Ways to Make Friends Living Abroad as an Expat
Moving abroad to a foreign country is one of the bravest actions you can take. Starting solo far away from home can be intimidating and scary. You wonder if you’ll make friends, if you’ll like it or hate it, or if you’ll be able to handle it. However, you don’t have to feel lonely in a new country.
There are many ways to make friends abroad as an expat. Most of these tips require you to go outside of your comfort zone and to get out there and look for friends.
When I moved to Colombia, I wondered if I’d feel lonely or if I’d make friends. Fortunately, I made many friends immediately by using the following tips. Here is how you can make friends living abroad as an expat.
Ways to Make Friends Living Abroad as An Expat
Table of Contents
1. Go on Local Held Tours
In most major cities, there are tours geared towards tourists. Instead, I suggest that you look for smaller local travel agencies that have local tours that are more geared towards locals. Do this by looking for small local Instagram accounts.
You’ll notice these are cheaper and more local people join them. Therefore, you will make local friends. I have done this and made some good friends in my city.
2. Join Local Meet Ups
You can join local meet-ups through the Meet-Ups page. This is a helpful way to make friends with other expats in your city. You can even start your own group that does meet-ups related to the topics you’re interested in, such as a book club or a hiking club. Whatever it may be, this is an excellent tool for meeting others.
3. Use Instagram to Make Friends
The number one way I’ve had luck making friends abroad is through Instagram. Before moving to Colombia, I befriended other travel accounts of local people. I started liking and commenting on their photos. Then I started responding to their stories. Eventually, they became my Instagram friend.
Once I moved there, I have slowly met up with them. I can say I have friends throughout the country now. So, I suggest you use Instagram as a tool to make friends while living abroad.
4. Visit Hostels
When you’re a backpacker, it’s very easy to make friends at hostels. So, why not visit them from time to time while living abroad? Many hostels have bars and co-working spaces where you can meet people.
Although most backpackers are only there for a few days, you can sometimes find people who are staying a week or more. This is perfect if you want someone to hang out with and make international friendships.
5. Join the Gym, Hobby Class, or Sports Club
One of the best ways to make friendships is to see the same people repeatedly. So, joining the gym, joining a class for a new hobby, or joining a sports team or club will be a great way to meet people interested in the same things as you.
6. Join Facebook Groups
Facebook has all types of groups. I’m sure there is a group page for expats in your city. If not, you can create your own. You can find people looking for friends and holding meet-ups and events on these group pages.
You can also utilize these pages to ask questions and to gain information from what others share on there.
7. Work in Cafes and Co-Working Spaces
In cities where the expat community is big, there are co-working spaces where foreigners go to work and take advantage of good internet. This is a great place to meet other digital nomads. Or, you can go to cafes to meet other locals and expats.
8. Volunteer Somewhere
Volunteering for something you believe in is not only rewarding, but it also gains you friends with the same values. If you want to volunteer in something ethical, you can go to Grassroots and look for an opportunity to help the local community while also meeting others in your city.
9. Talk to Random People
I know most of us grew up with our parents teaching us not to talk to strangers, but really, the best thing you can do while living abroad is to talk to strangers. If you’re in line at the grocery store, strike up a conversation with the person behind you. At the gym, start talking to the person you see often. If you’re at a cafe, look around and see who you can talk to. It can even be the workers there.
10. Join Language Meet-Ups
In some cities, there are language meet-ups where local people and expats gather to learn the language from each other. This is beneficial to locals because they can learn English (or different languages) and beneficial to you because you can learn the local language. Language meet-ups are a great way to make friends and learn at the same time.
11. Say Yes to Invitations
If you meet someone in your city and they invite you to coffee or an event, say yes! Now is the time to let go of those introverted feelings and get outside your comfort zone. Making friends is essential in a new city, and if you keep avoiding going out with someone, you will never make friends. So, start saying yes to everyone! Ok, not everyone, but you know, at least to those who give you a good vibe.
12. Check Facebook Events
If you log on to Facebook, you can find events happening in the city you are in. Whether it be a concert or a volunteer opportunity, this is a great chance to meet people interested in the same things as you.
13. Contact Friends of Friends
If by any chance you’ve met someone on the road who’s from this city you moved to but doesn’t live there anymore, ask them if they can connect you with someone they know from the city. This is probably one of the most random things to do, but I assure you it works.
Once, I was in Cartagena by myself, and my hostel didn’t have many people around (pandemic times). I wasn’t able to make friends immediately. So, I messaged a Colombian friend. He contacted a friend of his. That friend told him about a friend she had in the city who could show me around. So my friend gave me his friend’s friend’s number. Make sense!?
I contacted the guy, and he showed me all around the city out of kindness. It was super strange to contact someone sent to me by a third party, but hey, I made a new friend. Don’t be scared to do the same.
14. Follow Up With People
On that note, if you’ve met people abroad from a particular city and now you’re moving to their hometown, contact them.
When I moved to Colombia, I reached out to people I had met while traveling through Europe two years before. Now, they’re my local friends, and I’ve even met their families. So please don’t be embarrassed to contact them.
15. Join a Local Church
If you practice your faith, one of the easiest and fastest ways to make friends is to join a local church. If you know the language, this will be especially helpful because you will have a handful of churches to choose from.
However, if you don’t know the local language, do a Facebook, Instagram, and Google Search to find a church service held in your language or in English. Once you find the right fit, join their classes and volunteer.
Pack My Favorite Items
Ways to Make Friends Living Abroad
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Ways to Make Friends Living Abroad
