Swiss are no exception. Even though their team is usually kicked out ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
One Show. Four languages.
Switzerland does a lot of low-budget rip-offs of German and American TV shows. One fun example to look for is the Swiss show, Supermodel, where a bunch of girls compete ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Bring your black
To me, Switzerland often looks like an endless funeral procession--at least in Zurich. Black coats. Black boots. Black skinny jeans. To fit in, wear your black and wear it tight ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Go Online
Nothing like a first date activity of milking a cow. But then again, this is nothing out of the ordinary--at least in rural areas of Switzerland. To find your future ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
The Big Desk
The best part about going to a doctor in Switzerland is the "Big Desk." While still in your street clothes, you will talk with the doctor at their desk and ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
It is shitting on me
“Es scheisst mich an”, literally means, “it is shitting on me” in German. But don’t worry, it’s really just an angry way of saying “I’ve had enough ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Lollipop, Lollipop
If you want to try something a little different, try going to a Swiss Lollipop Party. Besides lollipops hanging from the ceiling of the club, you'll be treated to ... read more
02 Apr 2009
Switzerland
Obama Mania
Before Obama was elected, I used to whisper a lot. I didn't want people to hear my American English and not like me because of it. But after Obama ... read more
