Well, people say they are from "the Chicagoland" so I'll try it....
Anyways, my name is Tim, and I am a 35 year old Yank/Canuck combo and a newly minted PhD, here in the Basel area on a fellowship to study and write. I will be here for most of 2013. I came here blind, not knowing anyone, so I figured this might be a way to meet some people in a similar situation. Up for dinner, boozing, hitting the town, exploring the area, skiing, etc. Not sure how this works, but if interested, drop a line! Any info on the area would be greatly appreciated as well.....

hei you... so did i get that right? you're from the good old chicagoland?
i used to live in wheaton, don't know if you know it :-) that was back in 99 though :-) but i'm in chicago at least once a year... it feels like home to me...
i'm alex... and i'm looking for americans to hang out and become friends with... i miss everything about the US and i'm trying to get some of it back by meeting people from the US... if you wanna hang out sometime, let me know... i can't really send any private message right now, have to wait 1440 hours!!! balls! but if you feel like it, you can add my skype and we can talk there... would be great ... take care, Alex

Welcome and all the best of luck in BL