Thomas Stephens

Journalist

I write articles on the Swiss Abroad and “Swiss Oddities” as well as weekly briefings and press reviews. I also translate, edit and sub-edit articles for the English department and do voiceover work for videos. Born in London, I have a degree in German/Linguistics and was a journalist at The Independent before moving to Bern in 2005. I speak all three official Swiss languages and enjoy travelling the country and practising them, above all in pubs, restaurants and gelaterias.

English Department

A bridge over troubled political waters, Trump Accounts, and the Fauci hearings

This content was published on Aug 5, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 1, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

Young savers, waning agricultural power, and the return of measles

This content was published on Jul 29, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Politics

Switzerland’s 21 living ex-presidents: a world record

This content was published on Jul 28, 2026 Twenty-one former Swiss presidents are still alive. What does this record say about the country’s political stability and leadership?

Swiss oddities

Play it again, Sämu: decoding Bernese nicknames

This content was published on Jul 25, 2026 The Bernese are particularly creative when it comes to tweaking and shortening forenames.

Trump’s hijacking of America at 250, debt danger, and ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

This content was published on Jul 1, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 27, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

Iran deal reaction, Alan Greenspan, and a murky reflecting pool

This content was published on Jun 24, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 20, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

World Cup anticipation, useless rules, and Meta’s ‘dystopian plans’

This content was published on Jun 10, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

Week in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 6, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Putsch: the most revolutionary Swiss-German word in the world

This content was published on Jun 6, 2026 Buckle up for a fascinating – and often violent – etymological journey.

Exploding tempers, tariffs and rockets

This content was published on Jun 3, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on May 30, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

Democrat disarray, mega-IPOs, and the pope takes a pop at Silicon Valley

This content was published on May 27, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on May 23, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

Trump’s trip to China, USAID cutbacks – and is going to the World Cup a good idea?

This content was published on May 20, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Feeling blue: falling confidence, rising inflation, and a ‘face theft’ lawsuit

This content was published on May 13, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Swiss Diaspora

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on May 9, 2026 Welcome to our selection of some of the biggest – and most colourful – stories in Switzerland over the past seven days.

Read more: The week in Switzerland

Midterm storm clouds, praise for Jerome Powell, and a mysterious golden blob

This content was published on May 6, 2026 A round-up of US-related news as reported by the Swiss media.

Debates

Would you give e-skis a go?

Battery-powered skis are divisive. Some people think they don’t belong on mountains, others welcome the gentle boost they provide. What do you think?

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Mar 7, 2026

1 Likes

5 Comments

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Have you got a nickname? How did you get it? Do you like it?

The Bernese are particularly creative when it comes to tweaking and shortening forenames.

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Dec 13, 2025

6 Comments

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Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?

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Jun 13, 2025

23 Likes

18 Comments

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Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?

Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?

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Mar 22, 2025

22 Likes

29 Comments

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‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. Blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?

Canny tourist operators have realised that many people will pay a premium to remove kids from their holidays. What does this say about society?

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Jul 17, 2024

126 Likes

57 Comments

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Thomas Stephens

More

A bridge over troubled political waters, Trump Accounts, and the Fauci hearings

More

The week in Switzerland

More

Young savers, waning agricultural power, and the return of measles

More

Switzerland’s 21 living ex-presidents: a world record

More

Play it again, Sämu: decoding Bernese nicknames

More

Trump’s hijacking of America at 250, debt danger, and ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

More

The week in Switzerland

More

Iran deal reaction, Alan Greenspan, and a murky reflecting pool

More

The week in Switzerland

More

World Cup anticipation, useless rules, and Meta’s ‘dystopian plans’

More

Week in Switzerland

More

Putsch: the most revolutionary Swiss-German word in the world

More

Exploding tempers, tariffs and rockets

More

The week in Switzerland

More

Democrat disarray, mega-IPOs, and the pope takes a pop at Silicon Valley

More

The week in Switzerland

More

Trump’s trip to China, USAID cutbacks – and is going to the World Cup a good idea?

More

Feeling blue: falling confidence, rising inflation, and a ‘face theft’ lawsuit

More

The week in Switzerland

More

Midterm storm clouds, praise for Jerome Powell, and a mysterious golden blob

Debates

More

Would you give e-skis a go?

More

Have you got a nickname? How did you get it? Do you like it?

More

Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?

More

Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?

More

‘No kids’ holidays are booming in Switzerland. Blatant discrimination or a stroke of genius?

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