Marianne Schneider lived in a small Austrian town in the valley of Kleinwalsertal.

In 1966, Richard Mitchele a Canadian business partner of her step-brother, asked if he knew anyone who could be a nanny for his two children since his wife Rosemary wanted to go back to work. Marianne's step-brother asked her parents if she wanted to take the job and after thinking it over she said yes.

Many factors pulled Marianne to Canada. The work opportunity of course. A new broader culture since she had lived in a small town her whole life, and lastly the job experience of working overseas.

 There were a couple things pushing Marianne from her hometown too. A small town meant less job opportunities, not a big diversity of people and a very ridged formal social structure with not a lot of freedom.

Unfortunately Marianne had to wait untill she was 18 to take the job since she was only 16 at the time. While she waited, Marianne worked at the mayor's office and traveled to Vienna to get all her papers for the job sorted. 

Finally Marianne turned 18. She arrived in Montreal Canada on October 16, 1968, because of her work visa she was granted landed immigrant status as soon as she touched down on Canadian soil.

 After a year working as a nanny, Richard and Rosemary got a divorce. Marianne was actually supposed to leave after a year but because of the divorce she stayed until Richard could find a new one.

Marianne and Richard started to like each other and began dating. When Richard found a new nanny Marianne stayed in Canada. Getting a job with Richards dad working at his shop Toronto's Anglers and Hunters.

On 1971, October 2nd Marianne married Richard becoming Marianne Mitchele. Along with the two boys Richard and John from Richard's marriage with Rosemary, they had two more kids. A boy (my father) and a girl named Christopher and Kirsten.

When Christopher grew up he attended Queens university and met Jennifer. They got married and had two kids, my sister and me. This makes me a second generation Canadian.

There were many challenges along the way such as leaving the familiarity of her town behind, leaving friends and family and even the struggle of learning a new language but Marianne persevered. Moving to Canada had many benefits. She started a family, gained new opportunities and gained freedom to be herself.

KLEINWALSERTAL CULTURE

Eche Bunk (Corner Bench)

A staple of many Austrian and German homes, an eche bunk or corner bench is exactly what it sounds like. These benches are used to conserve space and fit more people at the table. They are quite efficient, holding way more people than if the table had chairs.

Religion 

The main religion in Kleinwalsertal is Catholic. People who are Catholic believe in Jesus Christ as the son of god and the savior. They also believe in the crucifiction, reincarnation and ascension of Jesus Christ. The catholic church is the largest christian church lead by the Pope.