Colleen Smith, OP Contributor

often wonder why people would move from their native country when it appears so idyllic. What qualities do they perceive in another cul- ture that are compelling enough to entice them away? For Beate Gudmundson, it was a desire for a life full of ideas and

openness that prompted her to leave her placid life in Thun, Switzerland for Canada.

Gudmundson now resides in the urban environment of New Westminster. She is a middle-aged, fit, and noticeably tranquil person. She lives with her hus- band and their two school-aged children. New Westminster is a medium-sized city neighbouring the Fraser River, with an economically diverse and culturally dis- tinct population. Gudmundson’s children attend a community school where the stu- dent population’s native tongue is comprised of 47 languages.

When describing what she prefers about Canada, Gudmundson explains, “There is more tolerance here in how people live. People just talk to each other here and I like that—that easygoing part.” This is in contrast to the Swiss customs she left behind.

Gudmundson grew up as the second youngest in a family of five children. Her parents ran the family mechanical shop,

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- Transcending Cultures

and so her grandparents lived in the home, as well, helping raise Gudmundson and her siblings. Their house was not directly in Thune, but rather with “a small bunch of houses about one kilometre from the town.” Gudmundson recalls, “As children we had a lot of freedom. We lived close to the forest. We had chickens and rabbits—it was like a dream life—we lived so close to nature. We’d go out to the woods and play there for days, climb trees, and discover caves.”

Although there were rules to ensure safety in the forest, an atmosphere of control and protection from within their culture reassured parents of their chil- dren’s wellbeing. This was partially because any person intending to live in a town or city had to register and present their citizen documents. This accountabil- ity pervaded social customs as well, including a protocol for addressing people and needing their permission to respond less formally. People also didn’t work on Sundays, and the police might be called if you left your garbage out on the wrong day. “It is quite formal. There are these different levels in the language—more complex than French—and only if some- one speaks to you with the less-formal tense are you allowed to respond in kind. It is also different for women speaking to

”

men.

Gudmundson’s resolve to leave the contained world of her childhood related to her desire for personal development. “Although my family is tight knit and very close,’ she says, “there were certain dynamics that made me feel like I couldn’t be quite who I would like to be. At times we were so close we maybe inhibited each other’s growth. I know this is always something within my own power, but it is hard when there are certain dynamics around you.”

Gudmundson traveled to Canada before moving here permanently. This is where she met and fell in love with her husband. Before making the decision to stay, however, Gudmundson returned to Switzerland alone to look at Canada from a distance—from home. “I always felt good in Canada; I felt freer. When I left Switzerland, I would miss my family, but when I left Canada, I missed something else.”

When Gudmundson finally returned to Canada, she came to a realization. “It was clear to me that life was much rougher here. The nature was wilder and so were the circumstances people live under. The feeling of being watched over and taken care of was gone.” Along with

. this shift, however, came liberation and

the lack of pressure to conform. “I could work on what was in my own mind—my ego.”

Gudmundson studied naturopathic medicine at a community college to aug- ment her nursing skills and to achieve her goal to treat the whole patient. She now works from her home, operating a mas- sage practice and treating her clients with Bach flower remedies and essential oils. The atmosphere is unassuming; the art on display depicts the natural world and an aura reminiscent of her childhood in Switzerland. Here, Gudmundson offers her clients a sanctuary. Her clients, like her, are mostly women struggling to bal- ance motherhood and work. She is also immersed in her children’s school in sev- eral volunteer roles. She admits that these responsibilities are sometimes too con- suming, but acknowledges their usefulness in revealing societal norms.

“The connections I get out in the community have made such a difference to me. I enjoy the different aspects my involvement brings into my life—other families, interactions, ideas, and different ways of doing things. And it may sound funny, but the sky is much more open here—there is more space somehow.”

July 13/2005