As I settle into my new life as an expat in Spain, one of the toughest challenges I have faced is meeting new people. I like to think of myself as an extrovert, but I have found putting myself out there not so easy. It’s hard making new friends as an adult and the truth is I have felt quite lonely at times. Meeting people of a similar age is also particularly hard, as many expats in Spain are usually at retirement age. Don’t get me wrong, I have met many amazing retired expats. But as a single woman in her thirties, I would like to meet people at a similar stage in life. And most importantly, I would like to make friends with people from the country I now call home.

As I started to become more intentional with my goal to meet new people, I discovered that others who I have been fortunate to meet also shared in my struggle. So I thought I would share some tips I have found useful for those who are expatriates or those thinking about moving abroad.

Get involved with local community Facebook groups

Don’t have Facebook? Well now is the time to take the plunge if you are serious about meeting new people abroad. As we move more and more into a digital age, meeting people by chance in person becomes increasingly unlikely, so it’s important to be active online.

I have found many social ‘meet up’ groups based in and around the area I live on Facebook. Many of these groups are created by expats, offering a regular weekly social you can simply drop in as and when you like.

Community Facebook groups are also a great way to find out about local events, news and groups/clubs.

There’s an App for that!

There are many apps that offer you a platform to meet and connect with new people. Here are a few I have used to help get you started:

Meet Up is a platform that allows you to search for local groups, events and activities near you based on your interests. There are established groups all over the world on Meet Up, with an extensive range of activities and events to choose from. From sports to music, nights out and book clubs, there is usually something for everyone here.

InterNations is a platform dedicated to expatriates and is established in over 420 cities globally. Similar to MeetUp, it offers events and activities aimed at helping people connect with like-minded people in their new home abroad. Your local InterNations group will also offer information and insights into the new place you have moved to, along with an online forum where you can ask questions to help get you settled. There is a monthly membership fee to get involved with InterNations.

Bumble BFF is an offshoot of the dating app Bumble, but focuses specifically on making friends. You need to download the Bumble app and you then select ‘Bumble BFF’ when creating your profile. The app will then match you with potential new friends in your area based on your interests.

Join a local club, class or hobby group

Bonding over a common interest is the best way to make new friends in my opinion. Joining a local club or hobby group is a great way to meet and connect with people link-minded people. I have joined a local beginner padel tennis group and hiking club, which I found through Facebook, and have since met up with a few people over a coffee. There will likely be a local club you can find no matter your interests. Search online or via Facebook and see what comes up!

You can also find local classes or courses, for example an introduction to photography or cookery classes, where you will likely meet people with shared interests. Volunteering is another great way to meet new people and is also an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether it’s volunteering at a local animal shelter, a charity event or a local beach clean up, there are numerous opportunities often found via local Facebook groups that make you feel like you can give back to your new community.

Join a Language exchange

If you are moving to a country where English is not the first language, then I’d highly recommend joining a local language exchange group (as well as getting lessons or learning via an app like Duolingo). Language exchanges are usually free social meet ups where individuals are looking to improve their conversational skills and get confident speaking a new language. This is a great way to make friends with people who are native, as well as fellow expats. Language exchange groups can usually be found by searching on local Facebook groups.

Join Girls Gone International

One for the ladies, is the renowned online community Girl Gone International. If you are an expat or travelling and want to meet new people, there are many Girl Gone International groups set up across the globe that you can find on Facebook. Run by volunteers, these groups offer regular free social meet up and activities for women of all ages to help people connect and make new friends in a new place. They also host book clubs and have a newsletter you can sign up to for free. I have already met and connected with several women in my local town thanks to Girl Gone International. Join the main Facebook group here and search for your local group here.

Be intentional

Meeting new people as an adult is hard and if you suffer from social anxiety like me (big groups of new people I find particularly challenging), then it can feel impossible to put yourself out there. But you have to be intentional and make an effort when it comes to meeting new people as an expat. Otherwise you run the risk of becoming isolated which can have a significant impact on our mental health. You have already smashed pushing your comfort zone making a move abroad, so you can definitely push through and meet new people too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope you found this useful and if you try any tips that work, I’d love for you to share them in the comments below!