June - July 2015

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NETWORKING
79 Jun-Jul15
When he’s not working in
digital marketing, French
expat CYRIL COUSTEUR
(pictured, second from left)
enjoys socialising with fellow
members of InterNations,
a global expat community.
Here he tells us more about
i t , including hi s role as
InterNations Ambassador.
How did you hear about
InterNations and what appealed
to you about it?
A friend told me about it in March 2012.
I joined up and attended my first social
event, and I really enjoyed it as a way to
meet other expats andmake new friends.
After joining, you went on
to become an InterNations
“Consul”, and then an
“Ambassador”; tell us about that.
My favourite InterNations group when
I first joined was one called “Dinner
Nations”. (I’m a big foodie.) I stepped up
to the plate in mid-2012 and organised
a dinner at a restaurant that was in
the Hong Kong Michelin Guide. It was
such a success that I became famous
in the InterNations Community as the
“Dinner Guy”!
Later that year, I was asked to be the
Consul of Dinner Nations. In that role, I
organised a dinner every month, with the
help of my Co-consuls. I was then asked if
I wanted to be an Ambassador, and was
confirmed in the role in September 2013.
What do you do as an
Ambassador?
I organise or co-organise one or two
social events a month, and my role at the
events is to be the host and help create
a welcoming atmosphere. I also talk
to members and help them meet new
people. I’m basically the “ice breaker”.
How does a person get involved
in InterNations? Is it free to be a
member?
Basic Membership is free and gives
access to all the community features
and social events (for which there is an
entrance fee). There’s also a premium
Albatross Membership that allows
you access to exclusive features and
content, and free or reduced entry at
all community events. If you progress
to holding the position of Consul
or Ambassador, you get Albatross
Membership for free.
What’s your own expat “trail”?
I was living in France before coming to
Hong Kong, but I’ve now been here for
more than 10 years. When I first arrived, I
really wished I had access to something
like InterNations. It would have given
me the chance to meet new people
more quickly, and to get tips on living
here from other expats. I found settling
in quite difficult, and it took me time to
understand how it all works, how to find
a job, set up a flat and so on. Some extra
help would been very welcome!
Where in Hong Kong do you live
now? What do you like about it?
Jordan. I love it; it’s very “local” and it
has a really nice market.
What are some of your favourite
InterNations events and
activities?
I enjoy the monthly social drinks at our
Global InterNations community events,
and also the boat trips we hold in
summer. These two events really help
expats to meet and get to know each
other; they also enhance the community
feeling. In a big city like Hong Kong, you
often meet like-minded people once
and then you don’t see them again; with
InterNations’ regular gatherings, you
get the chance to catch up with recent
acquaintances. The boat trip is very
good as it’s one of our full-day events
and we have the chance to socialise with
100 people all day and get involved in
activities together.
For more information about
InterNations, visit eL