Three Brothers, A New Life

Simon ('29), Eliott ('28), Marius ('32)

Eliott, Simon, and Marius left Switzerland five months ago to settle in Houston. Between apprehensions and discoveries, these three brothers from our French Immersion Program share how they found the courage to start completely over.

During a ski vacation, their parents announced the news: the family might be moving to the United States. For Marius, the youngest in 6ème, his first reaction was clear: "I was a little upset because it meant leaving all my friends behind." Eliott, in Seconde, saw it coming a bit. "They gave us time to think about whether we'd accept or not. We brothers followed the discussions a bit, so we kind of expected it." As for Simon, in 3ème, he was "very happy"—after five years in Switzerland, where "it was always gray and dreary," the idea of Houston appealed to him.

But between the announcement and the arrival, there was a whole process of adaptation. Each of the three brothers experienced this change differently, with their own challenges.

The Youngest Faces the Big Leap

For Marius, 10 years old, everything seemed bigger, more impressive. "First of all, it's the size of the airport. I thought it was different. Everything is bigger, hotter, more imposing." Houston's immensity, the energy flowing through the city—everything contrasted with Switzerland's calm. "In Switzerland, it was too calm, too quiet, whereas here it vibrates more."

The beginning wasn't easy. "At first, I had a bit of trouble adapting. We weren't in our house, so that added to it." But Awty's warm welcome made the difference. "I was really welcomed here," he says with a smile. Mrs. Ireland, the Proviseure, and his new friend Charlie, with his jokes, "refreshed the atmosphere," particularly helped him.

Today, youngest brother Marius acknowledges that of his three brothers, "it was hardest for me to leave Switzerland. But now, I feel much more comfortable. I've gotten used to it."

The Middle Brother Paves the Way

Simon, in 3ème, was the one who saw the most opportunities in this move. Having already been an expat in Canada, he knew about the French "small communities" and found that "very nice." After five years, he "was starting to get a bit tired of Switzerland."

His integration was facilitated by Houston Accueil, where his mother made a friend. "We met several people, one at a time. It's always easier to meet new people individually than as a whole group at once." On the first day of school, he already had "a whole group of acquaintances."

Sports played a crucial role. "Cross-country, training every morning at 5 a.m. I had 2-3 friends who did it with me, and it was really great. In the United States, sports are pretty important for schools, so I'm taking advantage of it."

For Simon, progress in English also comes through participation. "At first, I was quite passive in my classes, like Current Events. I'd start to speak, and while speaking, I couldn't always find my words. But now it's much more fluid."

The Eldest Between Two Worlds

For Eliott, in Seconde, the challenge was distinct. "In Switzerland, it was my first year at the school I was at. I really liked it there. So leaving that school was kind of bittersweet."

Eliott identifies that for his little brother Marius, "it was more difficult because he takes a bit more time to make new friends. And since he doesn't have a phone yet, he was afraid of losing contact with his friends in Switzerland." The family reassured him about ways to stay in touch, "and now he's adapted well."

Ice hockey was a turning point for Eliott. "In Switzerland, I was in a recreational club, without competition. But arriving in Houston, since hockey isn't common, the people in the club are more passionate, there's more competition, so it's much better." Cross-country at Awty also allowed him to make "a really good friend who's also in my class."

Although shy, Eliott was struck by the welcome: "At Awty, it went really well, I was really welcomed. I think it's in American culture to go talk to people. From the first day, people come talk to you, say 'do you want to sit with us?'"

His English improves daily. "Hearing it spoken every day in conversations helps a lot. At first, it didn't come naturally, but being immersed helps a lot."

Everyday Courage

What's striking in these three brothers' story is that courage doesn't manifest in a single heroic act, but in a succession of small daily steps: daring to speak to someone in a language you don't yet master perfectly, accepting not understanding everything at first, signing up for a sport to meet people, and asking for directions on a large campus.

Their friends who stayed in Switzerland are curious about the brothers’ move. "There's always a bit of fascination with the United States from Europe," Eliott notes. "Things that have become my daily life but for them remain improbable, like taking the highway to go to school."

Four months after their arrival, the three brothers have found their footing. Their advice for future newcomers? Simon recommends "following another student" to find your way.

And if Simon had to sum up his experience in two words? "Excellent and friendly. We have the warmth, the sun, it's beautiful, everyone's in shorts, there's lots of grass on campus, it's really nice."

Courage, ultimately, is accepting to leave behind what's comfortable to embrace the unknown. It's believing that even if everything seems different and intimidating at first, you can rebuild a life, make new friends, and find your place. Eliott, Simon, and Marius did it. And their story shows the strength of the Awty community in welcoming, including, and extending a hand to those who have the courage to start completely over.

January 2026 Articles