On social media, living abroad is made to seem like you are instantly surrounded by beautiful European friends in the snap of a finger. Full disclosure, it can be very hard to meet friends abroad especially if you do not speak the native language or have family and friends around to help cheer you up.
Having lived in 3 different countries and traveling to more than 40, I have found some methods that work great when it comes to meeting new people from around the world.
I have gotten tons of questions from my family and friends on how I’m able to make friends so easily, and therefore enjoy my experience abroad so much more. So here are a few tips I put together to help you navigate life abroad, as well as finding forever friendships along the way.
Key tip: Have trust in yourself and believe that you can do it!
- Say YES to anything and everything
Say YES to exploring a new city with a bunch of strangers you just met, say YES when you get invited to go on a bar crawl, say YES when people invite you over to their house for dinner.
Saying YES not only allows you to go on all these fun-filled adventures, saying YES allows you to be open to experiencing new exciting things you would have never done. These small actions of getting out of your comfort zone, not only help you become a confident traveler but a more confident person waiting to tackle whatever comes your way.
Here are some personal stories of when I said YES:
A couple of friends and I were staying at a hostel in Krakow, Poland. Our hostel offered a bar crawl on Saturday night for all of the guests staying there. We were a little reluctant at first but decided on doing it AND it ended up being one of the best nights from the trip! We met other people from Ireland, England, New Zealand, Brazil and Denmark!
Another example:
I was working a seasonal job in Switzerland at a ski resort for the season. After work one day, my boss invited me up on the resort for a Christmas dinner with some of my other coworkers. I mean how could I say no! It was a way better option than staying in my apartment alone on Christmas Eve.
Instead, I was able to further connect with some of my coworkers who came from all over the world (Spain, Iceland, Italy, Germany, Ukraine) on a more social level and learn about their interesting lives!
Just remember when you say YES, you are actively putting yourself out there to meet people from around the world and maybe even make a connection with some locals!
- Download Bumble, Tinder and Hinge
Ok ok I know how this looks… but hear me out! If you think about it, these apps are a tool to utilize to be able to connect with people from around the world. So use it to your advantage!
Pro tip: Ladies- Write in your bio that you are new in the area and looking for cool FRIENDS to show you around. I know it looks cheesy to say in bold letters (FRIENDS) but it works!! And if you aren’t ready to use all these apps, you can use Bumble BFF to find some girl-friends or guy friends abroad!
Personal examples:
I connected with a guy on Bumble over our love for techno and house music. We ended up going to a techno rave in downtown Zurich together, and it was such a great experience!
Another time, I met a girl on Bumble BFF and we went on a few hikes together in the Swiss Alps.
When I was living in Regensburg, Germany, I met up with a guy from Morocco. I learned a lot about Arab culture, and we also had a great conversation about philosophy and the universe.
Although I am no longer in contact with these people anymore, these moments served their purpose for the time being and I was able to experience some pretty amazing moments that I am grateful for.
- Join a sports club, language school, or Facebook group
This is for my travelers who are planning on staying in one place for a longer amount of time (3 months or longer)… I suggest joining a sports club or any club that you have interest in!
If you are staying in a big city, there will be plenty of options out there to connect with people!
Personal Example:
When I was living in Zurich, Switzerland, I joined a lacrosse club (go Lions!) because I played in high school and college and wanted to pick up a stick again. And because the coach liked my attitude and style of play so much, he invited me to try out for the Swiss National Women’s Lacrosse Team. A few months later, I found out I made the team and ended up competing in the World Cup for Team Switzerland!
Crazy things happen when you meet the right people at the right time and allow yourself to fully embrace the moment and enjoy your time.
My tip for you:
Find a hobby or activity you really enjoy doing. This way you can meet people who have the same interests as you. Whether it’s ballroom dancing, getting outside in nature, learning a new language, playing sports, or cooking, there are tons of clubs out there waiting for people to join.
- Stay in hostels
For my first-time solo travelers who have no idea where to start when planning a trip, start by booking a hostel. Hostels are a great way to meet young 20/30-somethings from around the world as well as save money!
There are so many options when staying in hostels, from the type of room you choose all the way to the style and environment you want to be in. If you are solo traveling I recommend staying in a dorm with 4 to 6 people. This way you can meet your bunk neighbors and make plans for the upcoming days together.
My experience in hostels:
I have stayed in many hostels around Europe (Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain) and Asia (Thailand, Indonesia).
While staying in Bali, Indonesia I met 2 bunk mates of mine who were from England. The 2.5 weeks I was traveling throughout Bali, they were with us for 2 weeks. We traveled all around the Island together creating memories to last a lifetime.
- Find a job abroad
For my fellow adventurers who are dual passport holders, this is for you! I am sorry to the people who only hold one passport… I have no idea how to go about working abroad with visas and other documents involved…
Anyway, for anyone who holds an EU passport from the States, I highly recommend using it to work abroad to gain different cultural experiences you are not used to. I have worked in Switzerland and Germany over the years and have come in contact with many inspiring people!
My experiences working abroad in Europe:
When I was living in Germany back in 2021/2022 there were many opportunities to have a “mini-job” which is around 10/15 hours per week. The mini-jobs are unique in that you don’t get taxed by the government because you are making below a certain amount per month.
I was able to work in my German school in Regensburg and assist with helping new students check into their accommodations. In exchange for doing this, my cost of living in my language school was half off! What a deal!
I also had the opportunity to work in Switzerland and meet a ton of amazing, kind-hearted people from around the world.
Back in 2020, I decided to move to Frauenfeld, Switzerland to become an Au Pair. During this time, I was able to join a lacrosse team and met many friends. I also formed new friendships when I attended a German language school once a week in Zurich.
While working at a Ski Resort in Flumserberg, Switzerland in 2022/23, all of my coworkers were from around the world. I met a guy from Spain, a couple from New Zealand, a guy from Iceland, a few others from Ukraine, and many other foreigners from Europe who wanted to work in the Alps.
Through meeting these people, I was able to hear many of their life stories and get new travel tips/ideas on where to adventure next. Meeting like-minded people from around the world is so great, especially when you can stay in contact with them.
- Be genuine when you meet people
This sounds kind of straightforward, but I’ve seen and encountered people who just want to be friends with you for a moment just to get something from you. This is not how you make lasting relationships…
Simple answer: If you want to make new friends, you’ll have to at least act like you care to get to know them. And please give the person you’re talking with your full attention (no phones).
But I know starting a conversation with a stranger can be scary, especially if you don’t have practice or rarely do it. But once you make the first step and get them to start speaking, hopefully, the conversation will flow. And trust me, after you do it a few times, it gets so much easier!
Practice opening up about your life, where you come from, and what you want to do when you’re traveling in the country you’re in.
Being genuine can also leave the door half open. If you are traveling to the same place where this person is from, you could potentially have a free place to stay if you visit them!
You never know the possibilities of where these conversations take you! That’s the most exciting part for me!
-Kristy
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