We would like to provide a case study, that of former Scientific Director Dr Angela Melville, to illustrate the way in which the Onati Community fosters global connections. Dr Melville moved from Manchester in the UK to take up the post at the IISL for two years. During that period, she acquired a basic understanding of Basque language, joined several Basque social groups including a cuadrilla, and made numerous friends. She returns regularly as a workshop participant, teacher, but also to see friends. After finishing her post at the IISL, she moved to Adelaide in Australia, where she has made several new Basque friends (eg the son of one of the members of the local walking group moved to Adelaide with his wife for work). She has made connections with Basque cultural organisations in Australia, and through social media, has extended her friendships and networks with Basque people in the Basque country but also across Australia. Many of her Australian and English friends have also travelled to the Basque country for reasons other than work. For instance, she helped organise the honeymoon of a young couple who own a local restaurant in Adelaide and assisted them to make connections with several Basque food producers. The couple have recently opened a new bar which serves pinchos including Basque anchovies and Basque cheese, and have funded several of their staff to the Basque country for culinary training.
