Moving to a new country is exciting—new cultures, new experiences, and endless opportunities. But let’s be real: it can also feel isolating.
Moving to a new country is exciting—new cultures, new experiences, and endless opportunities. But let’s be real: it can also feel isolating. Without your usual support system, even the most adventurous expats struggle with expat loneliness and finding meaningful friendships.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make friends as an expat, you're not alone. But the good news? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Mater, the social app for expats, is here to help you meet like-minded people in your city.
Here’s how you can overcome loneliness as an expat and build an amazing social life abroad.
Before diving into solutions, let’s understand why loneliness is such a common struggle for expats:
✔️ Leaving Familiar Connections Behind: Moving abroad means leaving behind family, friends, and familiar places. Starting from scratch can feel overwhelming.
✔️ Cultural Differences: Social norms, humor, and traditions vary from country to country, making it harder to connect with locals.
✔️ Language Barriers: If you don’t speak the local language fluently, even simple conversations can feel like a challenge.
✔️ Work-Life Balance Issues: Many expats relocate for work, leaving them little time to build a social life.
✔️ Transient Communities: Some expats come and go quickly, making it hard to establish long-term friendships.
But don’t worry—finding friends abroad is easier than you think, especially with Mater!
The best way to make friends abroad? Surround yourself with people who understand your experience!
✅ Download the Mater App – Mater is designed to help expats connect and find new friends in their city. Whether you're looking for casual meetups, travel buddies, or deep friendships, Mater makes it easy to match with like-minded people.
✅ Join Expat Facebook Groups & Online Communities – Platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and Meetup have active expat groups where people organize social events.
✅ Attend Expat Networking Events – Look for international meetups, language exchanges, or cultural events happening near you. Mater also highlights expat-friendly events so you never miss a chance to connect.
👉 Ready to meet other expats near you? Download Mater today!
The key to building a social life as an expat is to step outside your comfort zone.
🗓️ Accept invitations—even if you feel shy or uncertain.
💬 Take the first step—introduce yourself and start conversations.
🍽️ Host a gathering—invite new acquaintances for coffee, dinner, or game nights.
💡 Pro Tip: On Mater, you can easily find expats with shared interests and start chatting before meeting in person!
Shared interests create strong friendships.
🎭 Take a Language Course – Learning the local language not only helps you integrate but also connects you with other expats and locals.
🏋️♂️ Join a Gym or Sports Club – Fitness classes, yoga sessions, and group sports are great places to meet new people.
🎨 Attend Creative Workshops – Painting, photography, or cooking classes can help you find friends abroad who share your passions.
🚴♂️ Join Adventure & Travel Groups – If you love the outdoors, Mater can connect you with expats who enjoy hiking, biking, or exploring.
👉 Use Mater to find people with similar hobbies and start making connections instantly!
If you moved abroad for work, your professional network can be a great source of new friendships.
💼 Attend business networking events in your industry.
📍 Visit coworking spaces – they’re social hubs for remote workers and freelancers.
🍻 Go to after-work socials – Even casual drinks with colleagues can help you feel more connected.
🤝 On Mater, you can connect with expats in your field and grow your network effortlessly.
While expat communities are great, making local friends helps you truly feel at home.
🌍 Show Interest in the Local Culture – Try new foods, attend cultural events, and explore local traditions.
🗣️ Learn the Language – Even basic phrases can make a huge difference in forming relationships.
📍 Explore Local Hangouts – Instead of sticking to expat bars, visit cafés, bookshops, and community centers where locals gather.
📲 Want to connect with locals? Mater helps you meet open-minded locals who are excited to welcome expats!
Loneliness grows when you isolate yourself. Stay engaged by:
🕰️ Setting a weekly social goal – Plan to meet at least one new person per week.
📅 Having a routine – Visit your favorite café regularly or go for morning runs in the same park. You’ll naturally start recognizing people.
📖 Joining online expat groups – Digital communities can offer daily interactions and support.
If loneliness starts affecting your well-being, don’t hesitate to seek help.
🧑⚕️ Talk to a Therapist – Many cities have English-speaking therapists specializing in expat life.
📞 Stay Connected with Family & Friends – Regular calls home can ease the transition.
❤️ Practice Self-Care – Exercise, eat well, and prioritize activities that make you happy.
Remember: Loneliness is temporary. With the right mindset and tools like Mater, you can build a fulfilling social life as an expat.
Moving abroad is an adventure, but it’s even better when shared with great people. Don’t let loneliness hold you back—take action and start building your expat social life today!
👉 Ready to meet fellow expats and locals in your city? Download Mater now and start making real connections!
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