Roland Grab was born in 1955 in Horgen, Zurich, and has lived in Zug since 1957. Professionally, he worked as an engineer specialising in renewable energy, as a member of the executive board, and on the board of directors. He also lectured at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Lucerne and was a member of the energy commission of the city of Zug. Today, he lives in Colombia, in the department of Santander, in Puente Nacional. Roland Grab is married and has two children.
I took early retirement at the age of 62. It was always my wish to spend my retirement in a warm climate. Initially, I explored options in Asia but decided against them for cultural and linguistic reasons. I tested different climate zones and found the temperatures in Santander (my current place of residence) to be very pleasant. Daytime temperatures of 25–30°C and nighttime temperatures of 15–20°C are ideal for me.
At the airport in Zurich
I therefore decided to settle in Latin America and learned Spanish in Havana, Cuba. My original plan was to live in Latin America for six months of the year and in Switzerland for the other six. Back then, I wanted to spend a month skiing in Zermatt in March and enjoy the Swiss summer. After travelling through Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, I met my wife in Colombia.
In December 2020, I purchased land in a gated community, and the construction contract was signed in February 2021. The building of my house began in March of that same year and was completed in October 2021. I greatly appreciate the joy of life and warmth of the people in Colombia. I do not really miss Switzerland, though my wife and I travel back once a year for a month to visit family and friends. Additionally, we spend one month on the coast and another month travelling to different Latin American countries.
Travelling the Amazon
The rest of our time is spent doing sports and going on excursions. We employ staff such as a cleaner, a cook, a pool maintenance worker, and a gardener. It is very important to me to treat them as equals and with respect. Fair wages, including a 13th-month salary, and proper insurance coverage for employees are essential to me. This is both a responsibility and a source of satisfaction.
Before emigrating, I primarily thought about how my family and friends would feel about my decision. Those who remain behind feel sad, while I, as an emigrant, gain new experiences and build a new life. I also questioned whether I could truly leave behind all that I had built and achieved in Switzerland. A healthy level of self-interest is certainly helpful when emigrating, as one must part with many things and bid farewell to loved ones for extended periods. It is also important to be sociable, open to new languages and cultures, and prepared to make compromises—especially regarding infrastructure—compared to the high standard of living in Switzerland.
Participating in life in Colombia
In my view, one should avoid flaunting a “better life” in the new country and instead remain humble and unpretentious. I also believe it is important to act as an ambassador for the new country in Switzerland, as there are often misconceptions and prejudices about certain places. Being open to new experiences, building something in the new location, and investing time and resources are crucial. One must also recognise that Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world, and people in the new home country almost always have fewer resources.
For women, I find it particularly important that they are prepared to free themselves from potential financial dependence on a partner and have the courage to carve their own path.
I support the local people and engage in cultural, social, and sports activities. This made my integration relatively easy. I was, and still am, willing to adapt to different perceptions of time and quality in my new country. So far, my dreams have come true perfectly.