Swiss Review 2/2021

Swiss Review / April 2021 / No.2 Voluntary OASI made easier If you live abroad and make voluntary old-age and survivors’ insurance (OASI) payments, you now have more time to submit documents. Good news for all Swiss Abroadwhomake voluntary OASI payments. An updated version of the Federal Ordinance on Vol- untary Old-Age, Survivors and Invalidity Insurance (VOASIO) came into force on 1 January 2021. Its new terms include an ex- tension to the deadline for submitting documents. The documents required for determining contributions can now be submitted until 31 March. Previously, the deadline was 31 January. This deadline extension takes account of specific circumstances abroad. Consider- able distances, difficulties in procuring documents, and limited, slow postal de- liveries – these are some of the factors that caused the deadline to be changed. The deadline for submitting tax statements has also been extended as a consequence – to 31 August. Voluntary OASI now also possible in the UK Brexit – the United Kingdom leaving the European Union – also has implications regarding pension provision for Swiss Abroad. Anyonewho emigrates fromSwit- zerland to the UK can now join the volun- tary OASI scheme as well. The conditions for joining are the same as those that ap- ply to other non-EU countries. There are no changes for people who were already living in the UK before 1 January 2021. STEFANIE MATHIS-ZERFASS 26 more difficult than I thought. However, a small job in the hospitality industry helped me to get to know the local way of life and to make new friends. Was the “ small job ” alongside your studies enough to cover the high Swiss cost of living? I have always worked alongsidemy studies, in hospitality and now at a design agency in Zurich. However, the intensive studies do not allow me to work enough to be fi- nancially independent. I have been fortu- nate to receive a scholarship frommy home canton of Zurich, whichmakesmy life a lot easier. I also benefit from a reduced health insurance premium. Switzerland is expen- sive, but it also has quite a fair social sup- port system. How is the Corona pandemic affecting your studies? I studied online for most of last year and it will probably stay that way for my last se- mester. Studying online works relatively well, but it has significantly changed my university experience. There are both ad- INTERVIEW: RUTH VON GUNTEN, EDUCAT IONSUISSE Angela Meraviglia you are Swiss and grew up in Australia. Why did you decide to study in Switzer- land? In Australia, I completed my training as a florist but I always knew I wanted to study. I just never found the right subject. During a holiday stay in Switzerland, I discovered the study programme in Design Manage- ment at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Initally, it was just an ex- citing idea that I had and not a firm plan. However, I applied. Thanks to my applica- tion dossier including my work, my high school diploma and my professional expe- rience, I was accepted. Onlywhen I received the official confirmation did I realise that my life would change completely within a fewmonths. Tell us more specifically about your Design Management degree programme at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The degree programme is entirely in Eng- lish. I am now in my third and final Bache- lor’s year. I particularly love the breadth of the field of study. It is not just about creat- ing physical things or designing them, but it is always about the whole mind-set. That helps to understand complex problems, to communicate with people and to create solutions that are better for people and our environment. What language do you speak when you are not in class? And how have you settled in in Switzer- land? I speak a mixture of English and Swiss Ger- man with my university friends and Swiss German, which I learned at home, withmy relatives. Now I also want to attend a Ger- man course at university. Building up a good group of friends in Switzerland was “Be open to new experiences and ideas” Swiss Abroad Angela Meraviglia on the opportunities and challenges of studying in Switzerland. Angela Meraviglia grew up in Australia, but is now studying in Switzerland. Photo donated