Search for a European "Soul" - A Shared Feeling of Belonging

Dear Friends,

It seems like it all happened yesterday... I came to New York from Finland in 1992. Being a stranger in a big city, I was lonely, and I felt lost. Soon after my arrival, I was fortunate enough to meet some Americans who became my friends. Some of them became friends for life. I started going out, after I decided to stay here, meeting more people, and getting used to this strange city also called the "Big Apple". But one thought never left me. I was puzzled that I didn't meet many Europeans in New York. And even when I did, the contact with them was superficial and fleeting.

I kept telling my friends that something needed to be done. I couldn't believe that in such a huge city as New York there would be not one other soul like me - single, lonely, and European. I wanted to create a casual atmosphere where ALL Europeans, single and married, could meet and help one another. My friends were patiently putting up with my laments, until one day I was walking in Central Park with my good American friend, Cindy Willson. I was telling her that "I have a Dream," just like Martin Luther King, but that I don't know what to do about it. Cindy said that she would never forgive me if I didn't do something about my aspirations. "Think big," she said. "After all, it's your dream!"

I began contemplating some kind of informal group for European professionals, and at the same time started playing with different names for the group. I wanted to come up with a name that was original and fresh. Eric Faltraco, another good friend of mine, also an American, was my confidant, the bouncing wall, and the good-natured critic. One time I called him excitedly: "What do you think of EuroCircle?" Eric thought for a moment and said, "I like it. It just might work." And that's how EuroCircle was conceived. Of course, it took me another couple of years to actually do something about it but the rest is history...

Kaisa Kokkonen
Founder of EuroCircle

PS. Many of you have asked how come we didn't do this sooner!! The answer is simple: We all work extremely long hours in our real jobs. Accomplishing all of this has meant that some of team members have not had a personal life for a long time. We keep improving our site daily. In the meantime, please be gentle to us... we don't have the millions to spend..