Settling INN
How did INN get started? About 12 years ago, a group of expats saw the need to run events for newcomers and began meeting socially at people's houses. Eventually it outgrew that and moved to its current location at the Capital Club Athletic Centre. So what kind of activities do you run to help foreigners adjust? We have a meeting on the last Monday of every month where a guest speaker provides helpful information about living in Beijing. And what sorts of topics usually draw the most interest? Our most popular event is called “Arrival Survival,” which is held at the end of August and focuses on how to establish the essentials. That leads into our medical meeting where we discuss how to deal with emergencies and the different healthcare options available in China. Another popular event is the market meeting where we bring in an expert to teach us about different Chinese vegetables and cooking materials that many of us have never seen before. Do you have a favorite event? Probably the Big Brekkie where people meet for breakfast and a chat. We found that only meeting once a month wasn't enough, so we also have more social events to help people just find some friends. What if I’m no longer a newcomer--can I still come to INN events? For sure. Beijing is such a large and ever-changing city, so there is nothing better than having an old-timer coming back to pass on their knowledge.

Details

For more information on the International Newcomers’ Network, visit their website at http://www.innbeijing.org, or email INNBeijing@hotmail.com.