Toastmasters Across Borders: Finding Community While Travelling
How visiting Toastmasters clubs abroad creates instant connection and community
For years, I had been intrigued by stories of Toastmasters who visited clubs in other countries and instantly felt at home. One story in particular stayed with me. A dear friend, Distinguished Toastmaster Geetha N, often spoke about how finding a Toastmasters club whenever she moved for work gave her something invaluable: an instant community. A familiar room. Familiar rhythms. Familiar encouragement. Her stories sparked my curiosity about visiting Toastmasters clubs while travelling and whether the experience would feel the same for me on the other side of the world.
Therefore, when life presented an opportunity for me to return to Australia and visit New Zealand recently, I decided it was time to experience this for myself. Visiting Toastmasters clubs while travelling always intrigued me. What did I have to lose?
The Joy of Visiting Toastmasters Clubs While Travelling
My first stop was Healesville Toastmasters Club in Healesville, NSW, Australia. Walking into the meeting felt unsurprisingly familiar. It was almost like connecting with extended family, though this time with unmistakable Aussie accents. The meeting structure was recognizable for any Toastmaster: prepared speeches, Table Topics, thoughtful evaluations, accompanied by a view surprises. It was contest season Down Under
Yet what stood out most was the connection beyond the meeting itself. Evening meetings naturally invite members to linger a little longer. An opportunity to share stories, exchange ideas, and strengthen friendships. That social time reminded me of something many Toastmasters know but sometimes overlook: the most powerful relationships we can build.
The evening also included a delightful learning moment. One of the club’s newer members delivered a presentation about “The Gift of the GAB.” At first, many of us thought we knew what that meant—perhaps the gift of conversation or storytelling. Instead, we were introduced to Australia’s Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world. It was a classic Toastmasters experience: a speaker sharing knowledge, surprising the audience, and leaving us all a little more curious about the world.
Different Countries, Familiar Connections
Not long afterward, my travels took me across the Tasman Sea to Wadestown Toastmasters Club in Wellington, New Zealand. Once again, the experience reinforced something special about the Toastmasters global community.
Different city. Different country. Different accents. Yet the moment the meeting began, the environment felt remarkably familiar. Members welcomed me not simply as a guest, but as a fellow Toastmaster. When the opportunity came to participate in Table Topics, I gladly stepped forward. Any lingering feeling of being a tourist quickly disappeared.
That is the quiet magic of visiting Toastmasters clubs abroad. While each club reflects the culture and personality of its members, the core values remain constant. Encouragement. Respectful listening. Constructive feedback. And the shared courage to stand up and speak.
Experiencing Toastmasters international clubs firsthand reinforced something I had long believed: Toastmasters is more than a program for learning public speaking. It is a worldwide network of people committed to growth, leadership, and connection.
Wherever your travels take you, there is likely a Toastmasters club nearby. If you have the opportunity, take the step I finally did. Look up a meeting. Walk through the door. Volunteer for Table Topics.
You may arrive as a visitor—but chances are, you’ll leave feeling like family.
Marcy Field, DTM
Club Extension Committee Co-Chair