Moving to a new country as an expat can be an exciting experience, but it often comes with the challenge of building a social circle from scratch. Whether you’re moving to a new country alone or relocating for work, the lack of familiar faces can lead to feelings of homesickness. Finding new friends and connecting with local people is one of the best ways to make a new place feel like home. Meeting people helps you integrate into your new environment and reduce the emotional strain of being away from family and friends.
Combating homesickness by meeting new people
Homesickness is a common experience for many expats. The initial excitement of moving to a new country can quickly fade as the novelty wears off, leaving you longing for familiar faces, food, and customs. However, meeting new people is one of the most effective ways to combat these feelings.
When you connect with locals or fellow expats, you begin to build a new support system. The network of friends not only helps you learn more about the local culture but also offers a sense of community, which can make you feel more grounded and less isolated. As you meet people and create new memories, the homesickness begins to fade, replaced by a feeling of belonging in your new city.
Why do friendships matter when relocating to another country?
Building friendships goes beyond just having fun; it’s an essential part of integrating into a new country. By meeting local people and fellow expats, you’ll be exposed to different perspectives and experiences, which will help you adapt to your new environment. Friendships also provide a sense of stability, making it easier to navigate the challenges of living in a new country. Whether you’re learning the local language, finding your way around, or simply looking for someone to share a meal with, friends make all the difference.
How to meet locals and other expats in a new country?
At first, it can feel a little daunting to go and meet new people, but as you go, it gets easier. Meeting local people in a new country is essential for your integration. While expat groups can provide support, it’s equally important to engage with the local community to truly immerse yourself in the culture. Being proactive in meeting locals not only broadens your social circle but also helps you gain a deeper understanding of the country you’re living in.
The easiest ways to meet new people in a new country is by attending events like local festivals, joining hobby groups, or even taking language classes to meet people naturally. In addition, you can try applications that are created for meeting people, such as Friendchise or Meetup, or Facebook groups designated for expats.
Friendchise: The easiest way to make friends
The easiest way to meet people is through Friendchise, a platform designed specifically to help expats, locals and travelers connect. Instead of being matched with people through things like AI, Friendchise lets you choose who you want to meet based on shared interests, age, and preferences. Whether you’re looking to meet people for coffee, drinks, or a meal, Friendchise makes it easy to find people who share your interests. You can decide when and where to meet, making it a flexible and convenient way to socialize in a new city.
On Friendchise you can share your own plans or join plans others have created. Friendchise makes it easy to meet new people over food and drinks, turning shared moments into meaningful connections.
It’s not a dating app, so there’s no pressure. Just genuine connections that can turn into long-lasting friendships.
Want to be among the first to try it? Subscribe to our newsletter to know when Friendchise opens.
