My naturalisation interview in Lausanne: a first-hand account

The fifteen minutes before the interview

Sitting near Place de la Palud, I reviewed the cards I had prepared for more than a month. The stakes made the moment intimidating: I needed to discuss my background and motivation while answering questions on Swiss history, geography, culture and politics.

A short interview with precise questions

The interview lasted roughly fifteen to twenty minutes. It began with my life and future in Switzerland, then moved to detailed factual questions. There was no time to cover the whole programme, but a superficial review would not have been enough.

Every applicant can receive different questions. The strongest preparation is therefore not one memorised list, but an understanding of the institutions and the ability to explain answers in your own words.

What stayed with me

Thorough preparation turned anxiety into confidence. Beyond the test, learning how the country works strengthened the sense of belonging behind my application.

One year later, on 18 June 2014, I took the oath before a delegation of the Council of State. That experience inspired the Swiss Naturalisation quiz.