Living like a local
What to expect when studying abroad in Ireland?
What to expect when studying abroad in Ireland? Find everything you need to know to...
One of the main fears students have when planning to study abroad is the fear of being alone and having trouble making friends. You’re maybe wondering How to Make Friends When Studying Abroad?
For that reason, we decided to create this guide with some amazing tips on how you can meet new people and make some friends while studying abroad.
It’s always going to be difficult to be the new “kid on the block” (especially if you’re an introvert), but hopefully this tips will make your life a lot easier:
Welcome week
Many universities organize a “Welcome Week” for international students. This is basically a week full of events and activities to make students more familiar with the campus facilities and for them to meet each other. We wrote a guide dedicated to this topic, you can check it here.
If your university organizes this kind of activity, try to participate as much as possible. This will allow you to get to know your fellow international students but it will also make it easier for you to meet the locals (because these events are usually organized by volunteers that already study at the school).
University Events
Besides the “Welcome Week”, there are always new events happening on campus. These could consist of workshops, social events or even networking sessions and they can be organized by the school or by student’s unions.
You should keep an eye out for: international student gatherings, guest lectures, film showings and cultural events about the host country’s culture.
This is a great way for you to know more about the city and to meet new people that attend the same school as you.
Participate in class
Events are cool, but you also need to go to class (that’s the main reason you’re attending university right?). Given that most of your time on campus will be passed in class, try to make the best out of it.
If you’re working on group projects, voice your opinion and listen to the opinions of others as much as possible. Try to plan study sessions with your colleagues and offer to share notes. You can even invite some colleagues to lunch or dinner after class.
Social media groups
It is very usual for international students to create group chats with each other to keep in touch after the welcome week. Make sure you´re part of those groups, if there aren’t any, create one yourself!
In addition to these groups, make sure to follow the university on social media, that way you’ll never miss out on events that may be happening. You can also follow student’s unions and student’s associations, because they are also going to share many events and gatherings that may be happening.
Learn the language
We know, this one is kind of obvious. But most people are excited and impressed when foreigners learn the language and are eager to help them improve.
You can go two for two on learning a new language and making friends,
Live the life of the city
Every city has local events, locations, and cultural history that can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world. Find out what makes your host city unique and participate. If you’re lucky locals will give you some off-the-beaten-path recommendations and maybe even come with you.
Few examples of what you can do: take a tour of the city’s attractions, visit local museums and historical sites, attend music festivals/cultural gatherings and try local foods.
Volunteering
You can also help out the community by being part of a volunteering project. In Europe it is very common for students to be part of volunteering projects after class.
Hopefully you’ll be able to make new friends abroad if you follow these tips. And if you do, don’t forget to keep in touch with them after you leave, you never know what kind of doors these friendships may open in the future.
Do you need more help to go abroad? Talk with us.
If you still have doubts about the requirements you have to study abroad, try reading our guide on Entry Requirements for International Students.
