From helping injured students to supporting people affected by devastating wildfires, Theres Ryf Desai is the first point of contact for Swiss citizens on the island paradise of Hawaii. Reaching someone by phone in Hawaii from Switzerland takes some coordination. I call her at 8am on a Thursday morning. Where she lives, it is still Wednesday evening – and already 9pm. A native of Bern, Desai has lived in Hawaii on the island of Oahu for 36 years. She studied architecture at the federal technology institute ETH Zurich and worked in the field for many years. At 64, she is now in the process of winding down her career in the property sector. Since 2010, Desai has been volunteering as Switzerland’s honorary consul. “I like helping people. It is deeply rewarding,” she says. “And I am happy to give something back to the country that gave me an excellent free education. Living abroad has made me appreciate that now more than ever. When the Swiss foreign ministry originally contacted her ...
