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Book Now Making new friends is daunting enough without the added pressure of being in a completely new place. Whether you’re a temporary visa holder working towards Australian permanent residency or here for a working holiday, reaching out and socialising will enrich your experience in Australia. Even the most independent and introverted of us need connections and friends. If you don’t know where to start and how to get past the awkward first steps, don’t worry. In this blog, we are sharing tips on how to make the first steps to forming friendships as an expat.
Reach out to your connections
Reach out and see if there are people you already know in Australia. Even friends of friends of friends can help you settle and feel less isolated. Look through your contacts and through your Facebook friends. If you find somebody you know, start by letting them know you’ll be around and ask they’d like to catch up. If you don’t know anybody try asking your friends if they know anybody and if they can set up a friend date for you.
Online
There are a lot of safe and trustworthy sites that will help you connect with people. Meetup can connect you with people who have similar interests. If you are shy to do things by yourself there are groups hiking, dancing, sport, music, seeing movies and for local LGBTQIA+. There are also Facebook groups for Australian migrants where you can get advice and connect with people who are going through similar experiences.
Students
If you’re an international student, school or college is the perfect place to forge great friendships. All you need to do is put yourself out there! It can be as simple as talking to the people in your class. A good way to meet new people is to join clubs at your educational institution. You’ll become more involved and you’ll be around people who share the same interests as you. It’s always a good idea to attend your orientation week, it will help you acclimatise and connect with fellow students.
Parents
Finding the time to meet new people and forming friendships is difficult when you have a dependant. Don’t worry, you are not alone. See if there are any local parenting groups where you can find support from parents who are going through the same things as you. If your child is in school, then take the opportunity to talk to other parents during drop-off or pick-up. Get to know the parents your child’s friends through play dates and birthday parties.
Other Expats
Other expats are often easier to befriend because they also looking to make new connections. It’s a good place to start, especially if you want to go out, take day trips or spend your days exploring. Locals might be too busy with their day-to-day to keep up with your activities. Look out for local expat communities, there are Facebook and Meetup groups dedicated to supporting and connecting expats.
Local Events
Staying social and meeting new people is all about putting yourself out there. Take a look at what’s on around you and, even if you don’t have anybody to go with, go out and enjoy yourself. Going to small and intimate events makes it easier to meet and get to know new people. For example, if you’re interested in the arts then going to an event or workshop can help connect you with the right people.
Follow through
A big part of creating a network for yourself is following through when you meet new people. Don’t expect people to invite you into their social circle straight away. Take initiative and invite them out for a coffee and let the friendship flow naturally. It can feel daunting taking the first step to form a friendship but you don’t cross the finish line by standing still. Put yourself out there.
Check In
If you are moving onto somewhere new, don’t forget the connections you have made. You don’t have to message or call every day but checking in every now and then will keep the connection alive. Spending time and energy on the friendships you make while travelling means you’ll always have a connection if you ever decide to return. Maybe one day you might be able to return the favour and show them around your hometown.
Living as an expat is a wonderful experience once you build up a local support network. When it comes to organising your Australian visa, AHWC Immigration Law (formerly Australia Here We Come Migration) is here to support and guide you. Call us today on 1300 887 818 to speak to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents or send us your enquiry today.
