Over the past two months I have met more Brits than the whole 5 and half years that I have been in Louisville and it's all thanks to GLIP: Greater Louisville International Professionals. Through years of working and volunteering in the International Community I know many immigrants from dozens of countries, many have their own groups, associations and support networks, some even their own festivals. As far as Brits though, in 4 years I had met only one. It seems that we are hard to find; I happened to find them down the Pub - it figures.
I volunteer as the United Kingdom Ambassador for GLIP and last month through GLIP, myself and one other Mancunian (that's someone from Manchester) organized the first 'Brits Night Out' in an effort to find our fellow countrymen and women, and out of the woodwork they came. We had roughly 11 Brits that had never before met and last night at the second 'Night Out' even more new Brits showed up, plus 2 Australians and several Americans. I can't possibly explain in words the emotions of finally finding people from your home country after years of trying to 'fit in' to a new culture. No matter how well adapted and content you become in a new environment there will still always be a part of you that enjoys the comfort of the familiar; the need to 'breath out' after 'sucking it in'. To talk to someone with your own accent, to know that they too sometimes can't remember which is the British or the American term anymore - do we say courgette or zuchinni? Someone who can relate to the experiences and challenges you have also faced, to recall things from home and reminisce together. In the same way that a certain scent or taste can have the power to immediately trasport you back to a vivid memory; talking with my new British friends last night made me feel like I was back home, at a pub in Manchester - just for a moment. It fulfilled a craving I didnt even realize I had and I intend to get my fix every month at Brits Night Out.
- Join us on June 12th for the USA V. England World Cup Match at Molly Malone's on Baxter Ave.
- For the next Night Out keep an eye on the GLIP website or Sister Cities of Louisville Events Page.
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