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What Benvenuto Means To Me Written by Holly Klose I’d be dead if it weren’t for Benvenuto and AIM who rescued me when I arrived in January 2006. Okay okay, so maybe that’s a bit too dramatic, but…the truth be told, I’d for sure have probably cried myself to death, been smothered by my husband to end my loneliness, or died of boredom!! Milan is my first ever Expat experience. I thought, “oh wow, Italy!” We arrived here from sunny Florida, yup, just like everyone pictures it... blue skies, sunny days, clean air, house with golf course views, beach just a short distance. I had traveled to Italy several times before, but not to Milan….so you all know the feeling. I missed the Benvenuto Main Coffee that month, arrived a few days too late, and I lamented that fact. I had emailed several times via their web-site, but for some reason, received no reply. I busied myself making near-impossible plans to attend the Winter Olympics in Torino…and waited for the February meeting to slowly, slowly arrive. My Cultural Training person arranged for the Benvenuto past president, Shirley Travis, (a really wonderful lady) to pick me up and escort me to the Feb. meeting. THANK GOD!! The truth is, coming to a Main Coffee for the first time is so painful to a Newcomer. I sat with Maggie Zanenga (Newcomer’s director then) at a round table with 2 other newcomers…both Italian and speaking Italian, so I felt very alone. Maggie was very nice, but quite busy, Shirley walked me around the room and I signed up for all the events I could!! In fact, I hadn’t brought enough cash, and so Shirley loaned me some. I was hoping to leave there feeling a bit more connected than I really did, but it was a start. I struggled to find my way to addresses for events all month and went to my NtN Coffee which was hosted by Gigliola Del Favero, who was to become my Milanese mentor and guardian angel! Everyone at the coffee, especially Barbara Cocchini and Marilyn Tambling, helped me with the list of questions I had made before coming, including the 2 great Dutch gals Oda and Andrea. Their mission and goal there was to especially help newcomers in any way possible. After that coffee, I felt much better. I had exchanged phone numbers with a few ladies living in my neighborhood who I could now call for info. WHEW!! This along with AIM were saving graces for me! Since we came here solo, the only Expats within my husband’s office, it was difficult. To our surprise, no one at his office invited us to dinner or to any social gathering (I understand now, this is quite standard) as a result, we had no social contacts at all…. Except those at Benvenuto and AIM. When my mother passed away that April, there were many women who were very kind to me, and it was on the Trieste trip in May that I met many of them: Maria Tieghi, Nawal Felippone, Jill Krikorian, Celia Richardson and Gianna Campo. Each month I waited for my Benvenuto Magazine to arrive, so I could plan a fun filled month, combined with all the ideas from Hello Milano. So, when Amy LaVia approached me to be the AIM President for 2007, I said a nervous and hesitant, okay. I knew if I jumped right in, I would meet new friends, get to know Milan, and regain my sagging confidence. And I don’t regret it a bit! Being the AIM president for 2 years was actually a lot of work, but I gained so much from it. I got to work on the board with: Amy LaVia, our cheerleader & workhorse all rolled in one, Melinda Kapor, our personal fountain of Italian/Milanese knowledge, Maggie Zanenga who is quietly efficient and can do anything. Also, Vanessa Falleni, Kelli Giordanelli, Robin Motyka and so many more amazing ladies. Through the clubs I’ve grown to have a circle of friends, whom I’ve learned so much from; women I can call with a question, to grab lunch or a coffee, go shopping or take a day trip. They help me to stay ‘connected’ since I travel so much and have no family here, like so many others. Our AIM board has been a great source of fun this year: Amy, Melinda & Maggie, it was so wonderful getting to know you better this year, yeah!! I must tell you how much gratitude I feel for the woman in our club who live here on a permanent basis. Being AIM president for the 2nd year, I’ve worked closely with the BV board and have gotten to know them all very well. They all go to such great lengths to help us Expats; they give of their time, efforts, and emotions. This I’ve come to understand is not easy for them. They open their homes and hearts to all of us “newcomers,” we become good friends … and then we leave. Not easy, but so truly loving and generous at heart. So, would I be dead without Benvenuto and AIM? …. Maybe not physically, but by now, emotionally for sure! Instead, I’m enriched, informed and indebted…. Thanks ladies… you’re the BEST!!
Read more great articles in the May issue:
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