Expats´ in Zürich : A qualitative study of expats´ reasons and choices regarding integration, education and social grounds

Abstract: This study examines expats and their families in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. Their reasons and choices regarding integrating (or not) into the Swiss society, educational strategies for their children and possessed capital assets upon arrival in Switzerland is the three problem statements being explored. Pierre Bourdieu’s´ sociology is the theoretical framework for this study – the concept of different types of capital and educational strategies are especially important in this regard. Interviews with female expats whose children attend the Inter-Community School Zürich (ICSZ) were conducted and the stated purpose of the study was obtained. This study concludes that these expat families choose the international grounds rather than the local, due to language barriers. The language makes it hard for both themselves and their children to integrate and/or feel part of the Swiss community and society. The expats are integrated into the international ´expat-bubble´ rather than the Swiss society or community, and the reason is due to the lack of time spent with the local people, not mastering the language and/or not being interested enough to make the effort to integrate. This specific group of expats can be seen as an ´international elite- group´, based on their assets of capital, their cosmopolitan lifestyle and international social grounds.  These expats value their capitals highly but is not stating that one specific capital is more needed than another; all their assets are of worth and they do not consciously use a specific capital for their integration.