Its January. What do you do in a new country in the New Year? Before I move into a new country, I google about my interests in the city where I will move in, School, Housing, Tennis and Mahjong. And not to forget, THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN´S CLUB. In almost every capital city, there is one. And this is the place where I will find the answers to all the things I wanna know about.
On the onset of internet, it is possible to find housing offers and what choices of school there is. I have written a topic separately about housing and schools in my blog. But I have´t written anything about GROUPS. A much delayed issue I had to write about.
During our first posting some more than 15 years ago in Suva, Fiji Islands, I came to know about the United Nation Women´s Group, an association of international expat and local women. Being newly married, a new expat, and in a new country, that group helped me get lots of information and cope with whatever needs I had to fill. Cooking was one of the best thing I learned from there in which up until now I am using the recipes I got during that time. Internet was not around to just type in what recipe you´d like to have for a meal. In addition, first hand knowledge from the women was the extra touch in that learning process for me.
Joining the Club is one of the first things I do whenever I get to a new city. Within a week or two of stay, I already attended the International Women´s Club of Bratislava. I knew what to ask, I knew what to look for. And in every Women´s Club, there are comments, be it positive or negative. But in the end it is your choice to be active or not. More than less, it will guide you on this new land you are to call home.
In time, I had learned the skills of Tennis and Mahjong, one of the most popular activities of the Women´s Club. Here I found and joined those groups. Groups like Baby and Toddler, Yoga, Golf, Book etc are all to be found here and talking to the ladies will also give you insider tips on household help, babysitters, supermarkets, doctors, etc.
An extra in Bratislava is the ASIAN WOMEN´S GROUP. A group I have never come by anywhere else. We meet once a month bringing a dish be it typical of our home country or not. Believe me, the best asian food is in these gatherings.
Here I leave you both the links iwc.sk and http://asianbytes.wordpress.com/
Happy grouping!
