Finally be out of Wallis by September latest, we were accepted for an apartment we can afford and if we don't get one sooner we will be in Bern by September. I was wondering how many English native speakers live around the area and if you guys have a study group for German or anything?

Congratulations, that is good news.

I would think quite a few expats, because of the Embassies and the University. Not quite sure yet how to get in touch with them, except for the Pickwick pub and soccer matches at the gaskessel in Bern right now . I presume the international club of Berne would be a start.

I am still looking for German courses for expats myself too.

Hi!

I'm from the Bernese Oberland but work in Bern.
Don't really know where to look for english speaking people but I would start with the english church in Bern (even if you aren't a believer). They've got every year a christmas bazar what is small but quite nice.

different churches: http://www.biec.ch/index.php?option=...page&Itemid=46
st.ursula's church bern: http://www.mypage.bluewin.ch/english...rne/index.html
good luck!

does someone know where you can watch rugby matches in Bern? (like the All Blacks?)

Congrats! I know how hard it was/is for you out in the middle of nowhere, so here's to hoping that Bern has many more opportunities!

Wouldn't the Pickwick club/pub have rugby? It is an expat place I think. Maybe someone else can confirm?

this might help, Gurutalon...

be.carrick.ch

good luck!

Hi

I moved to the Bern canton (Burgdorf) in March 2005 with my Husband (we are both from Manchester, England) and have struggled to find many native English speakers.

Should you find any further info on groups or German speaking groups, please keep me updated!!

Thanks

So Louby, have you been on on of those walks or other events of the international club of bern yet? I still need to go, they send out newsletters every month with a long list of events.

If you find out let me know. I may not be kiwi but i'm almost there, after all i've lived there since i was 9!

English speakers are not that hard to find in Bern, just depends where you look. I like going the St Ursula's English church second hand book sales, next one is in April. But if anyone knows a "German practising club for English speakers" in Bern or is keen to start one... I'm all in! I really don't get out enough to improve my deutsch.

We are 20 minutes west of Bern. You have family or friends here? With the US Embassy in bern, you should stop in and see what their programs are for expats. My father-in-Law used to work their, says it is quite busy.

Hi Louby, We are both from the North of England, me from Rochdale, Lancs, and my husband is from Leeds(somebody has to be).We have only just found somepeople who are native English, I think there is a lot out there according to this site, you just need to find them. We live quite near you in Herzogenbuchsee.

Hi Velexley

Nice to know that there are some northerners living close by!!! How long have you been living here?

There are lots of expats around Berne, the mailing list swisscc has 900 members.
See berne.carrick.ch, go to www.englishclub.ch, join www.toastmasters.ch.

I wonder why people do not even look up "English" in the phone book!

GRaham

Regular meetings of English-Speaking organisations in Berne

The Bern Expat Meetup Group
Xing
Toastmasters www.toastmasters.ch > Berne
The English-Speaking Club of Berne
The International Club of Berne

Churches
St Ursula's Anglicah church berne.anglican.ch
English Speaking Roman Catholic Community www.kath.ch
Philadelphia Missionary Church http://www.inforel.ch/index.php?id=i1256
BIEC Bern International Evangelical Church www.biec.ch/
Quakers (Society of Friends) http://www.swiss-quakers.ch/english/ou.html#

Here are some meetings in fall 2007.

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The Bern Expat Meetup Group
Join on http://expat.meetup.com/174/
No membership fee.

Wed Sep 26, 8:45 PM Movie Night at Cinematte

Sun Sep 30, 9:30 AM Oeschinensee Hike

Mon Oct 1, 7:00 PM October Movie Night

Thu Oct 4, 6:00 PM Thursday after-work drinks

Wed Oct 10, 6:00 PM Wednesday after-work drinks

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Swiss Innovators Gala, 3rd edition @ Bern
26 Sep 2007, 04:30 pm -- 09:30 pm, Bern

XING Bern macht Radio im BE1 Land
11 Oct 2007, 04:00 pm -- 07:00 pm, Bern

XING Bern Espace Mittelland After Work Networking
21 Oct 2007, 11:00 am -- 02:00 pm, Gasel - Köniz

XING Bern Kunstausstellung Werner Schwarz mit Grönland-Impressionen
25 Oct 2007, 07:30 pm -- 09:30 pm, Köniz

Project Management Institute Switzerland Chapter - National Event 22
Nov. 2007
22 Nov 2007, 12:30 pm -- 09:00 pm

Last Choc vor Weihnachten!
20 Dec 2007, 06:15 pm -- 09:30 pm
21 Dec 2007, 06:15 pm -- 09:30 pm

You have to be a member of Xing. Free.
"XING makes your professional network an active part of your life. Far
more than a directory of business contacts, XING enables its members
to discover professional people, opportunities and privileges through
its unique discovery capability and advanced contact management tools."
Now 4 milliopn members, 4000 in Bern.



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Toastmasters of Berne

September 10
September 24 (contest evening)
October 2 Area contests in Basel
October 8
October 22
October 27 Swiss Division conference in Zurich
November 12
November 26 (Tall Tales contest)

The fall contests are Humorous speech and Impromptu Speech

Information on www.toastmasters.ch, click on Berne.
Meetings at the Casa d'Italia, 1845-2130.
We take a light meal at 2000. Guests welcome and free.

If you are interested in training in comminucations,
ask to join our open mailing list.

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