We strongly believe that we have to do our part as well. That’s why we at InterNations have decided to cancel all in-person official events and activities scheduled in our communities around the world until 15 May. Events planned for the rest of May or later will be put on hold for now. We understand that this might seem like a drastic measure, but our biggest priority these days is to protect our members and keep our communities and those around us safe by practicing social distancing, even if it is difficult.
While we can’t completely stop it, many health authorities believe that social distancing will help slow down the rate of infection, which will also help avoid overwhelming the health-care system. So even if you are feeling fine, social distancing is essential for the welfare of others, so you can protect the sick, elderly, or immunocompromised members of your community. It’s really about compassion for those around you.
“Self-quarantining” — the extreme form of social distancing — is important to do if you’re not feeling well, if you’ve been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for Coronavirus, or if you have recently traveled to a region with a known outbreak.
For more information on how effective social distancing is, check out these helpful websites:
It’s helpful to imagine that anyone you come into contact in with is your elderly grandmother whose health you want to protect. So, try to stay at home as much as you can. Basically, the more you can avoid contact with other people the better! And when you do go out, don’t forget to wash your hands before and after you leave your house. Here are a few changes you can make:
For expats, being isolated at home can be especially lonely and frustrating. At InterNations, we are committed to continue bringing international people together — even if it is just virtually for now. While the current situation prevents you from meeting each other face-to-face, we still offer many ways for you to connect, get answers to your questions, and share experiences:
Taking all these actions will help curb the spread of this virus, protecting your community, while also helping you to avoid boredom at home — win win!
For our communities, this month has been full of outdoor adventures, from hiking in the spectacular Irish countryside, to pool parties in Shanghai, InterNations members have been making the most of the great outdoors. Here is just a handful of highlights from August with InterNations.
To celebrate reaching a major milestone, 3 million members worldwide, the team at InterNations decided to hold a competition to find out about your “one in three million” InterNations friend. See who our winner is and what they have to say about expat life and friendship.
Social distancing and self-isolation can take quite a toll on your mental health, especially among expats, who are often far from home. Here are some great ways to connect with other global minds, even in times of crises.
Over the last months, we have seen some great activities hosted by Consuls all over the world, bringing their group to another community and giving their members a truly international experience. We asked two of them to tell us about the travelling adventures they recently shared with their groups.
We celebrate eleven years of InterNations with official events and activities taking place across the world, from Munich to Sydney, our members have been meeting, mingling, and hitting the dancefloor. So, here’s to you and another eleven years of fun, laughter, and fantastic events!