Making Friends Abroad 

You’ve fallen in love with Italy, you've done your research, got the visa, and took the leap.  You're on Cloud 9 as you walk down bustling sidewalks alongside locals, surrounded by beautiful architecture.  You smile inside as familiar Italian words float into your ears.  You're in your new home, and you like it. 

There comes a time in each expat’s life, however, when as beautiful as all of that is, you can't help but feel a little bit lonely.  The language, the sunsets, the food.... all so beautiful but you have no one to share it with. Your friends from back home are... still back home.  What's a new expat to do? 

There are plenty of ways to make friends abroad, particularly if you live in a bigger city.  Here are some things that have worked for me in my past nomadic adventures: 

-Take classes.

Maybe you want to improve your skills in the local language, or perhaps you want to learn some new recipes and local cooking methods, or maybe you came as a student and are already taking plenty of classes.  These are a great place to meet people, instantly.  If you're taking a language class, chances are your classmates are fresh arrivals just like you, who would love to meet new people.  When I was a student in Perugia, I made some pretty unforgettable connections. 

-Dance! Sing!

I’m a tango dancer.  I have made friends everywhere in the world I’ve been, because I go dancing wherever I go.  It’s a surefire way to meet locals. Most cities have classes not just in tango, but salsa, belly dancing, and more.  If dancing isn't your thing, but you love to sing, I bet you'll have no trouble finding a choir to join.  Seriously!  One of my roommates a few years ago made a ton of friends this way.  

-Be assertive.

If you already speak the local language and really want to connect with locals, be assertive and consistent.  Don’t wait for them to come to you.  Where I live the people are known to be chiusi, closed.  Well, people are only closed if you let them be.  Smile, start conversations, offer your phone number, be direct and ask them to meet you for coffee.  Be patient, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

-Write a blog.

Several of my friends have come into my life through blogging.  Of course you’ll want to be careful, but at the same time, blogs are not to be discounted as a great way to meet people and get advice on things to do in your city.   I've formed some deep friendships thanks to my blog.

What are some things you have done to make friends in your new city?

Tina Ferrari is a translator, writer and tango dancer based in Perugia, Italy.  She writes at