11 Ways to Make Friends When Studying Abroad

Why not make dinner a communal activity in your new home? It’s the perfect excuse to get everyone out of their rooms and having fun in the kitchen. If you aren’t a confident cook, don’t panic! Take turns cooking with your housemates or cheat and buy some ready meals! Most people will just be happy to share something simple, especially if you are sharing a dish from your home country.

It’s great if you establish a group of amazing friends at university. But you should try and make a few friendship circles in different areas of your student life, such as people from your class, in the clubs you join and in your accommodation. This means you’ll always have someone to call if you need company, and guarantees you’ll never have a dull moment!

Spend as little time as possible holed away in your bedroom, even if you have decorated it to look amazing! One of the best parts of university is getting to work with other students, in study groups or on shared projects. Nothing unites everyone as much as an all-nighter in the library with snacks. When you’re given a group project assignment, don’t just opt to team up with fellow international students; try and find some local students to partner up with. You’ll have lots of time to chat, come up with great ideas and celebrate your success over drinks.

Don’t be shy when reaching out to your new classmates and peers on social media. It’s a great way of finding out what others are up to and joining in! University Facebook pages and Twitter accounts can help you to learn people’s names and also lets you know what events are coming up, so you can make sure you have time in your (now very busy) schedule!

Although you may think you know who your ‘type’ of friend is, don’t let that hold you back. University is full of all different kinds of people and you shouldn’t make snap judgements about anyone before getting to know them. Friendships can spring up in the most unlikely of places.

Nothing cements friendships like a good soirée. And if you are looking to unite a big group of people, this can be the perfect opportunity – as long as it’s not against the rules in your accommodation. The best way to meet lots of new people is to join forces with your dorm-mates. And of course, students love anything free, so think about providing some nibbles or drinks.

Opting for this student halls is a great way to live close to lots of other students. Most properties will have shared communal spaces to hang out in, and lots boast resident social committees who arrange fun meetups for all the students.

University (especially if you’re studying abroad) is all about new experiences and it gives you the chance to meet people from all walks of life. So put yourself out there and start doing things that are a bit outside your comfort zone. Try windsurfing, yoga, ballroom dancing, volunteering or simply saying ‘hi!’ and asking ‘how’s your day been?’ Join the football team, take up a cookery course or attend a meeting of the Viking Society – anything! Students are a sociable bunch, and you’ll be surprised by how easily you’ll make friends for life – once you’ve given yourself a little push.

Becky Pemberton is an editorial executive at Student.com, the world’s leading marketplace for student accommodation.

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