Travelling solo, I always found it so easy to meet people along the way, but moving to a new city was a completely different ballgame. Here are some of my top tips for making friends as an expat.
Network Online
Meetup.com, Bumble BFF, and FB Groups are all great ways to meet people. Look for groups with similar interests and put yourself out there. It can feel awkward but it’s a great way to meet like minded people.
Say Yes
Say yes to trying new things even if it gets you out of your comfort zone. Maybe back home you hate watching football at the local pub but if someone’s invited you out, go for it – you never know who they’ll introduce you to!
Find a hobby
Join a basketball team, volunteer at a cat shelter or take a class in tarot reading. Find an activity that floats your boat and go for it. When I first moved to NYC, I joined a trivia team. To this day, some of those girls are still my closest friends.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
Met someone you like? Ask for their number or Instagram and invite them out for a coffee or wine. It might feel weird at first, but the more you do it, the more you get used to it! Yes, they could say no, but on the flip side, they might be just as excited as you are to connect.
Know Your Worth
Sometimes you’re not going to mesh well with people, and that’s totally fine; know that it’s nothing personal. Write a list of all the great things you have to offer others to remind yourself of your worth and why you make a good friend.
Ellie Sharpe 