Tips for students on social life while studying abroad

When you are in a new country you feel very lonely at times. This loneliness is exaggerated by the feeling of homesickness. A lack of friends in an unknown country can leave you feeling alienated while studying abroad. With the burden of studies and in a totally new place, having no one to talk to can give you a hard time adjusting. Such feelings leave you thinking how to make friends in foreign land?

Here are a few quick tips to help you have a social life while you study abroad.

1. Ask Questions:

There is no better way to start than by asking questions from your peers at the university. You have a test? Good. Talk about what you feel about it. If you get lost finding your class, ask someone to help you. You’ll notice many people willing to help you out and talk to you.

2. Simply say Hello:

Initiate your social interactions by simply saying hello. If you want to talk to someone, go up to them and strike a conversation by greeting them. Before you know you might even end up talking for hours on end.

3. Join Clubs:

Universities usually have several different clubs and student unions which are great places for socialisation. Just put yourself out there and explore the various organisations at your university. Pick out the one which matches your interests and before you’ll know, you’ll be meeting many other like-minded people from different countries.

4. Attend events:

You have to take yourself out of your comfort zone to connect with people. Show up at parties. Even go out on a trip organised by your university because it is when people are travelling together that they bond most. Attend events such as concerts, meet-ups, books clubs or any other function in and out of the university premises.

5. Go for a shared accommodation:

Many students prefer sharing apartments with other students. When living with other people, students tend to form strong bonds with them. That is because they carry on their daily activities such as cooking, eating, washing and relaxing, together. Which is an ideal scenario to bond with foreign students.

6. Find a host:

There are many people in different countries who are willing to host international students. If you feel like living with another family is your kind of a thing, give it a try. You’ll learn the culture, language, and traditions of this new country and in turn make many great friends along the way.

7. Help out others:

Remember that when you get into a university there are other students who are as anxious about their new surroundings as you. Do not hesitate to help out another fellow student.

8. Never forget to smile:

A smile can go a long way by making others feel more comfortable around you. So use it well.

9. Share is caring:

Nothing can connect two people better than sharing food or a can of cola with another person. If you get to talk to person, invite them to grab a bite with you together sometime. In order to socialise you need to reach out to people.

10. Be Yourself:

Your social life is also a very important part of your whole experience of education abroad. While it is important to hang out with people, don’t try to over do things. Be yourself.

Also, go through the FAQs section on studyabroad.pk if you have any queries about the country which you want to go to pursue your studies.