Elena, could you please tell us more about your exchange experience?

I study Sport Science and English at the University of Bern. As part of my English degree, I had to either study, work or volunteer in an English-speaking country. I went to Galway in Ireland on a volunteering exchange as an au-pair for two families. The first three months I spent with a family who had an eight-month-old son. Then I worked for another three months for a different family, with a new-born baby and two children aged two and five. I discovered during my time in Ireland that I have a talent for looking after children.

Why did you go to Ireland?

I had been to Ireland before and was really looking forward to getting to know the country and its people more. But my number one priority in life is football; I have been playing football since I was six years old. Until I went to Ireland, I played for Femina Kickers Worb. So, I first had to find a place in a football team before I could organise anything else. I joined the Galway Women’s Football Club, which plays in the Women’s National League. With my passion for football taken care of, I proceeded to search for a host family in Ireland.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your stay abroad?

I arrived in the middle of a “level 5” lockdown, which essentially means you have to stay at home at all times. One is allowed to exercise within 5 kilometres from home, but that’s it: no restaurants, no shopping (other than food), and no meeting friends. When I arrived, I had to go into quarantine in a tiny room. A meal was put in front of my door once in a while and I had to use a mask in the bathroom. Since the National League was allowed to play, football training gave me a few moments of relief. These were the only times when I was allowed to go out – without football, I would have lost my mind.

Which cultural differences would you highlight?

I could tell you about hard drinking (laughs). More seriously, the FC Galway trainer always used to tell me “you did really well, I think you’ll get playing time”. I always wondered why he did not know who would play. Later I learned that in Ireland the manager decides on the line-up on the day of the match, whereas in Switzerland that’s up to the trainer. This sounds like a minor detail, but it gives the discussion of who gets to play and based on which performance standards a completely different dynamic.

Any adventures you would like to tell us about?

At the football club, I met Maya, who is from Slovenia and was also doing an exchange in Ireland. We went on a lot of trips together, for instance to Cork, Dublin or the Cliffs of Moher. We also went hiking a lot.

How has the University of Bern supported you?

Nicole Nyffenegger at the English department was always exceptionally supportive.

What was your most memorable experience? The kids were so sad that my birthday was after my time in Ireland that they gave me an Irish birthday. We celebrated with cupcakes, candles and lots of gifts – it was very lovely. My exchange family was incredibly open and welcoming. They all have a great sense of humour and love sports. They made me part of their family and invited me to all their family events – I think I now have an Irish family.

Text: Caspar Bienek
Image: Elena van Niekerk