9 Ways tow to Make Friends Abroad as an Expat
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Are you a digital nomad or an international student? Maybe you moved abroad to retire or to relocate with your family? No matter what your situation is, if you have recently moved to a new country or are planning to and are wondering how to make friends, you are at the right place. I know making friends in a new place can be intimidating, and finding people to hang out with it’s not always easy.
Since I moved to Barcelona back in 2018, I went from knowing no one to building fantastic friendships. Today, I took a trip down memory lane to compile some of the ways I have made friends abroad. Here they are.
Working from a co-working space
First, if you are a digital nomad or working remotely, one of the first things I would suggest is to join a co-working space. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who are also living and/or working in your new city and to get into a productive work routine!
2. Join Facebook groups
Joining Facebook groups in a new country is another great way to connect with like-minded people and get insider tips. In my case, I joined the Black woman in Barcelona Facebook group, and also created my own to share tips about Afro hairdressers in Barcelona. Those groups have helped me make lots of new friends, and I see new members joining all the time, so it is a great way to update your network.
3. Sign up in Meetup
Signing up to Meet Up is also a great way to meet people with similar interests. I’ve attended a few content marketing meetups and have made some great connections. You can also create your own events around a topic you love and promote on social media,
4. Join local sports centers
If you are more of a sporty type, I would recommend joining your local sports center as opposed to big gyms. There you have a mix of people from families, elderly people, etc and they tend to be locals. By nature, in local sports centers, everyone ends up knowing each other because it's filled with people from the neighborhood. So if you are regularly going to class will end up getting to know people, and even potentially making friends. I personally go once a week and I have met a lot of people that way.
5. Work for a local company (in person)
I know what you are going to say, working in person is something of the past. However, if you have the opportunity to work in person, it´s a great way to meet people. I know nowadays it’s all about remote working, but a lot of companies offer hybrid opportunities which can offer you the perfect balance to be on your own and meet people. I made a lot of my very good friends through work, and I really think it helped me integrate faster in Barcelona.
6. Volunteer
Volunteering is an awesome way to meet people and do good at the same time. Join a charity or cause in your local area and give your time over the weekend. It´s a great way to do something good and make friends.
7. Solo travel
If you have been exploring this blog you know I am a big advocate of solo traveling. Solo travel is a great way to meet new people. Whenever you have a few days off to explore different regions in your new country of adoption. Staying in hostels can be a great way to meet new people from all around the world. When I did my first solo travel in the South of Spain or did the Camino de Santiago I met so many incredible people that way. Being alone really makes me more inclined to approach people, and socialize.
8. Start a blog
This one might be a bit of a stretch but it worked out for me. When I first moved to Barcelona, I couldn’t find a lot of content from other Black women so I decided to start my blog to document my own experience. Didn’t think much of it. At the time, I didn’t know much about blogging but still gave it a try. A few months after setting up the blog, a few other women in similar situations started reaching out to me on social media. We ended up meeting up in Barcelona and to date, we still spend a lot of time together.
9. Foster relationships
And don't forget to foster relationships. Create Whatsapp or Telegram groups and keep in touch. Try to meet for a coffee every once in a while just to catch up.
Making friends in a new country can be daunting, but it’s absolutely possible. All it takes is a little bit of effort and a lot of patience. Good luck!
