Public Diplomacy — Swissnex in San Francisco

Looking back on my year at Swissnex San Francisco, I gained invaluable firsthand experience in public diplomacy that has shaped my professional path.

As Switzerland's outpost for education, research, and innovation in the Bay Area, Swissnex offered me a unique vantage point to witness and participate in international relations at their most practical level. Working at the intersection of diplomacy, innovation, and cultural exchange, I helped connect Switzerland to one of the world's most dynamic regions. I discovered that effective public diplomacy isn't just about formal government interactions—it's about creating meaningful connections between people, ideas, and institutions.

During my time at Swissnex, I helped organize startup bootcamps, delegations to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), and knowledge exchange, such as “connect lunches” with local academia, bringing together diverse stakeholders from both countries. These experiences taught me how carefully curated events can strengthen relations in ways that traditional diplomacy alone cannot achieve.

I developed skills in crafting messaging that effectively communicated Swiss values and expertise to American audiences, learning to adapt communication strategies to different cultural contexts. By helping facilitate partnerships between Swiss and American entities, I saw firsthand how public diplomacy creates lasting networks that benefit everyone.

This experience revealed to me how modern diplomatic missions like Swissnex serve as platforms for nations to showcase their innovative capacity, cultural heritage, and educational excellence—essential elements of public diplomacy in today's interconnected world.

My year at Swissnex confirmed my passion for public diplomacy as a powerful tool for international cooperation and understanding—a foundation I continue to build upon in my professional journey.