This is a post about how to make friends while living abroad.
Making friends while living abroad can be one of the most rewarding but challenging aspects of expat life. If you ask me, it’s one of my absolute favourite things about travelling and living abroad! In all these years of globetrotting I met people from so many different walks of life I would’ve never had the chance to meet had I stayed in my little mountain town in Rio de Janeiro. I made friends from Australia, Croatia, Korea, Norway, Japan, Mexico, Kuwait…and dated more nationalities that I can remember (should I write a post about that?). Best of all, I kept in touch with so many that we can now visit each other and have a place to stay in different countries! Cultural differences, language barriers and unfamiliar social norms can make it feel daunting. But building a community is essential for feeling at home in a new country. Here are 10 practical ways to make friends while living abroad, with tips tailored to different cultural contexts.
Why It Works: Expat groups are full of people who understand the challenges of living abroad and are often open to meeting new friends.
Where to Find Them:
Facebook groups (e.g., “Expats in [Your City/Country]”). I mentioned on a previous post but I’ve met some great people in the London New Girl group! Even if I haven’t been a new girl in a while… there’s even a branch focused on London girls hiking!
Meetup.com for events tailored to expats or specific interests.
Local expat organisations often host language exchanges or cultural events. For my podcast (in Portuguese!), I recently interviewed someone who was an au pair in Luxembourg. She said the city used to organise loads of events for the au pairs to meet each other! In fact, if Luxembourg is on your radar, that’s a tiny country but filled with different nationalities and people building a new friendships!
Cultural Note: In countries like Germany or Japan, where social circles may feel closed to outsiders, expat communities can provide a friendly starting point.
Attend Language Classes or Cultural Workshops
Why It Works: Shared learning experiences are a natural way to bond with others.
Examples:
Language classes tailored for expats or online apps like Italki that offer group lessons.
Cultural workshops such as cooking classes in Italy or calligraphy sessions in Japan.
Cultural Note: In countries where people appreciate effort in learning the language, like France or Korea, attending language classes can also help locals warm up to you.
Why It Works: Festivals and events bring people together and create natural opportunities to socialize.
What to Do:
Attend free local events like street fairs or food markets.
Volunteer at festivals or community projects to meet like-minded locals.
Cultural Note: In countries like Thailand or Brazil, where festivals are lively and inclusive, locals are often eager to include foreigners in the celebrations.
Use Apps to Meet People
Why It Works: Apps designed to connect people make it easy to find friends based on shared interests.
Popular Apps:
Bumble BFF: Perfect for one-on-one friendships.
Meetup: Great for group activities like hiking or book clubs.
Tandem: Ideal for language exchange partners.
Cultural Note: In tech-savvy countries like South Korea or Singapore, using apps to make friends is common and widely accepted.
Join Clubs, Sports Teams or Hobby Groups
Why It Works: Shared hobbies naturally bring people together.
Ideas:
Join a running club in the UK or a yoga group in Bali.
Take up country-specific hobbies like salsa dancing in Colombia or cricket in India.
MeetUp is also great for that! I joined a really fun weekly volleyball club through it!
Cultural Note: In countries like Australia or Brazil, where outdoor activities are popular, joining a sports team is a fantastic way to bond with locals.
Why It Works: Coworkers and classmates often form the first layer of friendships abroad.
Tips:
Attend after-work drinks or school social events.
Ask colleagues about local hangout spots.
Cultural Note: In Japan and South Korea, participating in work-related outings (e.g., “nomikai” drinking parties) is a key way to build rapport with colleagues. In some parts of Europe, however, it’s a little bit trickier in countries where locals tend to compartmentalise their social groups.
Join Religious or Spiritual Communities
Why It Works: I’m not a religious person but I am from a super religious country! Several of my friends have developed lovely social groups through joining local churches and faith-based groups
What to Try:
Attend services, meditation groups or study circles at local places of worship.
Volunteer in charity events organised by the community.
Cultural Note: In countries like the US or Italy, religious communities often play a central role in social life and are eager to include newcomers. I feel like I need to add a disclaimer though…please be careful. It’s nothing new that some religious groups use religion to segregate, disseminate hateful messages and exploit people in vulnerable moments. I’m obviously not suggesting you join one of those!
Explore Food and Drink Socials
Why It Works: Food and drinks are universal connectors and many cities host events for food lovers.
Ideas:
Join a supper club or wine-tasting group in countries like France or Argentina.
Attend food tours or cooking classes to meet other expats and locals.
Cultural Note: In Mediterranean countries like Spain or Greece, meals are long and social, making food-centered events a perfect way to connect. Quite frankly, one of my favourite ways to socialise! Sharing good food and good conversations with lovely people.
Why It Works: Friendships often form when you least expect them.
How to Cultivate This:
Strike up a conversation with your neighbors, baristas, or shopkeepers.
Offer a smile and small talk—especially in friendly cultures like Ireland or Mexico.
Cultural Note: In Scandinavian countries like Sweden or Finland, locals might seem reserved at first, but once you break the ice, they often become lifelong friends.
Volunteer Locally
Why It Works: Volunteering allows you to give back to your new community while meeting locals and other expats.
What to Try:
Teach English, work at animal shelters or help with local food drives.
Websites like Workaway or HelpX often list volunteer opportunities.
Cultural Note: In countries like Kenya or South Africa, volunteering is a common way for foreigners to integrate into the local community.
Bonus Tip: Understand Local Social Norms
Every country has unique cultural expectations around friendships.
In Japan, forming deep friendships takes time, but once trust is built, relationships are long-lasting.
In Brazil, people are naturally warm and open and friendships can form quickly.
In Germany, friendships are often slower to develop but tend to be very loyal and meaningful.
Understanding these nuances can help you navigate social situations more effectively and form authentic connections.
Making friends while living abroad takes effort and patience, but the rewards are immense. By embracing cultural differences, getting involved in local communities and staying open to new experiences, you’ll build meaningful relationships that make your time abroad unforgettable.
