‘Wonderland’ Peru: Migration and the Making of an Andean Switzerland

Abstract

“In contrast to emigrants who, out of necessity, leave their country for an uncertain future, the Swiss living abroad are established in their domicile and contribute to the cultural and economic presence and charisma of their homeland.”

This quotation is from a media release for the book Die Auslandschweizer im 20. Jahrhundert (‘Swiss Living Abroad in the 20th Century’) published by the Swiss Federal Archives in 2002. It suggests that Swiss migrants fit in seamlessly wherever they go and rarely encounter trouble in the process of migration. It also proposes that ‘Swiss abroad’ not only contribute to their new host country but continue to be beneficial to their home country as well.