Because sharing life with friends makes everything better!
Traveling to a new place is fun, but not if you don’t have the right company. That’s when you need to step out of your comfort zone and make new friends. It sure is a challenge to make friends, especially in a foreign land. But it’s all about meeting new people and getting new experiences. Make new friends there, and you can explore places together, attend local events, and get a glance at the local culture. No matter where you go, the relationships you form with people can have a significant impact on the quality of life you live. These friendships can positively impact your health and happiness.
Breaking the ice with a stranger in a foreign land is not as easy as it may seem, so here are a few tips to help you create new friendships as an expat:
Grab a bite together
Having a meal with someone can help you connect with them. That’s right! Food is a language that connects people from different corners of the world. When you are traveling, exploring places, approach people who seem friendly, start a conversation about food. Perhaps you met a couple of locals at a tourist location – ask them to suggest a few good places to grab a bite. Then, you can invite them to join you for a meal. Along with enjoying a favourite dinner in a foreign country, you also get to talk and share things with the locals there.
Learn the local language
Living as an expat is indeed not easy, especially when you don’t know the local language. When you don’t understand the word, you can feel lost in between translations. By taking a language course, you will be able to communicate better with the locals. Also, when you go to a class, you will be able to meet more people like you, who have probably come from different parts of the world. A club is a great way to make new friends and learn something together. Join a language course that is taught by a local person there – that way, you get to learn a lot about the culture, along with many common local phrases used there.
Bond through local festivities
Never miss out on a local festivity happening around you. It is your chance to meet and make some good friends. Bonding through dance and music is probably the easiest way to break the ice with a complete stranger. When you are all having fun and appreciating the music together, it brings out your fun side, as opposed to a formal, reserved meeting. After an exhausting day of enjoying the festivities together, there are chances you get to hang out with the local group again. You could even learn some local music and dance steps while you are at it.
You might also be interested in...
Establish a routine for yourself
Once you move to a new country, don’t put a break to your everyday habits, like hitting the gym, going for a run, or shopping for groceries. These daily habits can help you bump into some locals. You could start a conversation while running next to someone at the gym, while getting a cup of coffee in the morning, or even at the supermarket! You need to put yourself out there and look out for people who seem approachable and friendly. By pushing yourself to get to know new people, you stand the chance of making some great local friends. It might not happen immediately, but as time passes and you settle in, you will be able to get more familiar with the locals there.
Sign up for classes or a new job
Once you start working there, you will eventually get to meet more locals and expats. When you are working or learning together, you will find people who are welcoming and friendly. Of course, there would be a few who want to keep to themselves, but there will be others who share the same interests as you and want to chat with you. Greet people, and learn a few local phrases to start off with. One way to bond with people abroad is by seeking help on learning something there. It’s all about your body language, which can determine whether you can befriend the locals there or not.
These are a few ways that can help you make some good friends – even in a foreign land. Expats can meet potential friends by merely doing things they love. You may come from different countries or different cultures, but your passions will bring you together. Maintaining a consistent routine can help you create natural bonds over time. Make sure not to hold yourself back – take part in the local activities and join communities to make yourself a part of the place. You can only make friends if you don’t stop yourself from making attempts to befriend someone.
About the author
Nisha is passionate about writing and loves to share her thoughts with the world. She has written many articles on yoga, fitness, wellness, remedies, and beauty. She keeps herself updated by going through interesting blogs every day. This fuels her passion and motivates her to write appealing and engaging articles.
