Like many Luxembourgers before and after him, Pierre-Sébastien Thill chose France to study law. This was in the late 1970s. Having found a job in his host country, he never returned home. “At the time, even more so than today, my proficiency in three major languages and the cultural openness that characterise Luxembourgers were seen as significant assets by the law firm that took me on,” recalls the lawyer, now 68.
Thill, a specialist in international tax, led CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats--one of France’s leading business law firms--for 20 years. He remains its executive chair to this day. Moving from Luxembourg to France did not involve a major cultural shift, but certain differences stood out to him. Chief among them: “the French ability for self-mockery and self-criticism, but also the fact that they only tolerate it from their fellow countrymen.”
“As a non-French person, one must be very careful not to nod along or add to it. But I quickly got past that stage and was fully assimilated within a few years. At the same time, and paradoxically, their sense of national grandeur, even intellectual and cultural superiority, is very strong. This is the arrogant side often criticised by non-French people. It can be quite exasperating at times.”
Bridging cultures in Germany
Christian Jung set his sights on Germany for his university studies after finishing high school. “At the time, the Technical University of Munich was the only institution offering my chosen programme, so I relocated to Munich to begin my studies and, with a few interruptions, have been living there since,” explains the 40-something Jung. A specialist in early-stage biotech venture capital, he is currently a partner at SV Health Investors in London, where he co-leads the Dementia Discovery Fund.
Being from Luxembourg has often been an advantage.
After completing his baccalaureate at the Athénée de Luxembourg, Jung had no difficulty leaving his home country. “Not at all. At the time, Luxembourg did not have a university, and most of my friends were also moving abroad for their studies.” Nor did he struggle to integrate into Munich, where he never felt like a foreigner. “Being from Luxembourg has often been an advantage. People generally have a positive perception of Luxembourgers, which serves as a great starting point in any professional or social setting. I have never faced any negative bias or challenges due to my nationality. One of the biggest opportunities has been leveraging our natural ability to connect people, thanks in large part to our multilingual background.”
What cultural differences between Luxembourg and Germany have stood out the most? “Luxembourgish people tend to be more direct and pragmatic, which is likely influenced by the country’s small size and close-knit community. In larger countries, such as Germany, there is often a greater emphasis on diplomacy and political manoeuvring in professional settings.”
One aspect of Luxembourg that he particularly misses in daily life is “the efficiency and ease of getting things done in Luxembourg. Many administrative matters can be resolved with a simple phone call, whereas in other countries one often has to navigate complex and time-consuming bureaucratic processes. Luxembourg was also one of the pioneers in digital governance. Even today, some countries still struggle to implement digital services at the same level of efficiency.”
Despite living abroad for many years, Jung has held onto “the Luxembourgish approach to problem-solving: addressing issues head-on, cutting through unnecessary complexity and simply getting things done. There is a certain pragmatic mindset in Luxembourg that I continue to apply.”
Adapting to Swiss precision
Isabelle Crauser, 40, also shares a story of successful integration--this time in Switzerland. A graduate of EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, she returned to the Alpine country ten years ago for work. Now an associate director at CSL Behring, a world leader in biotechnology, she is based in Bern, where she leads the team responsible for qualifying infrastructure and production equipment to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards.
Having grown up in Luxembourg City, she recalls two specific challenges when she first started working in Switzerland: “the first was punctuality--meetings start and end to the exact minute, which, I must admit, took me some time to adjust to. The second was Swiss German. Since my employer is based in Bern, it took me a good three months before I could follow conversations without difficulty.”
Among the cultural differences between the two countries, one aspect stands out in particular: “the deep connection the Swiss have with nature. The mountains, lakes and nature in general play a central role in their daily lives. This connection with nature is something I find particularly different from Luxembourg. The landscapes there are just as beautiful, but the culture of outdoor living and nature-based activities is less embedded in everyday life.”
A scientist’s global journey
Another expatriate in Switzerland, Carlo Thilgen, 63, left Luxembourg in 1980 to pursue his university studies. After studying chemistry in Bonn and completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Los Angeles, he eventually settled in Zurich, “following an unexpected professional opportunity.” Now a full professor at the institute of organic chemistry at ETH Zurich, he has no regrets: “my time abroad as a scientist opened up educational and career opportunities that I would not have had in Luxembourg--certainly not 40 years ago.”
Having worked exclusively in academia--a traditionally international environment--and having only lived in Western countries, Thilgen believes he has not faced major integration challenges. “But in general, I think Luxembourgers do not encounter too many difficulties in their host societies. On the one hand, Luxembourg does not hold an exposed position on the international political stage, and on the other, Luxembourgers are not stigmatised as ‘economic migrants’--a notion that often comes up in social discourse in many countries today. These two factors, among others, mean that we are generally welcomed with goodwill.”
Our geographical position between the French- and German-speaking regions of Europe likely makes us more familiar with different ways of approaching things.
Abroad, Luxembourgers benefit from a relative absence of prejudice, according to the professor: “our geographical position between the French- and German-speaking regions of Europe likely makes us more familiar with different ways of approaching things. This flexibility in handling perspectives is generally appreciated and can make us less likely to be categorised into a specific mindset, which could otherwise be a source of bias. The lack of a strong stereotype of what is ‘typically Luxembourgish’ may have a similar effect.”
During his postdoctoral period in California, Thilgen found Americans particularly open to foreign newcomers. “Often, people didn’t even ask where I was from, which I found very unusual--almost a bit strange.” In Zurich in the early 1990s, however, “there was sometimes a certain unease when people realised you didn’t speak Swiss German. But this has changed significantly over time. What I particularly appreciate about the Swiss is their willingness to place trust in you as soon as they form a good impression of you.”
From Luxembourg to Montreal
Also in academia, but across the Atlantic, Patrick Augustin says he wanted to “step out of [his] comfort zone and leave the Luxembourg bubble” by moving abroad--“the first time in 2000 to study and work, then again in 2008 after a four-year stint in Luxembourg.” Now in his 40s, he is an associate professor of finance at McGill University in Montreal.
Compared to Luxembourg, he observes that Canada is a far more ethnically and religiously diverse country. “Montreal is a melting pot of communities. This comes with many advantages, such as exposure to more diverse food, cultural activities and events, but also with increased exposure to geopolitical tensions that can be felt more intensively, especially at a university campus like McGill, which is situated in the inner city of Montreal.”
Navigating life in the US
Having emigrated to the United States--specifically to New York--Bob Rivollier has observed an even greater cultural gap between his host country and Luxembourg. “Luxembourg is a small country that relies heavily on its neighbours and isn’t self-sufficient, whereas the United States is a large nation capable of self-sufficiency and exerting global influence. Luxembourgers tend to be largely oriented towards the outside world, while in the US large portions of the population have never travelled beyond the country’s borders, and many don’t even hold a passport. Both countries’ histories are also very different, further shaping deep cultural differences.”
A 43-year-old lawyer specialising in private equity, Rivollier has lived in New York since 2012. “The United States always played a special role in my family,” explains the partner at the international law firm Ropes & Gray LLP. “Family members emigrated there as far back as the 19th century, and my grandparents found refuge in the United States after escaping Luxembourg during World War II. My grandfather fought in the US Army and after the war returned to Luxembourg with my grandmother to start a family. Growing up, I regularly listened to my grandfather talk very fondly about his time in the United States, and by the time I entered my teenage years I knew that I wanted to spend some time there too.”
Growing up in Luxembourg may have better equipped me for certain aspects of living abroad, particularly adapting to different cultures. In many ways, Luxembourgers are natural global citizens.
However, his integration into American life was not without obstacles. “My first attempt at establishing myself in the United States fell flat when I couldn’t secure a visa extension in 2007 despite having become an expert navigator of administrative processes. It took me more than four years to overcome that hurdle and be able to move back to New York. And even after I moved back to New York in 2012, it still took almost ten years before I had fully navigated the complex immigration system and earned the right to permanently stay in the United States.”
Despite the challenges of living abroad, Rivollier never felt they were specifically linked to his nationality. “In fact, growing up in Luxembourg may have better equipped me for certain aspects of living abroad, particularly adapting to different cultures. In many ways, Luxembourgers are natural global citizens; we are at all times less than a half-hour drive from three other countries, and our diverse population fosters a multicultural mindset. In addition, by the time we graduate from high school, most Luxembourgers speak at least four, if not five, languages, further enhancing our ability to connect and interact with others abroad.”
And what has he learned from his host country? “One of the things that continues to strike me is how failure isn’t stigmatised in the United States. In fact, not trying is frowned upon more than trying and then failing. Over the years, I have come across numerous successful people, and almost all of them experienced failure before they became successful--and often they failed many times (and some fail after becoming successful, but then they get up and try again). I have no doubt that this contributes to the deep culture of entrepreneurship in the United States, and I would love to see more of that in Luxembourg.”
From dreams to success in NYC
Entrepreneur Liz Breuer, 28, has had a similar experience. Also based in New York, she arrived in the city ten years ago to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “I was a naïve 19-year-old with a suitcase and a dream,” she recalls, but quickly realised that “nothing was guaranteed, and only a combination of hard work, determination and a lot of networking would allow me to move forward.” After founding a marketing agency specialising in fashion, beauty and technology, she recently launched mysa, a non-alcoholic aperitif brand.
This collaborative, community-driven mindset is something I’d love to see more of in Luxembourg.
“Here, my differences have been met with curiosity rather than reluctance,” she explains, admitting that she sometimes becomes ‘the fun fact’ at a party. “Maybe it’s unique to New York or to my industry, but I’ve noticed that by openly sharing what you’re building, you’re often surprised by how many people are willing to support your vision and connect you to their network. This collaborative, community-driven mindset is something I’d love to see more of in Luxembourg.” To Luxembourgers considering a move to the United States, Breuer offers this advice: “be ready to work hard and intensely. The pace here is very different from Luxembourg, but if you find your place and give it your all, your efforts will always pay off. In general, if you have an idea, people will ask, ‘how can we make this happen?’ rather than listing all the reasons why you shouldn’t pursue it. Use that to your advantage.”
Creativity and hustle in LA
Jeff Desom was also drawn to the American work culture. A director, screenwriter and visual effects supervisor, he moved to the United States in 2014. “I was awarded the Edward Steichen Residency in 2014, which allowed me to stay in New York for a couple of months. During that time, I realised that there were way more job opportunities in my particular field of expertise in the States. I had spent years waiting for projects to happen in Luxembourg, only to fail at the last hurdle. It felt like in Luxembourg there was a lot of red tape, and I had to get permission to do a lot of things and then wait for ages, only to be rejected by a small committee of people.”
Originally from the Moselle region, he also sees other advantages to life in the US: “as an expert in my field, I can also work on projects of far greater reach and be remunerated in a way that reflects the cost of living. In Luxembourg, the cost of living is on par with Los Angeles, but the pay doesn’t reflect that necessarily, and you don’t have access to all the things of a major city. And it’s sunny year-round, which made the decision a little easier.”
Things move at a different pace in the US.
Known for his work supervising the visual effects for Everything Everywhere All at Once--which won the Academy Award for Best Picture--Desom has nonetheless experienced a culture shock: “Luxembourg and the US are on either end of the spectrum when it comes to welfare and social security. Work dominates most aspects of life over here because the safety net isn’t nearly what it is in Luxembourg, so everyone is hustling very hard to make ends meet. Things move at a different pace in the US, and a lot of people live paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, if you know there is a safety net, it can take the wind out of your sails.”
Another difference is the role of cars in daily life. “You always hear how bad LA traffic is and how obsessed they are with their cars. But then I tell people about Luxembourg traffic and how everyone is driving the latest and greatest model in Luxembourg. I’ve never seen a construction site take more than a couple of days when they fix a road.”
Luxembourg’s global talents
The arts and culture scene is well represented among Luxembourgers living abroad, the most notable figure being film star Vicky Krieps. Born in Hesperange 41 years ago, she is now based in Berlin.
Also among the standout names is film producer Fabien Colas, who is partially based in Los Angeles and has gained recognition for his work on music videos for artists such as Miley Cyrus. In the world of dance, Louis Steinmetz is a key member of the Staatsballett Hannover. Pianist Francesco Tristano, known for blending acoustic piano with electronic synthesisers, is set to perform at the Luxembourg Pavilion during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. Other prominent Luxembourgish musicians include percussionists Louisa Marxen and Marc Lohr, as well as cellist Annemie Osborne. The country is also making waves in the international DJ scene, with DJ Ogazon and Louise Chen earning recognition as part of a rising generation of female DJs.
A presence in sport and design
In architecture, Pol Theis has become a household name. Once a lawyer, he pivoted to a career as a designer in New York. In painting, Tina Gillen has been exploring the boundary between figuration and abstraction since the late 1990s. Born in 1972, she now resides in Brussels, where she shares the artistic landscape with Val Smets, a representative of the new generation. This interdisciplinary artist integrates painting, sculpture, sound and scent into her work.
Luxembourgers have also made their mark in the sporting world. Automotive engineer Mike Krack stands out as a key figure. After serving as team principal at Aston Martin F1 team in Silverstone, he took on the role of chief trackside officer in January 2025. Another notable name is Claude Rach, head of strategy and business development at ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), which owns and organises more than 90 events per year, including the Tour de France, Dakar Rally and Paris Marathon.
This article was written for the of Paperjam magazine, published on 26 March. The content is produced exclusively for the magazine. It is published on the site to contribute to the full Paperjam archive. .
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