Moving abroad is exciting, but one of the biggest challenges is making friends as an expat. Many newcomers struggle with loneliness, so learning how to make friends as an expat quickly is key to building a happy life overseas.
Here are 10 ways to start meeting people and to make new friends abroad.
Join Local Clubs and Groups to Make Friends as an Expat
- Go to expat meet ups: search for expat groups on social media, and meetups.
- Join an association, start volunteering. This is great way to meet locals and to get involved in the community.
- Try new activities and sports: some clubs or the Carom app will specifically cater to expats.
- Go to social and networking events: look up events happening in your location.
Learn the Language – A Key Step in How to Make Friends as an Expat
- Take language classes, that way you will meet other people in the same situation as you. Look for in person classes in your city.
- Small talk with your local stores and cafés, this way you’ll get to know to your local community and neighborhood.
- 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.
- 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.
Your mindset can go a long way to meet people
- Be open and approachable: you are stepping outside your comfort zone but it will be worth it
- Be patient with yourself and remember that growth takes time. Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned—everyone faces setbacks, and it’s all part of the learning process. Keep moving forward at your own pace.
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.
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