How to find friends in a new country

How to find friends in a new country

If you are just moving to a new country, it can be difficult to meet new people. We offer instructions on how to find friends in a new country.

A recurring question has been recurring: How do I get to know people at all? This is particularly important if you have just moved to a new country.

We have examined the extensive Expat insider survey of internation that was based on data that was collected by over 14,000 of its 1.9 million members around the world, and a guide, as can be found in a new country.

1. Don't be afraid of the familiar

Many expats and travelers like to brag about how they "really got under the skin" or "immerse themselves in local culture". There seems to be a certain amount of honor to cancel the bonds at home.

In fact, only 16 % of the expats state that they mainly have locals than friends. Another 34 % state that they mainly have expat fans, with this number increasing the younger the expat.

The remaining 50 % say that they have a mixture of expats and local friends, with older expats (51 years and older) generally have more local friends.

It is not a shame to look for familiarity on your arrival. It does not make her dull, ignorant or isolated to want friends in a similar situation or with a similar background. If time flies and you get used to it, you can try more to integrate into local culture.

A good tip is to set a time limit. The Spanish expat Victor told us: "When I arrived in London for the first time, I gave myself a maximum of three months to get used to and spend time with other Spanish expats. Because I set this time, I tried to find more friends and integrate more."

2. Become socially

Expat Insider tells us that the majority of newcomers will find friends at work in a new country, but there are many other channels to explore.

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Our readers recommend two main channels:

go online: There are hundreds of location-related expat groups on Facebook and LinkedIn as well as curated lists of people who can follow on Twitter. In addition, there are numerous online forums and organizations that take care of newcomers and you can find friends in a new country.

The internal internal members mentioned and to be included free of charge has the largest global membership with 1.9 million members in 390 cities and organizes over 4,000 events all year round. Popular alternatives are expatfinder.com and meetup.com.

It is also worth following local expat bloggers that can be a great source of information.

Take part in a course or join a sports team: "It's a bit like a cliché, but it works," says Tomás, a Frenchman who now lives in Bogotá. "When I arrived, I hardly spoke Spanish, but that didn't bother me when I played with local teams. If you want to meet like -minded people who share similar hobbies and interests, there is no easier way."

3. Think differently

It is worth expanding your idea of ​​what friends should be. Do not deal with just finding like -minded people.

friends do not have to be the same or have a similar background or even speak the same language. If you try, you can usually find a common basis with everyone.

4. Don't be afraid of rejection

I suspect that if you have decided to pack your things and break into a new country, then you are not exactly a shrinking violet. However, it will always be a challenge to settle in a new environment and maybe start a new job, so you have to keep your expectations in check.

Not everyone will be friendly or inviting. That's good. Not everyone was your friend at home. It's okay to meet someone every now and then to watch football or drink coffee; You don't have to be the best friends.

5. Learn the language

attending a language course is one of the simplest ways to find friends in a new country. It enables you to meet other expats in a similar situation and to interact more closely with locals. It's a win-win situation.

If you already speak the national language of your new country, you could try to learn the second language (if available) and really impress the locals. In addition to participation in classes or courses, language exchange options are often available that can offer a more personal and mutual learning experience.

6. Follow the information

Say yes to the after -work drinks or to the neighbor's coffee offer. When a contact says that he knows someone in their new city that they could like, follow him and see where he leads.

There may be opportunities for volunteer work or community events in which you can take part. If you are a parent, you may be invited to school events or other children's parties. Whatever it is, follow these traces and see where you are going.

Last but not least, this helps you to get to know your new environment and explore your new city.

7. Talk to strangers

so you may not start a conversation with the naked guy who ransacks your trash cans, but you should be ready to chat with people you meet on the go.

When I'm at home, I have my own circle of friends and a support system, so I usually just put my iPhone in or read the newspaper when I'm on the subway or are in a café alone.

on the way or in another country I tend to look up, to draw people's eyes on me and to be more open and accessible. Mix in social events and meetings among as many people as possible and apply some basic tricks to get into conversation.

8. Enjoy your own society

I feel comfortable in my own society and can spend hours when not days to hike through a new city or city, watch people or read my book. Every year I spend weeks outside in the wilderness, only with myself as a society.

This attitude is invaluable when settling into a new country. I do not say that they have to excommunicate themselves and go to the mountains to "find themselves" - only that it is so much easier for them to settle in when they feel comfortable when they are alone.

9. Don't be hard to yourself

It is important to take a lot of time. Things usually don't happen overnight and can take longer than you expect. Driving into a new city or starting a new job can be discouraging enough; Leaving your friends and family will probably be one of the most difficult things you will ever do, so be not too hard to yourself.

Not everyone can be this person: this confident and popular extrovert who makes everything look so effortless.

10. Keep your old friends nearby

Even if they are thousands of kilometers away on the other side of the earth, a good friend will always be there for you. A chat on Facebook or a short call to Skype can work miracles and after a lonely day or a frustrating journey home after struggle with the ticket machine at the train station.

It is not easy to always stay in touch - you are probably in different time zones and schedules - but good friendships are precious, so you can maintain them as best you can.

Further articles on moving abroad can be found in our remote work area: ► The most dangerous countries in the world ► Countries with the best health care in the world ► The worst countries in the world to drive ► The most peaceful countries in the world ► The world's poorest countries-rank ► The happiest countries in the world ► The most powerful pass in the world ► countries with the fastest internet in the world ► The most expensive countries in the world ► The most expensive cities for expats ► The most democratic countries in the world

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