TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
How to Make Friends Abroad While Traveling
How to Make Friends While Living Abroad
As someone who has been an expat four times in four different countries over the last few years, I am always struggling to make friends in a new city. It is hard enough to step outside your comfort zone and move to a completely new country solo, let alone try to attempt to make new friends, especially in a country where English is not widely spoken.
There is a lot of loneliness that comes with not knowing anyone and this can really impact your experience living in a new country in a negative way.
Meet other expats and locals through Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing was my SAVIOR when I was living in Ukraine, mostly because I knew that everyone could speak English and everyone also had the same common mindset like me. Couchsurfing is an app used specifically for travelers to connect locals and tourists/expats together. Couchsurfing has two options within its app: hosting/staying and meetups/events.
I first used couch surfing three years ago and have stayed with numerous hosts all over the world, some who I still connect to and talk to today. It truly provides a unique experience to stay with a local and helps you see a new country/city in a non touristy way. For everyone who does not feel comfortable staying/hosting people, there is also a meetup feature that is great for making connections and friends.
There are weekly events, one-time events, and last-minute meetups that any couch surfing member can create themself. Depending on your location, there might be weekly game nights, house parties, bar meetups, etc.Couchsurfers tend to be very open minded and welcoming, as they are usually very intro international traveling and living abroad.
If you live in a country where not too many people speak English, you can count on Couchsurfing to be your outlet and community. Unfortunately, ever since Covid started, is it no longer a free app to sign up for. However, the yearly or monthly fee is very affordable (less than $15 for a yearly membership or about $2 a month).
Sign up for Internations & Social Events
Internation’s is a huge community that is made specifically for expats living abroad. They operate in more than 400 cities abroad the world so if you are living in a major/big city, they most likely will have events near you.
All you have to do is create an account and decide whether you want the free version of the site or the paid version, which is also pretty affordable and may be worth the cost if it can lead you to some memorable social outings and give you the chance to make new friends.
The good thing about a group like Internations is that everyone apart of the community is an expat living abroad, so you already have something in common and something you can bond over with others in your city.
And social events are also a good way to meet new people. It will help you come out of your comfort zone and create a group of friends locally and get an opportunity to learn the local language.
Attend events using the Meetup App
The Meetup App is an app that I continuously use every week in Dubai and is one that I have had the most success with. I have met some of my bestest friends after going to an event through this app and I highly recommend it as it truly has something for everyone!
After creating a free account, you can set your location and join groups in your area for a variety of activities such as book clubs, language exchanges, hiking groups, travel groups, and many more. The options on the Meetup App are endless and cater to many. After joining a group (or multiple), the group will post when there are events happening and all the details associated with the specific event such as cost (if any), meetup location, timings, and other details.
Sometimes events must be paid for and sometimes they are free. I use the meetup app to go on all different hikes every weekend within the UAE and the best part about many groups I have joined is that they set up a carpool sheet for the hikes so even if you do not drive, you still have the opportunity to attend the activity.
Check Facebook groups for your city
There are sometimes many Facebook groups made for your specific city where you can find lots of people to meetup with. If you are looking to find and bond with people from your home country, try searching on social network like Facebook for an expat group with your nationality in the city you are living in.
For example, in Dubai, I am a part of the “Americans in the UAE” Facebook group, which is solely for Americans living in the UAE. This group is a perfect outlet if you want to meet people from your home country or celebrate country specific holidays such as “Thanksgiving” or “Fourth of July”, in my case.
Another Facebook group that is big for women specifically and operates in many cities around the world is “GGI” also known as “Girls Gone International” as well as “The Solo Female Traveler Network Meetup”. Both websites are great resources for women. You can make a post on these groups and try to form hangouts or find others in your situation. For the GGI Facebook group, there are distinct groups for specific cities such as GGI Dubai or GGI London.
Do not be afraid to try one of these methods or all these methods listed above to make friends in a new country! Also remember that you are not alone and there are many other expats around the world in the same position as you. Making good friends takes time and try not to compare your new life with your old life back in your home country.
I hope you had changed your mind after reading this blog and i would recommend you to checkout my blog on Travel Essentials you need for every trip
And Checkout Student travel to explore more topics like this
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