10 ways to make friends abroad

Moving abroad can be lonely, extremely lonely especially when you become an expat as an adult, and have left your student years behind you. In general, making friends as an adult is harder, let alone as an expat in a foreign country where you don’t know the language, culture and codes

Here are 10 ways to start meeting people and to make new friends abroad.

1. Go to expat meet ups: search for expat groups on social media, and meetups.
2. Take language classes, that way you will meet other people in the same situation as you. Look for in person classes in your city.
3. Join an association, start volunteering. This is great way to meet locals and to get involved in the community.
4. Try new activities and sports: some clubs or the Carom app will specifically cater to expats.
5. Go to social and networking events: look up events happening in your location.
6. Small talk with your local stores and cafés, this way you’ll get to know to your local community and neighborhood.
7. Leverage social media: reach out to other expats living in your country or city. You will probably find other internationals in your city on Instagram or TikTok, reach out for tips to settle in and a quick chat. 
8. Join a coworking or co-living space. These spaces are designed to build connections and meeting like-minded people. Co-living spaces especially attract expats and digital nomads passing through the city.
9. Be open and approachable: you are stepping outside your comfort zone but it will be worth it
10. Be patient and don’t be too hard on yourself.

It will definitely be easier to start making friends among other expats before befriending locals. Leverage every opportunity you have to meet people, may it be through work, your children’s school or just your neighbors be open approachable and patient, the friendships will only be stronger.