How to Meet New People in a New Country: An Expat's Proven Guide
Meeting new people in a foreign country takes guts, determination, and a creative mindset. The experience can be thrilling yet daunting at the same time. My move abroad taught me that having friends wasn't just a bonus - it made the difference between feeling alone and making a place feel like home. It took me almost two years to build my community in Italy, which many expats can relate to.
Building connections in a new city speeds up your adjustment by a lot. You'll get help with day-to-day challenges like setting up utilities and avoiding scams that target foreigners. A solid support system can boost your mental health, career growth, and life abroad. To name just one example, close friendships help fight loneliness while local contacts often lead to job leads and work partnerships.
My proven strategies have helped me and many other expats settle in successfully. You can join Facebook groups, go to local festivals, volunteer, or take language classes. These methods work well to grasp cultural nuances and create lasting bonds, regardless of your personality type. Want to make your time abroad better? Get started on your trip with my free guides: "Pick Your Ideal Country" and "Am I Ready to Move Abroad?"
Understanding the Emotional Journey of Moving Abroad
Life in a foreign country brings a rollercoaster of emotions that most people don't see coming. Learning to meet new people in a new country starts with understanding what happens in your mind.
Why loneliness is common in a new country
among new expats, especially during their early days abroad. This feeling comes from leaving your support network of friends and family behind. Language barriers and cultural differences can make you feel isolated, even in a crowd. The feeling hits harder if you're older, without family, or part of the LGBTQ community. Loneliness is a near-universal experience
The importance of mindset and patience
Your mental approach shapes how well you adapt to life abroad. A life coach points out that mental preparation is vital for life-changing moves. Most expats go through similar phases: the honeymoon period makes everything exciting, then comes frustration as reality hits, and finally, adjustment and adaptation take hold.
Knowing these emotional ups and downs helps set the right expectations. Look at challenges as chances to grow instead of failures. Note that, not days or weeks. Adjustment takes months.
How expectations shape your experience
False hopes often lead expats to disappointment. Many land with rose-tinted views of their new life, only to face a "big dose of reality" once the excitement fades. This gap between dreams and reality creates endless comparisons with home.
Self-compassion becomes key. Accept that feeling lost or overwhelmed is part of the process, not your fault. Daily ups and downs will come as you guide through unfamiliar territory.
Take time to process these emotions before building your social circle. Understanding this psychological trip makes new connections more meaningful. My free guides, "Am I Ready to Move Abroad" and "Pick Your Ideal Country," can help you prepare better for your move or current transition.
Starting Online: Digital Tools to Find Your People
Your smartphone can be your best friend to meet new people in a new country. Online connections often lead to meaningful real-life friendships.
Using Facebook groups and expat forums
Facebook groups are now central meeting points for expats looking for community. People who have already moved abroad create these groups and organize regular social meetups that you can join anytime. These community groups also share information about local events, news, and clubs in your area. Popular expat communities include Expatriates in Paris, Trending in China, American Expatriates, and Expatriates in the UAE.
Expat forums like Expat Forum, Expat Focus, Expatica, and Expat Exchange let you ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others who face similar challenges. Note that being positive and contributing will help you get the most out of these forums.
Apps like Meetup, Bumble BFF, and Couchsurfing
Meetup links you with local groups based on shared interests in cities worldwide. You'll find everything from hiking clubs to language exchanges among its 1.9 million members across 1,014 expat groups.
Bumble BFF works like the dating app but focuses only on platonic friendships. The app connects you with potential friends nearby based on your interests, which makes it perfect to find companions in new cities.
Couchsurfing hosts events and "Hangouts" that are great for meeting locals and fellow travelers, beyond its travel accommodation features. Many users mark their status as "tea or coffee" to show they're ready to meet even if they can't host.
How to move from online chats to real-life meetups
Tips for moving from online to in-person connections:
· Meet in public spaces like cafés or popular tourist spots
· Plan activities around shared interests to make conversation easier
· Be upfront about being new to the area
Your first conversations might feel awkward compared to online chats. This is natural—you can break through it by using humor to acknowledge the situation.
Ready to start your life abroad? Get my free guides, "Pick Your Ideal Country" and "Am I Ready to Move Abroad?"
Building Real-World Connections That Last
Building friendships abroad starts with face-to-face connections. Digital networks are great, but let's look at some practical ways to grow your social circle.
Attend local events and cultural festivals
Cultural festivals create natural settings to meet both locals and fellow expats. These gatherings let people celebrate traditions and connect with others in a relaxed atmosphere. The Chinese New Year Festival in San Francisco and Hawaii's Merrie Monarch Festival showcase local heritage and give everyone something to talk about. You can find upcoming events in your area through local Facebook groups or community websites.
Join hobby-based or interest-specific groups
Common interests bring people together naturally. InterNations hosts activities for millions of members worldwide, from hiking and photography to food exploration. Cities offer groups for enthusiasts of board games, pickleball, and much more. links people through countless interest groups— join expat-focused gatherings.Meetup.comover 1.9 million members
Volunteer as a way to meet like-minded people
Volunteering connects you with people who share your values. International UN Volunteers bring together people from 160 countries with different viewpoints. Groups like Habitat for Humanity offer local and international opportunities. You'll understand your new community better while making a difference.
Make friends through language classes
Language exchanges help you improve your skills and meet new people at the same time. Platforms like Tandem connect worldwide with conversation partners in their city. Many community centers and libraries host casual language cafés where learners can meet. over 2.3 million members across 1,815 language exchange groups
Create your own events if none exist
Taking the lead often brings the best results. Can't find the right gatherings? Start your own! A simple coffee meetup, book club, or walking group works well. Share your event on local Facebook groups or expat forums. You'll feel good about organizing while meeting new people.
Want to take your expat experience further? Get my free guides, "Pick Your Ideal Country" and "Am I Ready to Move Abroad?"
Navigating Cultural Differences and Social Norms
Building relationships in a foreign country can be tricky, and navigating cultural differences might be the biggest challenge. You'll need patience and a keen eye to learn unwritten social rules, but the genuine connections you make are worth the effort.
Understanding local customs and etiquette
Research should be your first step before moving to a new country. The internet has a wealth of information about cultural norms that will help you prepare for life abroad. Different dining customs exist worldwide—Japanese people show appreciation by slurping noodles, while Greeks would frown upon this behavior. Hand gestures mean different things in different cultures. A thumbs-up could offend people in Iran, pointing is considered rude in many cultures, and Thailand's three-finger salute carries political weight.
Resources for cultural research include:
· Country Guides with detailed etiquette information
· Worldwide Etiquette websites
· World Culture Encyclopedia
Asian households expect you to take off your shoes before entering, yet Greeks might raise an eyebrow at this practice. The best approach is to watch what locals do and follow their example when you're unsure.
Tips for introverts and extroverts
Introverts make great expats because they tend to observe more and communicate thoughtfully. Start with small, manageable social goals instead of cramming your schedule with events. Their careful listening and mindful approach often lead to deeper connections over time.
Extroverts should know that friendly behavior in one culture might overwhelm people in another. German culture values directness over small talk, and too much chatting might make you seem needy. Friendships develop at different speeds across cultures—German relationships are "like oak trees—slow to grow, but strong once rooted."
How to avoid common social missteps
Different cultures view time differently—Greeks find it fashionable to arrive late, while Swiss and Japanese people consider it disrespectful. People also have different comfort zones for personal space. South Americans stand closer during conversations, while Europeans prefer more distance.
Every culture values respect for elders, but shows it differently. Gift-giving customs vary too—Japanese and Chinese cultures avoid gifts in sets of four because this number represents death.
Want to find your perfect expat destination? Get my free guides, "Pick Your Ideal Country" and "Am I Ready to Move Abroad
Your Trip to Building Connections Abroad
Building a social circle in a new country takes time and effort. The rewards make every awkward introduction worth it. This piece explored ways that helped many expats like me go from isolated newcomers to connected community members.
Getting ready for the emotional ups and downs of expatriation helps you prepare mentally for what's ahead. Digital platforms are great starting points that connect you with locals and fellow expats before you step out. But real-life interactions at cultural festivals, volunteer work, language exchanges, and interest groups are where meaningful relationships grow.
Learning to direct yourself through cultural differences is tough but rewarding. You can avoid social mistakes and better understand your new home by watching carefully and staying curious. Note that patience will be your best friend here. Most expats need months to build their social foundations.
Your ability to build connections abroad comes down to stepping outside your comfort zone again and again. Every social interaction brings you closer to feeling at home, whether it's awkward or fun. The path might look scary sometimes, but the friendships you make will add so much to your expat experience.
Want to start your international adventure with confidence? Before you pack those bags, grab my free guides "Am I Ready to Move Abroad" and "Pick Your Ideal Country". These resources will help you direct not just the social parts of expatriation but everything about creating a new life abroad.