The Realities of Making Friends as an Expat—It’s Easier Than People Think
Forget the expat loneliness myth—if you have hobbies and shared interests, meeting people in a new country is effortless. Here’s how to build real connections anywhere in the world.
One of the biggest fears about moving abroad? Making friends. But here’s the truth—it’s easier than you think if you have the right approach.
Many people assume moving to a new country means starting from scratch socially. The fear of isolation stops some from taking the leap. But in reality? Making friends abroad isn’t about luck—it’s about shared interests and putting yourself in the right spaces.
This post breaks the myth that making friends as an expat is difficult. If you have hobbies or interests, meeting people—even with language and cultural barriers—is surprisingly easy. Whether you're into sports, food, nightlife or creative pursuits, there’s always a way to connect with like-minded people.
Let’s get into how hobbies make socializing abroad effortless and how you can start building friendships no matter where you land. 🚀
Why Do Some Expats Struggle to Make Friends?
❌ The Expat Bubble Trap
Only hanging out with other foreigners instead of integrating.
Frequenting bars, cafes, and coworking spaces that cater only to English speakers.
Missing out on real cultural exchange by staying in a comfort zone.
👉 Fix It: It’s great to have expat friends, but mix it up. Challenge yourself to explore local spots, attend events, and interact with people outside the expat scene.
❌ Cultural & Language Barriers
Fear of looking foolish when speaking the local language.
Different social expectations—some cultures take longer to form deep friendships.
Misreading social cues (e.g., in some places, friendships develop through group activities, not one-on-one meetups).
👉 Fix It: Learning just a few key phrases makes a difference. Even if you aren’t fluent, people appreciate the effort. Also, understand the local friendship dynamic—some cultures value slow relationship-building, while others are more direct.
❌ Lack of Initiative
Waiting for people to invite you instead of making the first move.
Sticking to the same daily routine without branching out.
Underestimating how much effort it takes to build a new social circle.
👉 Fix It: Friendships abroad don’t just happen—you have to show up. Join events, message people first, say yes to invitations, and follow up on connections.
The good news? Once you break past these obstacles, meeting people is actually easy—especially when you have hobbies. Let’s get into that next. 🚀
Thinking “I don’t know anyone” instead of actively finding ways to connect.
The Secret? Hobbies & Interests Make It Easy
💡 Common interests break down barriers faster than small talk. When you share a passion with someone, language and culture take a backseat to the connection. Instead of struggling to "network" or force conversations, you naturally bond over shared activities.
1️⃣ Sports & Fitness
🏋️♂️ Why It Works: Team mentality, shared goals, and a built-in social circle. Physical activities create an instant bond—training together, pushing limits, and celebrating progress.
✅ Join a Muay Thai gym or a weekend soccer league.
✅ Try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), rock climbing, or CrossFit—these sports have strong global communities.
✅ Attend group fitness classes or outdoor running clubs to meet locals and fellow expats.
2️⃣ Language Exchange & Local Meetups
🗣️ Why It Works: Locals want to practice English, and you can learn their language—it’s a win-win. These meetups tend to be relaxed and social, making them great for meeting new people.
✅ Go to language exchange cafés or cultural meetups—great spots for casual conversations.
✅ Join local Facebook groups where people post about upcoming language meetups.
3️⃣ Food & Cooking
🍣 Why It Works: Food is a universal language, and sharing a meal creates easy connections. Whether you're learning to cook or just enjoying a meal, food brings people together.
✅ Take a local cooking class (sushi in Japan, dumplings in China, tacos in Mexico).
✅ Join foodie groups or supper clubs where locals and expats dine together.
✅ Explore street food markets and strike up conversations with vendors and fellow diners.
4️⃣ Nightlife & Social Scenes
🍻 Why It Works: Bars, clubs, and social events are designed for interaction. Whether you're at a rooftop bar or a casual beer garden, social settings create effortless connections.
✅ Pub quizzes, karaoke nights, and salsa dancing are fun and interactive ways to meet people.
✅ Expats tend to gather at live music spots and expat bars, but locals also join in.
✅ Be open to random conversations—many friendships start over shared drinks or music.
5️⃣ Volunteering & Community Groups
🤝 Why It Works: When people work toward a shared cause, friendships form naturally. Volunteering also integrates you into the local community in a meaningful way.
✅ Help out at an animal shelter in Bali or a food bank in Colombia.
✅ Join local community clean-ups, education programs, or environmental groups.
✅ Teaching English or mentoring in local programs can also help you connect deeply.
6️⃣ Creative & Professional Networking
🎨 Why It Works: Artistic and business-related hobbies naturally bring like-minded people together. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a creative, there's a network waiting for you.
✅ Join a coworking space—instant access to entrepreneurs and remote workers.
✅ Go to art classes, photography walks, or live music jam sessions to meet creative locals.
✅ Attend business networking events if you're interested in building professional connections.
Actionable Ways to Make Friends as an Expat
✔ Say yes to invites, even if you don’t know anyone.
When someone invites you to an event, gathering, or casual meetup, say yes—even if it feels slightly outside your comfort zone. The first step to making friends is showing up. The more social opportunities you take, the more people you meet.
💡 Example: Got invited to a house party, a casual dinner or a random language exchange? Go. Even if you don’t know anyone, that’s how friendships start.
✔ Go to the same place regularly—familiarity builds friendships.
You don’t have to introduce yourself to a new crowd every day. Repeated exposure is key to forming connections. Find a spot and make it “your place.”
💡 Try this:
✅ Visit the same coffee shop every morning—baristas and regulars will start recognizing you.
✅ Go to the same gym, coworking space, or bar on a regular basis—eventually, you’ll start chatting with other regulars.
✅ Attend weekly meetups or hobby groups to see familiar faces and build friendships naturally.
✔ Be the one to initiate plans—people appreciate someone making the first move.
Most people are open to new friendships, but many are waiting for someone else to take the lead. If you meet someone cool, don’t just say “let’s hang out sometime”—make a plan and follow through.
💡 How to do this effectively:
✅ “Hey, let’s grab ramen tomorrow—there’s a spot I’ve been wanting to try.”
✅ “We should check out that live music event this weekend—are you free Saturday?”
✅ “A few of us are going to a rooftop bar on Friday, you should come!”
People appreciate someone who takes initiative. If you start making plans, you’ll quickly build a solid social circle.
✔ Don’t be afraid to be a beginner—trying a new hobby makes meeting people even easier.
Starting from scratch is a great way to bond with others. If you’re new to a sport, language, or activity, you’re automatically on the same level as other beginners—which makes for easy, low-pressure friendships.
💡 Great beginner-friendly activities to meet people:
✅ Take a language class—everyone there is struggling together.
✅ Sign up for a dance or yoga class—you’ll naturally pair up and chat.
✅ Join a beginner’s sports league—nobody expects you to be an expert, which creates an instant bond.
Conclusion – Making Friends Abroad is Easier Than You Think
Moving abroad can feel intimidating at first, but making friends doesn’t have to be a challenge. The key isn’t being the most outgoing person in the room—it’s about finding shared interests and putting yourself in the right environments.
🏆 Key Takeaways:
✔ You don’t need to be extroverted—just find your people.
Joining hobby groups, language exchanges, or local meetups makes it easy to connect without forced small talk.
✔ Hobbies create instant friendships, even across language barriers.
Passion for sports, food, music, or art makes cultural differences almost irrelevant.
✔ If you’re struggling, change your approach, not the country.
Many expats assume it’s the destination, but often it’s just about stepping outside their comfort zone.
What’s the best way you’ve made friends abroad? Drop your experiences in the comments!
Whether it was through a random conversation in a coffee shop, a local dance class, or a rooftop party, let’s hear your best stories! 🚀🌍🔥