How to Make Friends When Moving Abroad Alone

Moving abroad is exciting, challenging, and life changing. Immersing yourself in a new country opens your eyes to new cultures, languages, and experiences you wouldn’t normally have if you stayed within your home country (or your comfort zone).

But if you are moving abroad solo, this exciting time can quickly turn into a frustrating, scary, and lonely one, too. You miss the comfort and familiarity of home, as well as your friends and family. If you are living in a country where you don’t speak the language, this can feel even more isolating. Moving to a new country with a partner gives you an automatic companion and it often feels easier to venture out with a buddy. But alone?

Below are 4 easy ways to make friends when moving abroad alone.

How to Make Friends When Moving Abroad Alone

Join Online Social Groups

Joining an online group is an excellent way to make friends in your new country. Typically, the already established expat community will have some online way of keeping in touch with each other. As fellow foreigners, the people in these groups will understand the highs, lows, and confusions you may experience when living abroad. It is important to connect with these people as they will be able to help you navigate any settling-in processes you have neglected.

Online social groups are also a great way to connect with locals. If you have moved somewhere where language is a barrier, this will help you learn the language and you can easily sift through social events you’d like to join.

A lot of foreign cities have expat- and/or country-specific online communities. This includes gatherings such as American groups, Indian groups, Brazilian, etc. Depending on where you relocate, it is possible to find frequent in-person events, online networking forums, and even business networking opportunities.

Top online communities to join:*

• Girls Gone International
• CouchSurfing
• MeetUp
• You should also check local Facebook groups in your new area. Usually these will be listed as City Name + Expats or City Name + International Community. (In my experience, these groups will have both local and international members.)

Say Yes!

Building up a social life can feel similar to building muscles: you have to exercise it regularly until the movements get easier and easier.

If you have moved abroad solo, a good way to “exercise” your social life is by saying ‘yes’ to every social engagement. This is an especially good practice during your first few months. By saying ‘yes,’ you may meet people you wouldn’t have had the chance to before, and you may try new experiences that will help shape your new life abroad.

Take a Class

From primary school or university, school is where many of us make lifelong friends. A class setting not only guarantees regular interaction, but it is easy to bond when you have a shared interest. Taking a class while living abroad is the same.

Just like with joining online social groups, a class allows you to meet people who share your same interests. You will be able to learn and study together, and the regular meets may help build a friendship slowly rather than a rush to connect with someone at a networking event. The class that you take is up to you, but some good options are language courses, art workshops, or exercise classes. It is also worth looking into one-time courses such as cooking demonstrations. You can look for classes through AirBnB Experiences, CouchSurfer, Girls Gone International, a local business bureau, or a local university.

Talk to Everyone

You never know when or where you will make friends. It could at a local cafe, sitting on the beach, or talking with your Uber driver. If you want to meet people, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. Ask them questions. Be curious. If they’re from the area, ask for recommendations of what to do or see. Be weary of getting too personal as this can be rude in certain cultures.

When talking to new people, be sure to tell people that you are new in town. Even if the person who you are talking to has never lived abroad before, they will understand the natural human need for community. Ask what they like about the area. Even if you do not leave the interaction having made a new friend, you will at least have some useful advice to carry you through your new life abroad.

Are you an expat living abroad and have another way to make friends in your new home? Let me know in the comments!

*InterNations was not listed due to the controversy they are having with payment plans.