When you’re visiting a new country, it can sometimes feel like you’re on the outside looking in.
Trust me, I’ve been that lone person at the bar more than enough times! Of course, you want to make friends with the locals… but how? Approaching a random person on the street is one way. But let’s be honest, definitely not the safest or the most efficient.
Thankfully, there are many tried and tested methods with a far higher success rate! All you need is a bit of self-confidence and a willingness to put yourself out there.
So without further ado, here are ten of the best ways to get to know the locals in a new country.
Enroll in a Language School
Sacré bleu! Meeting new people can be tough. But it’s even tougher if you don’t know the local tongue. To help, sign up at a local language school and turbo-boost your linguistic abilities. Your goal is not to be fluent, just to know enough to make a connection.
In all likelihood, your fellow classmates won’t be locals – they’ll know the language already! – but the teachers and tutors probably will be. Many schools also host trips and drinks nights where students and locals can connect. These are the perfect opportunity to test out your newly learned skills!
Hit up a Language Exchange
It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many countries you’ve lived in, sparking up a conversation with a local can be daunting. Will they find you interesting? What will you talk about? Take the pressure off and join a language exchange event.
Typically, sessions will take place in a bar (best if you’re nervous) or a coffee shop. You’ll be given a topic by the session leader and told to chat about that subject for an allotted amount of time. After, people might stick around for more drinks and to continue the conversations.
If you’re thinking of joining, make sure you store your belongings at a safe drop-off spot. Affordable and safe, short-term luggage storage facilities like Bounce are fantastic for knowing your bags are stored safely so you can concentrate on getting out and about in the new city.
Find Local Interests Groups Online
The internet is undoubtedly your friend when it comes to finding local people. And the best thing is, you can make connections before you’ve even left your front door. Facebook is still a great way to connect, as are Meetup and Reddit.
Simply find an online group that shares your passion and request to join. Chat online, make friends, and arrange to meet up when you arrive. Making connections before you get to a new country also makes the transition far easier.
Embark on a Locally Led Tour
You’ve probably already heard of AirBnb Experiences, but every city and town has its own niche tour operators and independent guides. Book a tour and you’ll spend a few delightful hours doing something fun with a local.
And the good news is, the number of activities available are practically endless. Whether you’re itching to learn about the local cuisine or spend a day touring the landmarks, there will be someone ready to show you around for a reasonable price.
What’s even better is you can head to LA’s famous landmark while you’re on a tour. All you’ve to do is place your bags in an LA Luggage Storage so that you’re able to explore the place with complete ease. After all, why carry your bags, when you can roam around freely, just like a local does.
Volunteer with a Charity or Non-Profit
Make a difference and connect with locals when you volunteer with a charity or non-profit. Sites such as VolunteerMatch can connect you with local projects and enterprises. Opting to join for a longer period – say six months – is a wonderful way to make more meaningful connections.
Volunteering is also an excellent way to connect with like-minded locals, those who care about the same things you do. You can also build a network of support just like in timebanking. Plus, you’ll get a warm fuzzy feeling in your belly knowing you’re doing some good.
Join a Sports Team
Make sure you pack your sneakers, because joining a local sports team is the perfect way to make some friends. Not only will you have a ready-to-go group of buds to spend your time with, but you’ll also get some exercise too.
Post-game drinks and hard training sessions are where true friendships are formed. Plus, you’ll probably learn a few of the local swear words when things start to heat up!
Stay in Shared Dorms
There’s no better way to meet new people than to stay in a hostel with shared dorms. Normally, the people you connect with will be fellow travelers, but locals also stay in hostels (especially if they’re visiting from another city in the same country).
Hostels thrive when they connect people and will often throw events to bring everyone together. Drinking games and bar crawls are fairly ubiquitous. But movie nights, cooking classes, and day trips are also regulars on the social calendar.
Utilize those Apps
Dating apps such as Tinder and Bumble are a world-wide phenomenon and are an easy way to meet local singles. If you’re lucky, you might meet someone who wants to show you the spots that only the locals are privy enough to know.
If you’re not interested in romantic liaisons, however, there are plenty of alternatives. Apps such as Bumble BFF and Friender are great ways to forge platonic associations. Whatever your relationship status, sign up to an app and get connecting!
Take a Fun Class
Whether it’s learning how to salsa, developing your photography skills, or becoming a master chef, joining a local class is a simple way to meet a bunch of new people. And lessons are easy to find. Teachers often post their classes on local Facebook groups, but a simple Google search should also do the trick.
If you’re nervous about meeting new people, pick a subject that you’re already interested in. That way, you’ll have plenty to talk about with your new-found classmates.
Ask your Existing Friends
Finally, one of the easiest ways to meet locals in a new country is to ask your friends. It’s simple, but effective. Just put a shout out on social media, let people know where you’re going, and ask them to hook you up with some of the local peeps.
You’ll be surprised by how many get back to you with potential connections. After that, it’s as easy as sending a quick message to your (now) mutual friend and setting a date. This also has the benefit of being safer and will help you settle into your new country much quicker.
With these ten tips, you’ll be making friends with the locals in no time. Remember, it’s all about putting yourself out there and being open to new experiences. It might take a little practice at first, but you’ll be surprised at how many great friendships you make all across the world that last a lifetime.
