It would be interesting to know if there are any English speaking social groups in Lugano. I've been here for three years but haven't met as many people as I would like. I find it very quiet after 7 years in Rome too.

The only one I have heard of is http://www.meetup.com/newintown-922/

I've been in Lugano for almost 2 years now, can't help but feel the same way as GFF does.

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.

Hi Jennifer Wyng

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

I don't know if you could call me and my wife a 'group' per se. Perhaps a loosely organized confederation of occasionally common interests kept together by shared responsibilities.

Hi 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.

Haha, that totally counts as a 'group', as much as my boyfriend and I make a group I guess. I love it when conversations go meta. But other than this core 'group' of yours, what kind of people do you generally hang out with in Lugano? I guess this question would apply to everyone.

Ciao.

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.

http://www.iwcl.org

http://www.awot.ch

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

If anybody wishes to meet up and do stuff, I'd be up for it!
Let's do it while summer strikes or nothing will happen again for ages...

sthnstar - thank you so much for the super useful post! I think I just heard doors cracking open. Just joined the Meetup group a couple of days ago, I look forward to joining you next time!

To all - what about an evening out during jazz festival?

Jazz festival sounds good. Lugano or Mendrisio? Which night?

Im IN...

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:

http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/it/161/...=602&idMod=418

I vote for July 2! Looks like a great programme is in store that day.

When's a good time? I guess we can all meet somewhere at the Piazza Riforma.

If you haven't been before you have no idea how packed the square gets. You'll wonder where everyone is for the rest of the year...so perhaps it would be good to meet elsewhere, in front of Manor for instance?

Hi, I live about 10 km from Lugano and it is quiet here. Would be nice to meet English speaking people and do something together.
Mar

Did you guys meet? How did it go? It's a pity that I missed the Thread back in June. I would like to meet English speakers.

Hi,

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??

Well, Meet Up again (see above)

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.