If you’ve just moved to a new city alone, looking to connect with people at your new home, you’ve come to the right page. Community doesn’t just exist where we’ve grown up, we can build it anywhere we are. After the big move, the first thing that becomes very clear is the new silence. This often hits after the dust settles-you find a place to stay, settle into your new job, school, or routine and you start to get some free time. It can get really daunting. In fact, the Economic and Social Research Institute reports that immigrants, are considered among the individuals who are most likely to experience loneliness. It is therefore essential to try and foster new connections as soon as possible to cope with this feeling. So where should you start ?
1. Fitness classes
Well you can start off by signing up to classes at a gym or sports centre in/near your area. This is an easy way to socialise without necessarily having to plan out meetings. Some of these also extend into grabbing a meal or drink afterwards which is great way to grow connections with people with common interests. This is just one of the social advantages of signing up for group fitness.
2. Get to know your new neighborhood
Going out to a local café or event is also a great way to meet people without necessarily having to worry about a commute in a new country. The more you go to these spaces, the more chances of running into the same people and getting to know them.
3. Looking inward
Joining a church, volunteer group, or skill development class is also a way to socialise while tuning into an inner sense of fulfilment. These could range from art, dance, and cooking classes to community cleaning and charity groups. In this way, you get to socialise in spaces that encourage authenticity and growth.
4. Initiate a meetup
It would also be helpful to extend your relationships beyond just work or school by hosting events at home, or initiating social hangouts with colleagues or classmates you would like to get to know better. This gives you a chance to create the kind of experiences you would like to have outside formal settings.
5.Social media and digital spaces
It would not be enough if the use of social media, digital platforms and apps to meet new people was not mentioned in this digital age. Groups and communities on online platforms create opportunities for both virtual and in-person interactions. Through avenues like Bumble BFF, Facebook, Instagram, and Eventbrite, consistent interactions can help build connections. Of course, safety is very important in this case, and it is always advisable to take time to get to know people before actually meeting them in person.
6. Reach out to fellow expats
If you are in a new country altogether, another way to make friends is through meeting fellow immigrants. Through social media groups like Facebook and event platforms like Eventbrite, you can get information on cultural events where you would be able to celebrate your culture, and still meet people who have gone through a similar transition.
To sum up, recognising that the need for community is innate, creates intentionality in how we socialise. In new environments, it helps to pace yourself while aiming to create quality connections. This also means being more receptive to new experiences with people from diverse cultures. I’ll leave you with a complementary video I found particularly helpful that details how to create a new life away from home. Feel free to leave a comment on what you try out.
