Some may think that children who migrate to another country have a tough time settling and yearn for a similar culture as the one they left behind in their home country. On the contrary, it is really left to the family to establish a melange of the new and old culture, with fundamental pillars in place, which may help those children thrive in their unfamiliar environment.
After living in Switzerland for nine years, the Corbin twins – Shequan and Shequaine – have learnt about various cultures given that Geneva is a cultural melting pot and home to several international organisations and residents. They hope to return to Guyana to make an impact among their peers, seeing opportunities in language and sports for starters. Now at the age of sixteen, the two have taken the time to reflect on their migration and how they adjusted to life in Europe. They have adopted the European love of football [soccer to others] and are on the dual track of academics and sports. Double Parcours!
Shequan and Shequaine now attend Institut Florimont in Geneva, following a bi-lingual International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme in French and English. This high school diploma will set the stage for their university pursuits alongside their dream of becoming professional footballers. They are also members of one of Geneva’s largest football clubs, CS Italien, which has a membership of over 600 players and 22 teams, playing at the semi-elite level across Swiss Romandie – the French-speaking cantons or states of Switzerland.
Settling in…
They have different stories about how they adjusted to Switzerland. Even though they were just seven years old, they were very aware of the sudden change in culture and were optimistic about what was to come.
Shequaine was excited to move since he had never travelled outside Guyana. His twin brother Shequan on the other hand was a bit more emotional about moving since he would have to leave his cousins and friends behind.
They now reflect that they were too young to fully absorb the culture shock. For them, they just saw people going about their lives as anyone would in any country but did notice the fact that the Swiss culture is one of quiet, respect for community and very discrete compared with Guyana’s Caribbean-like culture, which they described as ‘louder’ in volume (speech, music) and much more expressive.
School…
Arriving in the month of August and getting used to trams as public transport, larger malls, and the usual summer activities near Lake Geneva, it was time for them to prepare for school. As happy as they were to make friends at their new school, the first few days were a challenge.
Shequaine: “My parents told me that in the first week of school, I cried a lot when I came back home because I didn’t know the language (French) and was frustrated that the children on the playground wouldn’t let me play football. My mother in particular was very concerned, but my father said he was calm about it. Everything takes time. When I was younger, I really liked to play, especially football.”
Shequan: “For me, it was more trying to fit in because when we arrived at the school, everything was larger (classrooms, school parks) and everyone was speaking a different language. We had children from Switzerland as well as Albania, Italy, Spain, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, and other nationalities in an Accueil Class (Welcome Class) which transitions children from their native language to French. I didn’t really understand a lot in the first days so I tried to cope by looking at their tones or facial expressions and that helped me through. My parents reminded me that I topped the class in the cantonal exam in grade two despite not fully understanding the language.”
It is interesting to note that the population of Guyana could fit into Geneva. The city is home to 800,00 persons of over 100 nationalities. They operate in a typical francophone school system where children from nursery to grade four do not attend school on Wednesdays. This day is dedicated to developing students’ interest in sports, and the creative and performing arts. Attendance is based on the child’s preference from a menu of courses published by the state annually.
Sports: Football
Given the passion for football in Europe, the twins could not escape although they were initially exposed to other sports. They enrolled in gymnastics, swimming, skiing, sword fencing and basketball. They have also been part of chess, photography and choral club. As they grew, they discovered a love for football that led to a family-like club, FC Aire du Lignon. Shequaine gravitated to offensive positions while Shequan maintained his defensive preference from his days in basketball. Shequan and Shequaine now play semi-elite football at FC CS Italien with training sessions three times a week and competition every weekend. Beyond strict training, you must be careful of your diet, note your performance metrics after each match and sign club agreements which regulate the transfer of players from clubs in respect of FIFA rules. The boys are also urged to avoid sports like skiing that risk injury to their legs.
For them, they have grown to love sports since the culture where they live gives value to participating and teamwork, and not just about winning.
Shequaine Corbin, at the age of 10, was integrated into an elite programme designed for the top 200 child footballers in Geneva and was reintegrated once more at age 14. His brother Shequan did not start football at the same age as he was first interested in basketball. It did not stick hence he tried football and found his place in the sport as a defender where he is thriving.
Switzerland is currently ranked 14th on the FIFA rankings hence the boys are hopeful of a chance to play in the Swiss league, while their language skills would make the English (UK), French or German leagues equally attractive, offering a world of opportunities for two boys from the shores of Guyana. They have also played friendlies and regional competitions in Italy, Spain and Germany, experiencing the journey that professionals follow.
What are your goals?
Even though these boys are a set of twins, they are not identical and similarly, their goals are not. They both intend to rely on a sports career but alongside academic studies in different areas of speciality. They are currently studying Maths, Cambridge English, Literature, History, Economics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, French, German, Arts, Music and Physical Education with two years to go before they enter university. A balanced life in sports and academics usually creates more opportunities, especially since professional sports persons retire in their mid-thirties to pursue other interests. As such, we were curious to hear their take.
Shequan: “We would like to be able to use all the gifts that God gave us, so for me, it would be studies in business management with a speciality in Digital Marketing or Data Science.”
Shequaine: “An option that I’m firm about is being an entrepreneur in the area of luxury goods such as designing watches…I will probably merge designing watches with digital photos called NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) so I plan to study Digital Business Management for my degree program.”
When asked about how they can contribute back home, they simply hope to share their experiences in sports, and the language and transfer the positive things they observed about Swiss culture through seasonal camps to give back. The FAOGW Sunday School also targets diaspora teens, hence they are already sharing.
Passion for God
These two young men could not contain their passion for God. They poured their hearts out explaining the reason for this is that they have seen God do great things for them and their family. As they reflected on how their move to Switzerland came about, they recognised that God is the One who orchestrated everything. God used Bishop Dr M. Raphael Massiah, the shepherd of their local church, to prophesy over the family about what was to come. This was followed by their mother receiving a job offer and the relocation journey began.
The foundation of their faith has been set by God-fearing parents. Just before they left for Switzerland they were baptised and arriving in Switzerland, they immediately joined Sunday school and participated in a concert in the Swiss capital of Bern. God remains the centre of their everyday life and it is what keeps them grounded. Shequaine recalls a period of being disappointed with his performance on the pitch after his first selection for elite football. He credits his faith in allowing him to bounce back and would encourage every youth to do the same. “Talk to God so that He can help you through your struggles and stop trying to fight your battles alone” is the encouragement from Shequaine.
Shequan admitted to not being heavily integrated into a specific ministry from his point of view, but he serves as a translator from English to French in Sunday school at the Swiss church where they fellowship. They hope to follow in the footsteps of their parents, adapting the same work ethics and energy as they serve in ministry. They already love God with a passion.
He also wants younger people to be mindful of taking small gestures or the Word of God for granted. Whether that be a word of advice from your parents, teacher or Sunday school messages, it can change your behaviour in positive ways and allow people to identify you as a Kingdom citizen. “When people observe you doing positive things, it will let them know how the people in the kingdom of God operate and it will attract them even more to God’s Word,” said Shequan.
God is a game changer and a protector of purpose. We wish the Corbin twins well as they chart their dual track in sports and academics! Double Parcours!
