Thanks for the link lmtc! Hope that the group is still in operation.
Otherwise, are there anymore English speakers out there who need more life in Lugano? We should get together and do something.
did you know the American School in Lugano? There are a lot of students and teachers over there. Sometimes, they live in Montagnola or Sorengo and use to date in Lugano. By my side, I live in the neighbourhood of Bellinzona and this town is so quiet too.
Other suggestions, Lugano Tigers basketball team is a foreign reality in Switzerland...as Rugby Team as well and I can't forget Lugano Hockey Team...in Lugano you could find some good friends!
Good Luck!
CFCH
Thanks for your note! I am aware of the school but I really don't have much of a chance to run into its members. Shame. There are plenty of English-speaking types at USI (where I work) too, guess I'm just not the kind that runs up to strangers and introduce myself.
For the sports teams that you have mentioned, are you suggesting that I should go watch them or join them? Because they're all men's teams, am I correct? That brings up a great question - are there any outdoor sports club around that goes hiking in a group or something along those lines?
My friends are mostly Italian-speaking, which is nothing to complain apart from that my head spins after too much conversation in Italian. It'd be great to get together with people and hang out without having to mentally translate everything before I speak. Hehe.
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
/Jen.
There are lots of expats and English speakers here. We're just not as obvious as in some of the bigger cities like Zurich or Geneva but we're here and it just requires a little effort to connect!
The Meetup group gets together every month for a drink and you just missed the last outing on Friday night. The group is also on Facebook - search Lugano English Speaking Group - or you have the other link.
http://www.meetup.com/newintown-922
There is an outdoor training group in Parco Ciani on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings which includes some expats and everyone in the group also speaks English including the trainer.
For more info, email info at special1 dot ch.
There is a Sunday morning group of expats who meet to run or walk and then regroups for caffe at 10am at the Golfo (almost directly opposite the Eden Hotel fountain). Quite a few people just come out for caffe and a chat.
Email runlugano at hotmail dot com for information or to join the mailing list.
Then there are the two big women's groups - the IWCL or American Women in Ticino. Both have websites for more information and both run mixed activities.
There is also the Big Ben Club. A slightly older crowd but some youngsters amongst them and you just never know who you might meet.
http://www.bigbenclublugano.ch
Franklin College runs a lecture series in the spring every year with an apero afterwards. It's well supported by the English speaking community and again, a chance to connect with others living here.
http://www.fc.edu/content/about-franklin/lecture-series
Just a few ideas. You get to meet all sorts of people through these groups and can then build your own English speaking network.
SS
Let's do it while summer strikes or nothing will happen again for ages...
To all - what about an evening out during jazz festival?
Lets decide the date. The Jazz festival is from July 1-3. We can meet up, have a drink and be at the concert. July 2 and 3 are fine for me.
Check the event here:
When's a good time? I guess we can all meet somewhere at the Piazza Riforma.
Mar
this is my first time on a forum. I've been living in Lugano for about a year now though in and out for longer. My problem is my job. I'm a musician and work a lot in the evenings so most people socialise while I'm working. I just want to meet people who like having fun. I find it so hard to have a laugh in Italian! And when I do try to translate my humour, people look at me as if I'm odd...
I'm sure there are lots of vibrant, interesting folk about this city/village. How can I find you??
I really don't know other social groups dedicated to English speaking events. Or search for "Lugano" in the threads and send Private Messages to the people you would like to get to know better. I hope, that helps a little.
I am sorry to jumo on bord after so long, but since that post was created, I would like to share also the community of internationals in Ticino, if you moved here and want to meet other expats or English speakers @internationalsinticino