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. Being far from your usual circles, finding your tribe abroad, is building your support system.
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: run clubs, social clubs or meet-up apps like Carom and Timeleft will usually attract a lot of expats and internationals looking to meet new people.
- Attend social and networking events: look up events happening in your location, Eventbrite is good place to start.
- Communities and networking events can be a good place to start connecting with people from you industry.
Expat tip: Start by identifying your passions, then work towards meeting people through those, you’ll immediately have a shared interest to bond around.
Learn the Language, A Key Step to Make Friends Abroad
Learning the local language will not only help you to get around, but it will help gain the trust of locals who are deemed to be more open if they see you are trying to learn their language 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 or conversation exchange groups.
- Small talk with your local stores and cafés, this way you’ll get to know to your local community and neighborhood. They are more likely to let you know when events take place and perhaps even introduce you to some of their customers and friends.
- 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: by switching your mindset, being curious and open to conversations, trying new things, asking questions you will attract the right people and facilitate new encounters.
- 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.
Putting yourself out there is uncomfortable but so rewarding once you start making those new connections.
It will definitely be easier to start making friends among other expats before befriending locals, but don’t despair. 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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