A Definitive Guide to Making Friends Abroad

Posted Moving Abroad / May 11, 2018
Kate Holland

A true grunge and rock music fan born in Seattle, Kate has moved across the country and started writing about her experience.

Moving overseas is hard in itself, from the moment you decide to move to the execution of the whole process. And after you settle, there’s a lot of unknowns to get used to and many things to take in. Nonetheless, although you may feel like an outsider, making friends abroad is something to look forward to.

Going through relocation is never easy. You have to gather all the documents needed to travel overseas and to decide what to pack. But when the whole tiresome process is over, maybe you’ll be living your dreamed life in one of the best cities to live in Europe. Nevertheless, it’s not easy being a stranger. Although you might be living in one of the friendliest countries in the world, it’s hard to meet people from other country and consider yourself their friend, especially as an adult. But, if you can take that initial step and become close with others after the overseas shipping company has moved both you and your belongings to another part of the world, your life there can become one of the most extraordinary experiences ever.

Guaranteed prices for International Moving. No hidden fees or surprises! GET A QUOTE

Why Is It Essential for Our Circle of Close People to Grow?

While the Corona pandemic has made us cautious in many ways, and travel internationally during covid-19 was no easy thing to pull off, it has somewhat changed the social interaction and the way we view it. Of course, our relocation has been made easy with an international moving company, although we had a lot of hard work on our hands. We had to learn how to pack fragile items and cope with relocation stress during the whole ordeal, but now you’ve arrived after relocating across the world. If you’ve decided to move to Bangkok, you’re probably in for some culture shock. But, being acquainted with new people will help you overcome it and avoid loneliness.

There’s a High Number of Expats Across the World

You’ve moved to another country, after you took a leap of faith as far away as you could, and moved to Turkey. It’s only natural that you don’t feel like it’s your home right away. But, you are not alone in this. There are over 65 million expats worldwide, while the number is expected to grow even more. After you’ve settled, one of the most important things is to keep in touch with friends, but it’s also crucial to expand the number of your contacts as well as companions. Joining the right expat communities may give you the jump-start you need. You can hear a first-hand experience of finding companions in the following video.

Where to Start With Making Friends Abroad? Welcome Your Neighbors

International moving is both a robust and complex process that involves a lot of different things. From investing in packing service for your belongings to the vehicle shipping overseas for transporting your car, there’s a lot to take care of. But, after the whole ordeal is done, your life in another country begins. Where’s the better place to start than in your neighborhood? Adjusting to a new country by having a housewarming or perhaps a BBQ party is the right way to go, and your neighbors would probably love to come.

Joining a Loved One May Make Things a Bit Easier

Some of us may hire an overseas moving company to relocate to another country for love. You may have packed up your household and relocated with kids aiming for one of the best places to live in Canada, where you’ll join your spouse. In these situations, finding a circle of close companions may be a bit easier. Your significant other probably already has a formed circle of acquaintances and friends to add to your own.

Your Colleagues May Be Your Best Option for Finding People to Go Out With

Many people relocate because of better work positions and even decide to send their stuff through overseas shipping to be working in Europe as an American. After you’ve managed to get a job in Europe, you’ve probably gathered all of your stuff and moved abroad. While you’re getting accustomed to the work environment, one of the relocation questions to ask the employer is which colleagues you can reach out to, to overcome difficulties more quickly. They will surely be happy to help you, but most of all, your co-workers can be an excellent companionship to grab a drink with. After all, you have many things in common and can lead a relaxed conversation.

How to Make Friends Abroad by Expanding Your Hobbies

Although being an expat is not easy, finding jobs for Americans in Europe may lead you to an unforgettable adventure and invaluable experience. Planning to live overseas is not only about paying for storage service and also shipping a car overseas. It’s about making the place where you are going to be living your own. It means you should indulge in your hobbies, and perhaps even find some new ones. It’s a great way to meet new people with whom you share many things in common.

Explore Social Networks to Your Advantage

Your relocating internationally checklist should contain the things you need to take with you, and the relocation checklist for your future home should list all the stuff you should acquire and buy. But when it comes to meeting others, particular networks should be a must-have. Different sites and apps can offer you a window of opportunity for finding companions after you’ve moved to Ireland or any other place in the world.

Facebook Is a Great Way to Join a Community

The internet and social networks, such as Facebook or Instagram, are not only good for finding the best vegan cities or getting recommendations for things to do in Ottawa. The modern age has made it easier for us to socialize and find acquaintances, which can turn to close companions, even in the places we feel there’s no one to talk to. Most of us are already accustomed to how Facebook groups function, and it will be as easy as pie to join the local ones and start socializing.

Several Apps Can Connect You to a Future Friend

While many mobile apps can help you search for the most excellent places to retire in Europe, they can also help you join groups with topics that may interest you. Apps like Meet-up are a perfect solution for this. You can scroll through different subjects and meet others interested in the same things. It will help you find a million things to do in Calgary after you chose it as your future location based on its cost of living or in any other place.

How Do I Make Friends Abroad While Blending In? Sign up for a Language Class

Deciding to relocate to Italy or perhaps to head out and relocate to Spain will require more adjustment. Breaking the language barrier might seem like a hard thing to do, but by joining a language school and acquiring different tips for learning a new language, you can overcome it. It will also give you a perfect opportunity to be among others, where you can become closer by helping each other and learning together.

Is It Hard to Make Friends Studying Abroad?

Those who have relocated to Switzerland to study or perhaps moved to Germany and started learning a language will have blending in easier. If you are a part of a study group sent overseas and have traveled together, you’ll have someone to hang out with. But, even if you were the only one sent out to travel to a host college, and you’re relocating to Canada because of it, you shouldn’t only consider the cost of living there. You should look forward to fresh experiences and acquaintances, which is the perfect opportunity to thrive and explore.

Engage In Various Activities

Perhaps your decision to relocate to Montreal was based on searching for the most fantastic places to live abroad with family. And right after you’ve chosen your future place out of the best neighborhoods in Montreal and settled, you should engage in different social activities. Or perhaps even sports. Meeting people is one of the reasons why sports clubs are widely popular, and there’s a strong sense of camaraderie in the team you’re in. If you’ve relocated to London, you can both explore the city and grab a meal with your teammates.

Or Perhaps Volunteering Is More Close to Your Heart

You’ve relocated to the best European country to live in. Although you’ve dreamed about moving to the Bahamas at some point in your life, you’ve decided that moving to Finland is more fulfilling. But, after you’ve settled there, and you still don’t know anyone, it shouldn’t stop you from performing various activities you enjoy on your own. Perhaps you have always enjoyed helping at animal shelters or any other volunteering work. You can also continue with those kinds of activities after relocating to France or any other country. It’s one of the great opportunities to spend some time with those who share similar views and values.

From Book Clubs to the Gym, the Possibilities Are Endless

No matter if you’re a bookworm that enjoys the smell of antique bookshops and sitting in the sun reading, or you’re a lover of physical activities, you can make companions to your liking wherever you go. From those who moved to New Zealand to those who decided that moving to Scotland will fulfill their dreams, book clubs and gyms are to be found at every corner. It will be pretty easy to engage in conversations with like-minded individuals visiting these places.

Bar Hopping Is Never Out of the Picture

Many people enjoy the rich nightlife, and if they’ve decided to move to Madrid, they can be part of its vibrant scene and thus meet everyone that feels the same. Many expats enjoy their move to Greece and its Mediterranean vibe or relocation to the Netherlands with bars and restaurants to their liking at every corner. Various clubs, where you can have a great time, await at every corner, and you can enjoy different cuisine and drinks and engage in social interactions.

Think About Getting a Dog

A common trait for pet owners, especially those who own dogs, is that they are friendly and talkative and love to share everything about their furry companions. It’s easy to engage in conversation with them, whether you’ve moved to Sweden or decided to relocate to Portugal. But, owning a dog is beneficial in many ways:

  • A dog is a furry companion that gives you unconditional love, and that’s the first step in beating loneliness.
  • Taking care of a pet, especially a dog, will give you a sense of great accomplishment. Training it, and taking good care of its needs is satisfactory and it will be time well spent.
  • You won’t have to go for walks alone anymore, because you’ll have your pet’s companionship. It’s an excellent chance for exercise, too.
  • Meeting others that love animals will be reasonably straightforward because everyone tends to start a conversation over how cute the dog is.
  • Going to dog-friendly restaurants will open up fresh opportunities for socializing, too.

A dog well-cared for will be a devoted friend and may help you overcome any homesickness you’re feeling, especially if you have crossed half the world away and moved to Seoul.

In the End, Try to Say Yes to Any Social Invitation

You’ve gathered your strength and possessions and moved to Vancouver because you’ve managed to land a job, so you’ll be working there. Or was it your heart’s wish, and perhaps you think that the cost of living in Vancouver is suitable for your budget? But to be able to enjoy living in Vancouver to the fullest, you should engage in social meetings and activities and form a circle of close mates. Many Vancouver neighborhoods have their charm, and if you’ve chosen wisely, your next closest friend might be located where you’ve decided to live. So try not to refuse any offer of engaging in different situations, and you’ll be able to form friendships in an instant, even if you are in far away UAE because you’ve moved to Dubai.

Get a Quote

    Download Moving Abroad Checklist
    Get a Free Estimate 855-443-4200