If you just moved to town but also if you’d like to meet expats living in Milan you can get in contact with the following groups, attend their events for expatriates in Milan and also join the big English-speaking community of residents in Milan. The list is featured in alphabetical order:
1. Benvenuto Club of Milan: Women in Town
- The Benvenuto Club group visiting the top of Milan Duomo
An all-volunteer organization of English speaking women in Milan meeting for friendship, fun, cultural exchange, travel and more. You can join their meetups each Wednesday from 10:30am to noon at D&G Martini Bar, Corso Venezia 15. Variations are usually communicated via the official Facebook account.
The Club was established in 1967 by a handful of visionary women – Italian, British and American- who saw the need to help English-speaking newcomers to Milan settle into their new home. It remains a self-governing, non-profit, a-political, non-commercial organization that depends on the time and creativity of its membership to thrive.
Currently, their membership is over 220 women from over 25 countries, however through the years thousands of women have enjoyed the Club’s hospitality during their stay in Milan.
We publish their most important events in our events section.
>> Learn more on www.benvenutomilano.net; write to them at newcomersbenvenuto@gmail.com
2. Casa Scozia and Oro di Scozia: the Italian Scottish Community
The home of Scottish Culture in Italy, Casa Scozia is an association supporting Scottish initiatives or events involving Italy; from Scottish country dance lessons, Tartan night, Whiskey day to St. Andrew’s Dinner Dance.
In the main picture of this article, you can see a shot from the St. Andrew’s Day 2017 event in Milan by Casa Scozia. In the middle: Mr. John Murphy, true Scotsman and president of the organization.
Another Scottish-friendly organization is Oro di Scozia, based in Como and led by the Italian Ferdinando Viti, who founded it to spread the Scottish culture and atmosphere in Italy.
>> Learn more on www.casascozia.org
>> Follow Oro di Scozia on Facebook or on their official website
3. CouchSurfing Group, English-Speaking Young Travelers in Milan
If you attend their events you will find a varied community of both English-speaking locals and passing-by backpackers. This is the largest Couchsurfing group and also the most active one in Italy.
Its members organize all-year-round gatherings and silly events, such as the language exchange groups or the international aperitivos (10-50 attendees) or the huge annual events pillow fight in pyjamas and no-pants subway run, attended by thousands of glocals. We publish their most important events in our events section.
>> The best way to learn more is joining their official and unofficial Facebook groups (Couchsurfing Milan is the biggest one) and, of course, joining the Couchsurfing community at www.couchsurfing.com.
4. The Italian Online Community of English-Speaking Residents: EasyCircle by Easy Milano
The online community for English speakers in Italy founded by Amie Louie and Aaron Pugliesi, who expatriated to Milan in 1999 and started publishing Easy Milano, the magazine for English speaking residents. The last issue of Easy Milano was published in December 2017 and since then, part of the content was transferred to our magazine and website. Today, Amie and Aaron are still contributing to improving the lives of expats in Milan by organizing big events, such as Thanksgiving 2017. We publish their most important events in our events section.
>> Be part of the community, register for free on www.EasyCircle.it, join groups with like-minded people or create your own group.
5. Milan Greeters, Free Walking Tours by Locals
Milan Greeters are volunteers who will share their love for the city with you in an enthusiastic and hospitable manner. A Greeter will walk with you through the city for a couple of hours and make you experience Milan in a unique way. For families, friends or people travelling solo.
>> Click milan.greeters.info to learn more
