The fast track to finding friends and activities—in and around Lisbon
Date: 01/08/2007The best piece of advice I received before moving overseas was to join clubs and groups as soon as I arrived. I balked at first: In the U.S. I was never much of a joiner as I had my teaching work, a tight group of friends, and all the social events that I wanted. But the wise friend who counseled me had lived overseas before and said, “When you get to a new country, you’ll want friends, activities, and some structure. Clubs provide all of this, instantly.”
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Clubs and groups in the Lisbon / Caiscais area:
Americans in Portugal (AmP),e-mail:ddprice98@hotmail.com ; website:http://amportugal.planetaclix.pt/, is for American expatriates in Portugal. website: www.royalbritishclub.pt, is an international business and social club serving the business and social needs of its members in Portugal. |
All nationalities welcome
In Portugal, where I have lived for the past 15 years, there’s a wide range of clubs and groups for the expat. In Cascais, a seaside suburb of Lisbon, Americans in Portugal (AmP) was established in 2000. AmP exists as a social group that holds lunches in Cascais every month or six weeks.
Two guidelines only
The group has only two guidelines: English is the main language spoken, and all events are non-smoking. Most lunches have speakers on topics ranging from banking to local politics and local and international security. The atmosphere is informal, no neckties are worn, and friendships are made easily. The lunches vary from 50 to 80 people and are attended mainly by Americans, Portuguese, Brazilians, and British—all nationalities are welcome. The club’s Director, Don David Price, and other active members, also help newcomers in their search for housing and other essentials, such as information on insurance, health care, and visas.
The American Club of Lisbon (ACL) was founded in 1974. ACL creates a welcoming environment for active members of the business community to meet and discuss themes of current interest. The club has invited speakers including presidents, prime ministers, mayors, business leaders, and front runners in business, educational, and political fields. The club currently has an international membership of 550 with 80% Portuguese and 10% Americans represented (the remaining 10% represents other nationalities). The Club’s administrator, Anne Taylor Grave, says, “Since most of our members are comfortable in both English and Portuguese, speakers are asked to speak in one of these two languages, preferably in their mother tongue.”
Forging new friendships
International Women of Portugal (IWP) was established in 1991. While English is the language used by the club for its day-to-day communications and business, over 30 different nationalities are represented within the membership (currently at 300+). The group holds a monthly luncheon and a monthly coffee morning with special fundraising events throughout the year—ample opportunity to meet new people and forge new friendships. A Janela (the window) is the club’s monthly magazine, full of activities ranging from a book club to canasta, fitness walks by the sea to arraoilos rug making.
If the idea of making friends or finding activities holds you back from moving overseas, you can put your worries aside in Portugal. You’ll find instant company, activity, and fun in this sunny Iberian country.
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