|
Making Friends Abroad
By Sarah Western
Moving abroad as a single person says a lot about the kind of person you are adventurous, brave and strong. You’re willing to put yourself in a new environment without the structure of friends, family and the familiar. So what do you get for all of this effort? As it turns out a lot!
It’s easy to make good friendships abroad with other ex-pats (once you find them) since everyone is in the same boat. Friends abroad become your family, and even after one of you moves, you may very well stay in touch because of the experience you shared. You’ll find yourself friends with people you may not have befriended at home, and that’s not just OK it’s good. It’s part of the process, which broadens you on many levels.
It can be harder to make friends with locals for several reasons. Some people in your host country won’t bother since they assume you’ll be leaving soon and aren’t worth the investment. Other cultures simply take a long time to get there, and once you do get there, your assignment is up. But if you can and do make local friends, your experience abroad will be richer. You’ll be that much closer to understanding what real life in your host country is all about.
The best first step is to use your network. Does your friend’s friend, former colleagues’ friend or uncle’s business partner’s friend know someone in your new city? Even if the connection is loose, ask for an introduction, and meet them once you arrive. Then in your office, seek out the other expats. One of them will be a social butterfly (even if just relatively) and invite you to something. Be brave and go, and if you meet someone you like, take the initiative to suggest getting together.
Once you’ve unpacked, start to explore groups that support your interests. Take advantage of what the city offers to help build your new life. In some cases, this might mean finally getting around to something: sailing, yoga classes or cooking classes, a book group, a running club, or volunteering. As is the case in most aspects of your move, building a new life requires you push yourself and go places you may not have explored before.
And lastly, keep your eyes open and keep your mind open to new experiences. By simply breaking free of regular life as you do when you move abroad you will be more open to interesting things coming your way. It’s your job to recognise them, embrace them, and use them to make the most of your time abroad.
Sarah Western helps ex-pats and their families with the lifestyle and social elements of building their new worlds in London.
Copyright of Sarah Western. |
