When you are studying alone outside, you might feel lonely and home sick. However, if you have good friends and connections, half of the problem is solved. It is true that when you are at the foreign land, it is quite difficult to understand the culture, tradition and language of the nation. Besides this, people may come across many more problems too. Even the outgoing person may feel little in the new country. The problem becomes worse when you have pressure of studies and you are already struggling with other things like food, language, culture etc. This article will give you tips for making friends and building connections abroad while studying
Do Not Shy
To make friends is not the one meeting task. It takes time to understand the person and if you are a shy person, you may take time. However, be patient and give time to you. Creating connection can’t be done overnight. So the first thing expected from you is not to shy. Be open up and come out of your comfort zone. The shyness in you will push you back and never allow you to talk and understand others. Therefore, take initiative and interact with your classmates.
Participate in Orientation Events
Most study program abroad commences orientation programs such as welcome lunch, campus tour, workshops etc. Make sure that you do not miss such programs. Such events are essential part of the universities. So, be the part of it. Such program helps you to adapt the new environment with ease. And you will get chance to interact with new students of other programs too. Besides this, such programs give you chance to meet local as well as international students.
Join a Club/Organization
When you start interacting with others, you will discover several things including club or organizations. You can join sports team or language programs or any other club as per your interest and build connections with others. This way you are exploring the different horizons in the new country. It is a wonderful way to expand your friend circle and thus making most out of studying abroad.
Join Social Events
Many universities commence social events on the regular basis such as games, parties, and movie night. Attending such events will double your joy of living abroad. Such social events open a platform for you to introduce you with confidence. You are likely to meet your friend, future business partner in such events because these are informal parties where you can discuss anything.
Start Using Social Media:
Social media has revolutionized the world. It is a great way to build connections. It is one of the tips for making friends and building connections abroad while studying. It has been used all over world. It shows you the window where hundreds of people are available to be friend with you. It is suggested to make a research about the person before adding him/her in your friend list. If you are sure about the person then only extend the connections otherwise seize the person.
Join Language or Student Exchanges
By participating in the language or Exchange program, you are giving double joy to you. First, here also you can make friends and second you become proficient in their language. These days’ universities provide language and student exchange programs via online platform or offline too. Such exchange programs improve your language skills in the new language set up. You will get insight of the new culture.
Attend a Workshop
By enrolling in the workshop, you are giving an exceptional chance to increase your social network. Here is the chance to meet with the people who share your interests and passion. Engage in the group activities and learn the ways to cultivate camaraderie with people. In the workshop, you collaborate on discussion on a certain topic or any project. While discussion, you lend support to someone or vice versa may develop a connection in the foreign land.
Work in Group
Collaborate with local students on a group work during your studies. It is an excellent opportunity to begin the cross cultural relationships and experience the insights of the new ideas. Thus, engage in such activities and expand your wings to cultivate the understanding with local students. Through shared support, you can build long-lasting relationships helpful for personal and professional growth.
The Last Word:
Friends give joy, support and make your life extraordinarily splendid. Start meeting new people and make your life beautiful on the new land.
I am a certified career counselor and founder of the Study Abroad company- DreamUni EduVISA Services. I help students to get admission in a university of their choice in a foreign country. My expertise lies in admission assistance, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Statement, academic writing, scholarship writing, and Letter of Recommendation (LOR). I have experienced high success with students of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
I also work for partner agencies on a freelance basis and have authored four books “Book of Amusing Anecdotes”, “Gaya- Assorted Paranormal Stories from the Ancient Indian City”, “Forever and Ever”, and “Truths Untruths”. I love the paranormal genre and most of my books are based on this theme.
