One of the hardest things about living abroad is making friends. It’s pretty easy to meet people — both locals and other expats — but turning those casual meetups into real friendships can be tricky. There are plenty of reasons for that: language barriers, cultural differences, different values, and more.
Still, it’s totally possible to build genuine connections. One of the best ways is by sharing a common interest or hobby. Try joining a club or group that does something you enjoy. For example, pickleball has blown up recently, and now there are tons of groups out there for players of all ages and skill levels.
If sports aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to meet people. You can check out networking events, language exchanges, beer crawls, running clubs, or coffee meetups — whatever fits your vibe.
Anyway, happy hunting — and remember, friendships abroad often start with just one shared activity or good conversation!