The dreiland a plus for everyone? by ADDAD Narjice HERZOG Camille

« Oui » ! « Ja » ! Every young, French, Swiss, German agree on the fact that the border has many advantages. Although when we ask them, points of view are sometimes very different.

The Dreiland is the region which gather three border together (Germany, Swiss and France). The best to know the young’s mind about it, it’s to go on site and question them. That’s what we did, last saturday.

We, the young of Saint Louis High school we love Basel city. The border is really for us a big advantage. Most of us cross the border at least once a week. Basel was elected as the best city of the sector. We consider all this city as « attractive », « lively » and « great » adds Massimo. For shopping no hesitation, « Basel is the best ». Apart from bilingual, unfortunately no more between us know speak good german. It’s too handicapping for us because we go regularly in Basel or in Germany. To know how to speak commonly the language of our neighbour, we allow us to have a better communication.

Now, Come on the other side of the border to see swiss’s opinions. Florian says : « the border we see it less and less, it’s not really an obstacle », « France has an influence on Switzerland, because we share a language, a border ». Swiss youngs are less attracted by Saint Louis’ region than we are by the Basel’s region. When we question them if they go often in Saint Louis or Mulhouse, we realize that many of them aren’t yet « never » go there, or « not very often ». Marion, student at Basel, isn’t scared to say what she thinks about Saint Louis and Mulhouse : « boring city », « there are not many things to do » saysSandro. The Swiss doesn’t know our culture. It’s probably for this, their first mind on the french are very stereotyped : « french people are arrogant », « they are good cook » , « they are nice and lovely ».

Shopping for the swiss is either in Basel or in Zürich. Some of them have family on the other side of the border but not many of them have relationships with French or German.

We find that it’s a shame that between regions close to each other, there is so little communication. The swiss agree with us but they do nothing to remedy. Cultures are “too different” François tells us.

For them, only social networks can improve dreiland relations. Relations between us, the young people will they stay virtual? To us to prove the opposite!

ADDAD Narjice

HERZOG Camille