How to Make Friends While Studying Abroad

Making friends comes easier to some than it does to others. Many of us find making friends intimidating – wherever we are in the world. When you’re studying abroad in a new country and an unfamiliar environment, the process can seem even more difficult.

Whether you’re an excitable extrovert or a laid-back introvert wondering how to make friends abroad, look no further! Read on to find out the best ways to make friends while studying abroad.

While solo travel can be a powerful experience, new friends can make our study abroad journey even more impactful. Aside from spending time in the company of amazing people, here are some of the benefits of making friends while studying abroad:

• Share your study abroad experience with others: Making friends abroad allows you to share incredible memories with other people. Whether hiking in Nepal or posing in front of the leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, you can reminisce and cherish these memories and inside jokes with friends forever.
• Increased feelings of community: Each friend you make is an opportunity to become more integrated in your overseas community. With your new group of friends, you’ll be busy attending events, going on excursions, and spending quality time together, making you feel like you belong in this new country.
• Reduce homesickness: Feelings of belonging and community in your new country can also reduce homesickness. When integrated into a community, you’ll focus more on the positives of your host country rather than what you’re missing at home. Making friends will also combat social isolation which can make homesickness worse.
• Create a second home abroad: Studying abroad and making local friends can help you establish a second home abroad. You’ll always have a familiar place to come back to where you feel comfortable.
• Create a network of friends across the globe: As an international student, you’re likely to make friends from across the globe. Not only does this form in-country networks, but it also establishes international connections. You can even visit your friends in their home countries in the future!

One of the easiest ways to make friends while studying abroad is to connect with your classmates. You’ll inevitably share interests with other students in your major classes or electives making it easier to start up conversations. You essentially have a built-in icebreaker to ask others about their interests, goals, backgrounds, and future plans, and can introduce yourself with more confidence in this shared environment.

Here are other ideas where you can connect with your classmates:

• Join academic clubs and interest groups: Whether you’re an English major or an architect, specific majors will often have a society or club that organizes social events and outings.
• Plan group activities after class: If you feel comfortable, make an announcement at the end of class inviting everyone for a drink or coffee. Unless they have other plans or additional classes, many of your classmates will be happy to join a spontaneous hang out.
• Study together: Inevitably, you’ll have deadlines and assessments to plan for when studying abroad. While this can be tedious, it’s also an opportunity to invite others to study with you on campus (and improve your grades!).

While you’ll have shared interests with classmates, don’t be afraid to go beyond and make friends with other university students or locals. We tend to flock to people who look like us, speak like us, and act like us because those people generally share our habits, however, this can be counterintuitive and even discriminatory.

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket by cliquing off with “similar” people. Some friendships are often formed out of convenience and comforting familiarity, but open-mindedness will lead to far more genuine and sustainable friendships.

Keeping an open mind will help you form even more friendships with people you might have otherwise dismissed – and it’ll help you grow as a person. You won’t get on with everyone – even if they share the same interests – and just because you study the same subject doesn’t mean that you’ll be best friends.

Read more: 8 Reasons to Study Abroad Without Your Friends

A lot of third-party study abroad program providers hold events like dinners, get-togethers, and pub crawls for students to mingle. Take advantage of these opportunities! They’re the easiest way to get to know your peers because it’s highly likely that other students are there for the same reason you are: to make new friends.

• Join a society: Social clubs – whether soccer, debates, or a Harry Potter fan club – are common on and off college campuses. Joining a social club can help you establish friendships with people who are certain to have similar interests. These clubs host activities that can spark conversation, whether you’re discussing novels, playing team sports, and so on. This can alleviate pressure from trying to “break the ice.”
• Take cultural classes: You can also take part in cultural classes offered by your study abroad program or through local businesses in your destination. If you like to cook, dance, or paint, this is a great opportunity to not only gain new skills but also to meet people interested in cultural immersion.
• Learn a language: It takes two to tango, and it takes more than one person to communicate. Not only will learning a language open doors to making friends with locals, but language learning activities can facilitate friendships through dialogue and role-play. Some tutors offer cultural and language exchange services where you can learn a language in an informal environment over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
• Create a social club: If your study abroad program is lacking in a Dungeons & Dragons group or a Nicholas Cage Appreciation Society (yes, that exists), why not create your own? No matter how unique or niche some of your interests are, there are likely to be other students who share these passions.

While many of us love scrolling on TikTok or watching reruns of Friends, studying abroad is a rare opportunity. While you don’t have to stare at the wall, putting your phone down from time to time can make you more approachable.

During the break in your lecture, instead of looking straight down and online shopping, consider asking the person next to you their thoughts on the topic. Instead of staying in and watching movies by yourself, consider saying “yes” to invites and offers from other people!

However, that’s not to say that you can’t enjoy quality “me” time. I’m guilty of turning down invitations and staying in to watch Netflix while abroad. Friendship is a two-way street, so don’t be afraid to set boundaries with some people. Making friends abroad isn’t about sacrifice, but a healthy compromise between your own company and spending time with others.

On one hand, reducing screen time will encourage you to venture outside and meet others. On the other, you can use social media platforms to connect with people, find local events, and more.

It’s important to put yourself out there, and it’s entirely OK to feel vulnerable! Locations will have social media groups dedicated to expats, international students, and others looking to make friends and meet people. It’s common and totally acceptable to post something as direct as, “I’m new to the city and I’m looking to make some friends!”

Don’t be afraid to be left on read or seen in the group chat or feel embarrassed for seeking out company. In the age of globalization, technology can be a great opportunity to make new friends. Most students are in the same position but may be afraid to admit it, and making the first move can encourage others to connect.

In your spare time, consider joining a local charity or helping out at your university to gain exposure and meet new people. Volunteering immediately brings you together with others who share similar values to achieve a common goal. Animal sanctuaries, homeless shelters, and on-campus volunteer roles are rewarding opportunities to give back while making friends with other empathetic and compassionate people.

Some people appear more natural and confident when it comes to making friends. However, that isn’t to say that they aren’t nervous. Most people are afraid of putting themselves out there and facing rejection. However, adopting a “fake it until you make it” mentality can go a long way. Be sure to present positive and confident body language, and don’t be afraid to make the first move! In fact, many other people are waiting for someone else to get the ball rolling. Projecting confidence may feel like an act at first but it will draw others to you!

After arriving at my study abroad accommodation, I was completely overwhelmed with the unfamiliar environment and abundance of new people. After days of presenting a rigid, shelled-up demeanor, I soon realized everyone was in the same position as me! No one knew each other, and we were all making an effort to make friends, only that some people appeared more confident when doing so.

Consider adopting a perspective that you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by opening yourself up to new people. Not every social interaction that you’ll have will result in a new best friend, but that shouldn’t stop you from reaching out. Don’t miss out on the genuine friendships that you can make while studying abroad!

As the saying goes, nothing comes easy or free. Studying abroad can be equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, but it’s an opportunity to embrace a new culture, expand your horizons, and make meaningful connections. It is both a challenge and a blessing! With these amazing new friends, you can share once-in-a-lifetime experiences and form lifelong relationships. Be confident and be yourself, and you’ll have travel buddies in no time.

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