After living in several countries, Anna and her family finally decided to settle in Geneva! It's been an interesting, eventful and not always easy journey, and one we were keen to share with you. We met in their magnificent Eaux-Vives apartment, decorated in a minimalist-chic style with a very "hygge" feel. We chatted and discovered the many anecdotes and adventures of this expat family.

Anna, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I'm 38 years old. I'm Danish. I grew up in Aarhus before moving to Copenhagen to study international business. During those 5 years, I traveled a lot in Asia. I met my French husband in Bangkok, in a nightclub (smile). I returned to Denmark to finish my Masters before joining him in New York, where he was living for work. I was extremely lucky to be selected at random and obtain the precious green card. I worked as a business development consultant for Danish companies. After 4 years and 25 weeks pregnant, we decided to radically change our lives and move to Verbier in Switzerland, but the arrival didn't go exactly to plan.

What happened?
I started having contractions around the 24th week, so we decided to bring forward our departure for Switzerland. A few days after my arrival, I went for a check-up at Les Grangettes, where they kept me for a week, fearing that I would give birth prematurely. As the situation became critical, they transferred me to the CHUV, where I also stayed for a week. Once I was stable, I was able to go back up to Verbier, but two days later I felt something was wrong and the ambulance came to take me back to hospital. Two days later, Edgard was there, born at 30 weeks. We were in hospital for two months before we could (finally) go home. It was during those many weeks that my French improved considerably (smile). At the same time, I had no choice but to communicate with the doctors and nurses. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their professionalism, attentiveness and availability.

Wasn't moving from NY to Verbier too radical a change?
There's a world of difference between NY and Verbier. So vast, in fact, that no comparison is possible (smile). For us who wanted peace and quiet and nature, Switzerland was the perfect place. We've never regretted our choice. When Edgar was 4 and Balthazar 1 ½, we decided to move back to the city and chose Geneva.

Don't you get homesick sometimes?
Not really, because I've always been used to living abroad.

What was the biggest challenge in adapting to life in Geneva?
I was surprised that it was so easy. I don't know if it's because we were in Verbier before, but it all happened quite quickly. The hardest part was finding two places in a crèche. As I didn't live in Geneva when I was pregnant, I wasn't on any list. So, for Balthazar, I stayed at home to look after him. For Edgar, I was miraculously lucky enough to find a place in a kindergarten not far from our home.

Do you find it generally easy to integrate in Geneva? How did you meet new people?
I don't think it's any harder to integrate in Geneva than elsewhere. You have to be aware that the effort has to come from the person moving in, not the other way around. I met one of my best friends in a café. I heard her speak Danish, saw that she had children around the same age and went over to talk to her.

As a young mother, what's better and what's worse than in Denmark?
The healthcare system works very well here, much better than in Denmark. For example, you can stay up to 5 days in the maternity ward before having a midwife at home, whereas there, after a few hours (especially if it's the 2nd) you go home. There's more overall support for the pregnancy. For Edgar, who was born prematurely, we were very well taken care of and listened to.

In Denmark, attitudes to education are perhaps more open. Children are free to experiment on their own, have fun and develop without necessarily having an adult behind them. In Nordic countries, parents and schools generally put less pressure on children. They are not overloaded with extra-curricular activities, as is often the case here. In Denmark, children are always outside, and it's not uncommon to see a baby napping outside, all bundled up. I'm convinced it's good for their health and development.

What do you like to do with your children in Geneva?
In winter we go skiing. Okay, it's not in Geneva, but it goes with Geneva life. Otherwise, lots of bike rides along the lake with the boys and Houdini, our dog. There are lots of great things to do with the kids, like visiting the Museum or the Maison de la Créativité.

What do you think is missing here for young expat parents?
Simplified access to childcare, but that goes for all parents living in Geneva, expats or not. But it's true that when you first arrive, you don't know where to look for information, where to register, how to find a nanny. Personally, it was while wandering around the neighborhood that I stumbled across a kindergarten. But the hardest part is not being able to count on the help and support of your family.

Looking back, what advice would you give to a new mom arriving in Geneva?
There are several networks in Geneva that support and enable you to make connections, such as MotherStories and Genuine Women. You shouldn't be shy, because if you take the first step, doors almost always open.

You created Petit Marché, an app for second-hand sales of childcare items and children's clothes. Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
The idea came to me in Verbier, but it was in Geneva that I said to myself, go ahead, I'll give it a 100% try. As a young parent, I realized how many items and garments we buy and end up using very little. This is especially true when it's your first child. I like the idea of buying second-hand if the products are of high quality and the process easy. My own experience as a consumer and that of those around me gave me the trigger, and that's how Petit Marché was born.

What kind of mother are you? What's your parenting style?
I'm somewhere between 2 cultures: Danish for the laissez-faire side and French for the stricter side. After that, I try to find a happy medium. After that, whatever you do, you'll have different opinions. For example, I breastfed both my children for 6 months. For Danish moms, that wasn't enough. On the other hand, for French moms it was almost too much (smile). I try to give them as much independence and freedom as possible, but with very clear rules. I try not to be behind them all the time, to let them explore. I'm not a worrier by nature. If they have to fall, they'll fall and get up again.

What values would you like to pass on to them?
I'd like them to be determined and positive. "Believe in the good" in general.

A woman you admire?
My mom, because she had 4 children and worked all her life. My father died at 60 and she had to learn to live on her own. Since then, she's been traveling and getting involved in numerous projects. She's managed to get her life back on track, even if it wasn't easy. I admire her a lot.

Your favourite places in Geneva for :

• A Sunday with the family: Stroll by the lake
• A romantic dinner: Chez Gouzer
• Cocktails with friends: Maison Balki

Anna, what can we wish you today for tomorrow?
Despite the challenges of everyday life, I'm fully grateful for the life I have. I love it and keep my fingers crossed that nothing changes.