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YBI BASEL

 You belong in Basel.  

We started this project as a way to further build the Basel community and to help newcomers settle.  Many people come here having to learn a new language, discover a new culture and find a new purpose.  We want to help with that process and work to strengthen the bond between Swiss and foreign national communities.

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Our Story

The YBI Basel story began in 2018.  Meaghan Renner Ofori and Ariana McBride didn't know each other before moving to Basel, but became fast fiends over a shared sense of adventure and love of exploring.  

 

They faced many challenges in those first few months and realized that other newcomers had common experiences. From small details like having to buy light fixtures for your apartment, to bigger challenges like learning a new language or even finding a new sense of purpose after a personal or career change, they realized the process of settling in can be formidable.  

 

During this time they also began to discover why Basel is such a great place to live! With museums and festivals, lively neighbourhoods, some fantastic restaurants and the perfect location for travel throughout Europe, they felt Basel was the best kept secret in Europe.

 

In an effort to share their love for this city,  help other newcomers settle and further build a community that included both expats and Swiss, they formed YBI Basel.  Since then they have been working hard to reach out to other community organizations, while producing interesting content to highlight the many varied facets of life in this region.

In 2022 Ariana's time in Basel came to an end, but Meaghan is committed to keep the project going, hoping to find some like-minded individuals to help her along the way.

So, whether you've been here for two months, twenty years or your whole life, the hope of YBI Basel is that by showing you how much this city has to offer, by introducing you to some of the people who live here, that can you feel like Basel is your home and that you truly belong. 

You Belong in Basel.

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YBI Community

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Meaghan Renner Ofori

Founder, Creative Director

Home country: Canada eh!
Been here since: 2018
Basel Favourite: Grocery shopping in 3 different countries
Cheese or chocolate: Chocolate!

Meaghan has lived in Basel since 2018 with her husband and two children. After going through the process of settling in and finding a new purpose in Basel, she grew to love this city and all that it had to offer.  She wanted to help others find their home here as well.  A former fundraiser, event planner  

and graphic designer, Meaghan has a passion for sewing and dancing and enjoys cooking, hiking and yoga. 

Top Contributors

These star contributors have contributed four or more times to You Belong in Basel!

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Steve writes fiction and nonfiction. He is very dedicated to giving back to the writing community. He grew up in Queens, New York where he worked in film as a camera assistant, then switched careers to work as a Technical Writer for two decades. He's a book obsessive, loves running, satire, and walking everywhere. He has no sense of direction, and gets lost in most places except for cities which somehow make sense.

Steve writes fiction and nonfiction. He is very dedicated to giving back to the writing community. He grew up in Queens, New York where he worked in film as a camera assistant, then switched careers to work as a Technical Writer for two decades. He's a book obsessive, loves running, satire, and walking everywhere. He has no sense of direction, and gets lost in most places except for cities which somehow make sense.

Steve writes fiction and nonfiction. He is very dedicated to giving back to the writing community. He grew up in Queens, New York where he worked in film as a camera assistant, then switched careers to work as a Technical Writer for two decades. He's a book obsessive, loves running, satire, and walking everywhere. He has no sense of direction, and gets lost in most places except for cities which somehow make sense.

Steve Sanderson

Writer, Neighbourhood Mapper

Home Country: USA

Been here since: 2018

Basel Favourite:  Sense of community, great architecture and Döner Kebabs 

Cheese or Chocolate: What are you kidding? Chocolate, always.

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Alison is a Brit who has been in the Basel area for over a decade. She currently resides in Oberwil, where she enjoys having countryside on her doorstep as well as town being only a short tram ride away. She loves cooking, baking and anything food-related and is a beginner food stylist and photographer. She enjoys being in nature and relaxing doing anything wellness-related, as well as engaging in creative activities such as abstract and fluid art, and crochet. 

Alison Waterfield

Writer

Home Country: UK

Been here since: 2011

Basel Favourite:  Tri-regio location, Nature, Gabriella Gelato

Cheese or Chocolate: Läderach fresh Schoggi everytime!

Alison is a Brit who has been in the Basel area for over a decade. She currently resides in Oberwil, where she enjoys having countryside on her doorstep as well as town being only a short tram ride away. She loves cooking, baking and anything food-related and is a beginner food stylist and photographer. She enjoys being in nature and relaxing doing anything wellness-related, as well as engaging in creative activities such as abstract and fluid art, and crochet. 

Contributors

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Salina Berg

Writer

Home Country: USA

Been here since: 2016

Basel Favourite:  Infinite hiking possibilities

Cheese or Chocolate: Always chocolate

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Johanna Bousfield

Writer

Home Country: USA

Been here since: 2012

Swiss Favourite:  Amazing nature

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese, especially the hard stuff

Stefanie' s background as a German teacher working in both Swiss public and private schools, as well as being a parent that has moved internationally, has given her valuable insights into the Swiss education sector and a passion to help international families settle into their new school life. Her mission is to assist expats in navigating the Swiss school system and empower them to make well-informed choices regarding available educational options.

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Stefanie Busse

Swiss Education Consultant

Home Country: Germany

Been here since: 2011

Basel Favourite:  Hiking and swimming in Switzerland's beautiful lakes!

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate

Website: www.swisseducationconsulting.ch/

The combination of my background as a German teacher working in both Swiss public and private schools and being a parent that has moved internationally has not only given me valuable insights into the Swiss education sector, but also a passion to help international families settle into their new school life. My mission is to assist expats in navigating the Swiss school system and empower them to make well-informed choices regarding available educational options.

Andrea is Personal Health Coach with a passion for supporting startup founders and teams optimise their health for ultimate success. She has a background in International Studies, Masters inInternational Business and is also a yoga teacher and certified integrative nutrition coach.

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Andrea Cristancho

Personal Health Coach

Home Country: Venezuela

Been here since: 2019

Basel Favourite:  Floating down the river 

Cheese or Chocolate: 100% a chocolate gal

Websitewww.andreacristancho.com

Andrea is Personal Health Coach with a passion for supporting startup founders and teams optimise their health for ultimate success. She has a background in International Studies, Masters in International Business and is also a yoga teacher and certified integrative nutrition coach.

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Catalina Escalante

Photographer

Home Country: Columbia/USA

Been here since: 2018

Basel Favourite:  It's so clean and accessible

Cheese or Chocolate: can't decide :)

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Antara is from India and has lived in Basel since 2013.  She is currently studying psychology in the UK.

Antara Das

Writer, Student

Home Country: India

Been here since: 2013

Basel Favourite:  The museums and Rhein river 

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate

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Sabine is an online German language teacher, content creator, editor and podcaster. She holds several examiner licenses for TELC and ÖSD and prepares students for all common German language exams and more. Her podcast focuses on interesting topics for German learners and reaches listeners in over 80 countries worldwide.

Sabine Erker

Writer, Podcaster

Home Country: Austria

Basel Favourite:  Along the Rhein, Unternehmen Mitte

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate

Website: www.schoenesdeutsch.at

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Vanessa arrived in Switzerland in 2003. Straight off the plane from New York City, the city of pizza, burgers, bagels, and dirty water hot dogs, it was a shock to land in the country of milk, cheese, and chocolate! Even though she struggled at first adapting to the food in Switzerland, she can now say her diet (and lifestyle) has shifted for the better. She loves to help people find ‘their food’ that they love in Switzerland, and the food that loves them back.

Vanessa Gatelein

Writer, Health Coach & Yoga Instructor

Home Country: New York City (USA)

Been here since: 2003

Basel Favourite:  Schoggi Wegg with a Schale from Sutter Begg

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheeeeeeese!

Websitewww.foodchangeseverything.me

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Charles is a Brit, based in the Zürich area, but who’s first Swiss experience was of Basel. He loves to travel to Greece (with his Greek wife) and Italy. He speaks 5 languages, loves to read and collects art. 

Charles Glover

Financial Advisor

Home Country: UK

Been here since: 2015

Basel Favourite:  Fresh air, peace and quiet

Cheese or Chocolate: chocolate (not even close)

Website: Imperial Wealth Planning https://www.iwp.ch

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Alain was born and grew up in Basel. He is deeply rooted in the city and its traditions. He has been an active carnival reveller in one of the oldest carnival cliques since childhood and is a member of one of Basel's historic guilds. Even though the centre of his life is very much focused on Basel, he loves cultural trips to other countries to broaden his horizons.

Alain Grimm

Grimm Kultur&Management GmbH

Home Country: Switzerland 

Been here since: Birth

Basel Favourite:  Walking along the Rhywyera (banks of the Rhine in Kleinbasel) in summer

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese

Website: www.grimm-kulturmanagement.ch

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Amruta's day job is that of a Change and Communications Manager and her passion lies in enchanting narratives that are a fusion of captivating photography and exquisite prose. Amruta is also a skilled dancer and loves to share Indian culture with her environment through food, dance, and cultural exchange while imbibing the Swissness that Basel offers.

Amruta Iyer

Writer, Photographer

Home Country: India

Been here since: 2011

Basel Favourite:  'Culture Unlimited' - and it's so central - quick train, drive, or flight into nearly anywhere in Europe.

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate (The darker, the better!!)

Instagram: The Bohemian Storyteller

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Ariana lived in Basel in from 2018- February 2022 with her husband, two daughters and two cats.  While going through the experience of moving to a place where she did not know anyone or anything, Ariana thought a lot about the value of community.  She is a city planner by training, a lover of well-organized closets, and an aspiring gardener.

Ariana McBride

Co-Founder, Writer

Home Country: USA

Time in Basel: 2018-2022

Basel Favourite:  Neatly tied recycling

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese

Megan has been in Switzerland since 2010. After working in the medical device industry for 17 years, she started her own business. She is a wellbeing and personal development coach, but she also helps female solo entrepreneurs build their online businesses with digital tools.  She’s always ready to meet new people.

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Megan McCrory

Personal Development Coach

Home Country: Indiana, USA

Been here since: 2010

Basel Favourite:  Markthalle

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese

Websitemybestself.fit and meganjmccrory.com

Megan has been in Switzerland since 2010. After working in the medical device industry for 17 years, last year, she started her own business. She is a wellbeing and personal development coach, but she also helps female solo entrepreneurs build their online businesses with digital tools. She’s always ready to meet new people.

Asha has lived in Basel-Stadt since 2018 but has previously lived in England, France and the US She loves exploring Switzerland with her husband, two children and dog. Her hobbies include hiking, travelling, spinning and reading.

Asha has lived in Basel-Stadt since 2018 but has previously lived in England, France and the US She loves exploring Switzerland with her husband, two children and dog. Her hobbies include hiking, travelling, spinning and reading.

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Gabriela Peres D'Aquino

Writer

Home Country: Brazil

Been here since: 2019

Basel Favourite:  The Rhine river (and the river banks) in the Summer

Cheese or Chocolate: hard to choose, but I guess chocolate

Gabriela was born and raised in Brazil. She is a graphic designer and has lived in Italy, France and now Basel.  Along the way, she has picked up a few languages (German being the most difficult).  She had a child in 2021, which means her social life very focused on children's activities and hanging out with other families with kids.  

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Kate Michaels (now a Bebbi!) is originally from California and came to Basel with the cast of Lloyd Webber‘s Phantom of the Opera in 1997. She fell in love with Basel and decided to stay in Switzerland and become Swiss. She performs, directs and teaches voice both in Basel, greater Switzerland and the rest of Europe.

Kate Michaels

Singer, Director, Educator

Home Country: USA (California)

Been back since: 1997

Basel Favourite: Sunsets! We have the best sky colours!

Cheese or Chocolate: Smelly soft cheese and dark chocolate- couldn’t choose!

Websitewww.katemichaels.com

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Kripa Samant Parulekar

Architect, Artist

Home Country: India

Been here since: 2019

Basel Favourite: Cycling along the Rhine, swimming, vibrant art, picturesque mountain hikes 

Cheese or Chocolate:  Chocolate indeed

Kripa is from India living in Basel with her husband and daughter. For years, she served in the field of Art, Architecture and Design as a professional architect. Painting has always been her passion; she mostly works with watercolours. She actively participates in Art and Architectural events in Basel. She started artstudio21k for sharing her art, thoughts and connecting with you all. You can view her work @artstudio21k on Instagram.

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Asha has lived in Basel-Stadt since 2018 but has previously lived in England, France and the US She loves exploring Switzerland with her husband, two children and dog. Her hobbies include hiking, travelling, spinning and reading.

Asha Mentzer

Writer, Neighbourhood Mapper

Home Country: UK

Been here since: July 2018

Basel Favourite:  Rhein swimming followed by an Aperol Spritz

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese! especially fondue

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Kasia is from Poland and she’s the founder of mama.on.board. On her Instagram profile you’ll find inspirations for next trips and activities with your family. She’s on a mission to make expats’ life easier so she’s sharing ideas and tips for daily life in Switzerland. She has past experience working at Mars, General Mills and Nestle and she’s a passionate winter sports athlete.

Digital Content Creator

Kasia Narashima

Home Country: Poland

Been here since: 2020

Basel Favourite:  Basler rooftops, skiing slopes nearby

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese

Instagram: mama.on.board

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Christine Pesold

Co-Founder, Basel Life

Home Country: Canada

Been here since: 2002

Basel Favourite:  The abundance of culture packed into this perfect-sized city!

Cheese or Chocolate: Both

Website: www.basellife.com

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Christine moved to Basel with her family in 2002 and has been an active volunteer in the expat community since her arrival in Switzerland. She is responsible for selecting, researching, and writing most of the content of Basel Life.

Heike Reinhart

Heike Reinhart

The GermanTestPerfectionist

Home Country: Germany

Been here since: 2015

Basel Favourite: Enjoying life around the river in summer and winter.

Cheese or Chocolate:  Chocolate 

from Brändli

Websitehttps://internationalgermanteacher.wordpress.com/

Heike is the GermanLanguageSpecialist. She provides German test preparation (Goethe, Telc, Fide, SDS) allowing her clients to quickly and successfully obtain Swiss visas and citizenship. She is the author of two books: The German Grammar Guide (GGG), and The Helping HandBuch (HHH). 
 Heike is based in Basel, Switzerland and is the founder and president of her company.

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Jamie is an American by way of the UK and Hong Kong. She has lived in Basel Land with her husband, two children and two dogs since October 2021. She loves coffee, travelling, being outside and animals. Her hobbies include skiing, obstacle course racing and reading. She is very competitive and always up to try a new outdoor activity.

Jamie Nunn

Writer

Home Country: USA

Been here since: October 2021

Basel Favourite:  Schoggiwegglis from Confiserie Bachmann

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate!!

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Jakob was born in Basel and grew up in Rome, Wimbledon and London. He returned to Switzerland for university and after began an interesting career in international marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. Jakob is now retired and is passionate about showing people Basel. He realizes how lucky he is to be born Swiss and since spending 5 years in Tokyo, he fully appreciates this beautiful, smooth-running, little country even more.

Jakob Mettler

Tour Guide, Historian

Home Country: Switzerland 

Been back since: 1971

Basel Favourite:  The old city – ideal for a tour guide

Cheese or Chocolate: Both (at their respective opportunities)

Website www.jamix.ch

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Peggy Sacotte

Writer, Neighbourhood Mapper

Home Country: France

Been here since: 2022

Basel Favourite: charming, cultural, green, international, riverside, Swiss pocket-size city and top quality of life!

Cheese or Chocolate: Both!

Peggy is a French-Luxembourgish entrepreneur living in Basel with her husband and three kids (if her dog counts as one). As a ski lover and passionate traveler, Switzerland is for her a paradise on Earth. Always eager to learn more and meet new people, she enjoys sharing the greatest insider knowledge about the best places to discover and things to do!

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Melinda is an American who lives in Basel. She loves exploring the Alps with her husband, two children and anyone else who is up for an adventure. She writes, reads, listens to podcasts, hikes and enjoys sweating at her local gym. She’s passionate about sharing her love of nature with others and has a dream of having a little chalet in the Swiss Alps!

Melinda Taylor Schoutens

Author, Fresh Air Kids Switzerland

Home Country: USA

Been here since: 2007

Basel Favourite:  Our proximity to the Alps...pure bliss!

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate...always chocolate!

Website: www.freshairkids.com

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Natasha Scott

Writer

Home Country: Canada

Been here since: 2019

Basel Favourite:  floating down the Rhine on a hot summer day.

Cheese or Chocolate: Cheese.. I can get Swiss chocolate anywhere 

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Tegan is a pharmacist and medical writer. She is passionate about communicating information in a fun and informative way. Exploring the abundant nature near Basel has made her feel more at home since moving here in 2022. You can often find her on a hiking or cycling trail with her family in tow.

Tegan Smedley

Pharmacist, Writer

Home Country: USA

Been here since: 2022

Basel Favourite:  Self-pick flower fields

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate

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Beàta is a certified forest and nature therapy guide, relaxation teacher and mental health first aider. Her programs aim to help individuals find calm amidst their busy lives and her work has evolved based on her own experiences of stressful international business career. She primarily works with individuals and groups looking for relaxation, in the amazing forests and parks in Basel and Basel Land. She also enjoys reading, thriller movies, hiking and a good meal with nice people around.

Beáta Szablics

Well-Being Guide

Home Country: Hungary

Been here since: 2017

Basel Favourite:  Merian Gärten & Rhein

Cheese or Chocolate: both, matched with red wine

Website: www.yournatureanew.com

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Maureen Senn-Carroll

Librarian

Home Country: USA

Been here since: in Europe since 1990, in Switzerland since 1995, in Basel since 1999i

Basel Favourite:  Great public transport and a bicycle friendly city.

Cheese or Chocolate:  Cheese

Maureen was born and raised in McGregor, Iowa, USA. She taught 14 years at primary schools in USA, Germany and Switzerland. In Zürich she co-founded a bilingual primary school, taught at a teachers’ training college and published teaching materials. In Basel she trained as a librarian and has been the head of the JUKIBU library since 2005. She has two adult sons and lives with her
husband in Basel.

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Akanksha Singh

Food Writer

Home Country: India and currently studying in Australia

Basel Favourite:  Cheese and Fishmongers 

Cheese or Chocolate:  Chocolate!

Akanksha Awadhesh Singh was born and brought up in India and is currently pursuing Master of Food Science and Nutrition, at the University of Adelaide in Australia. Currently, she works as a health writer in Health Today in New York, where she mostly writes blogs based on food, health and wellness. She is also a poet and has published a poetry journal entitled Ehsaas. She also maintains a blog page on Medium.com. In her spare time, she loves to read books and listen to some good music. Even though she never lived in Basel, she is highly fascinated by Basel food and culture.

Website:  https://medium.com/@akankshaasingh1998.

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Originally from Istanbul, Haluk has lived and worked in Turkey, Canada and Finland and also studied in Turkey, USA and Finland in engineering and business. He has a genuine interest in travel and culture, which brought him to Basel at the end of 2016, as a trailing spouse. After moving to Switzerland, he has been busy settling his family and supporting his children's schoolwork. He is a volunteer at Centrepoint and has previously volunteered at ISB and SIS. He speaks English, Finnish and Turkish fluently and is learning German (B1) and French (A2).

Haluk Tekbulut

Writer

Home Country: Turkey & Finland

Been here since: 2016

Basel Favourite:  Strolling along the Rhine, Sutter Coffee

Cheese or Chocolate: Chocolate unfortunately. 

Contributors
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Partners

You Belong in Basel is proud to partner with the following organizations.

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Inspiring families to connect with nature one outdoor experience at a time.

 

Fresh Air Kids Switzerland is on a BIG mission to start an outdoor revolution that connects as many families as possible to the natural world. By breaking down the barriers of spending quality time outside, we hope to inspire, motivate and encourage more outdoor adventure in the lives of families across the globe. www.freshairkids.com

While relocating to another country can be one of the most rewarding, enriching, and exciting experiences you can have, the language barrier and cultural differences can also, at times, make it a somewhat challenging and even isolating time. As expats themselves, the creators of Basel Life have made it their mission to help the English-speaking community of Basel make the most of their stay in this

beautiful, vibrant, and culturally rich city on the Rhein. www.basellife.com

Centrepoint is a well-established, English-speaking community, located in the heart of Basel, where all nationalities are welcome. It aims to be a friendly, evolving community providing an inclusive, multi-cultural and safe environment, where members have a sense of belonging both to Centrepoint and the Basel region through participating in a diverse range of activities and social events. www.centrepoint.ch

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The Basel Children's Trust, where families find their friends in Basel.

 

Basel Children’s Trust (BCT) is a volunteer-run organization that provides community and information to expectant parents and families in the Basel area.

www.baselchildrenstrust.ch

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