In circumstances where it was initially challenging to meet like-minded people, how did you eventually find your tribe as an expat partner? Or are you still struggling to make connections?
No clear starting point
Many members of our community might live in a compound or neighbourhood where it was very easy to meet people. Fellow expats introduced themselves; invitations were extended and friendships were rapidly forged. But many others might find themselves in a more suburban setting, where there’s no clear starting point for a social life. You might be a very sociable person – and have never experienced isolation in your life – only to find yourself in a new cultural setting where it feels like no one is interested in getting to know you. That can be tough.
More misses than hits!
One of our consultants, Josien Berkenvelder, has personally experienced how different expat life can be from one destination to another: “When I lived in Uruguay, my husband and I would take the kids into school. All the other parents would congregate inside the gate every morning. From day one, we were part of a community,” says Josien. “Now I’m in Germany, my kids just run out the door and jump on a school bus. So I know I have to find other ways to meet other people. I must admit, so far, I have had more misses than hits!”
Making connections
We have published plenty of stories about how people reignited their social lives as expats. One British expat in Seoul joined an ‘Ultimate Frisbee’ team. A young Polish woman in Prague told us that she uses Meetup.com to meet people who share her interests. An Austrian writer, relocating for the first time without kids, used our Members Directory to invite fellow expats for ‘fika’ in Malmö.
This article was originally published for the thousands of expat partners that Global Connection supports around the globe. It is reproduced here in its original form.
