Making friends with individuals from a foreign country can sometimes be challenging. Australia, with its distinct culture and dialect, adds another layer of complexity. It may appear easier to connect with other international students during orientation week or ESL classes.
However, building relationships with Aussies is not as daunting as it seems. Australia prides itself on being a multicultural nation, with 47% of the population born or raised by immigrant parents. Aussies are accustomed to interacting with people of diverse backgrounds, both in educational institutions and workplaces. You can communicate not only with expats in Australia but also with native residents. The main thing is to know how and where to look for new acquaintances. You might even be lucky to live with friends.
Ways to Meet People and Make Friends
Things to Do to Meet People in Australia
#1 Join a Social Club
Joining a social sports club, or another club, or volunteering at organizations like the campus library can help you establish common ground with fellow members. Many universities offer a variety of clubs and societies that host numerous social events.
#2 Communication apps
Telegram has numerous public groups that can be found via a simple search. Just click on the search logo and enter the group’s name. The group’s data will then be displayed based on the provided keywords.
To find group members, navigate to the group members section. Here, you can find thousands of Telegram users to chat and engage with each other mutually. Telegram also offers a new option to chat with friends in your vicinity. This feature is relatively new, allowing you to connect with friends nearby. You can also use more themed apps like Peanut, Clic or Next Door.
By exploring these options, even as a newcomer to Telegram, you can expand your network and make numerous online friends. Do we need to explain what Telegram is? In a nutshell, this is the most popular messenger. If you are interested in how safe is telegram, see the article on this topic. VeePN has a detailed analysis of this.
#3 Attend language exchange events
Attending language exchange events can greatly benefit non-native English speakers, providing opportunities to practice language skills and meet new people. Language exchange programs offered by universities and community organizations enable you to interact with native English speakers, allowing you to hone your language skills while offering assistance with your own.
#4 Volunteer
Giving back to the community and making new connections, volunteering offers an excellent opportunity. Explore volunteer openings at your university or in your local community. Additionally, consider participating in events or supporting causes that align with your interests.
#5 Join an International Program
You can participate in an International Friendship program offered by many universities to connect with Australians who have a strong interest in building multicultural friendships. Foreign students from various corners of the world join, ensuring you won’t feel alone.
If you experience homesickness or need assistance in adapting to Australian culture and making friends, reach out to an international student advisor or another faculty member at your university or college. They will gladly engage in conversation and provide the support you seek. In Australian culture, we believe there is no shame in seeking help when it is needed.
#6 Watch Australian TV
You can consider watching Australian TV or discussing your classmates’ preferences on Netflix. If you need to unblock Netflix, check here one of the suitable VPNs for this purpose. Engaging with the shows that locals enjoy will provide you with interesting topics to talk about with your classmates.
#7 Connect with work colleagues outside of work
Brits typically socialize with work friends outside of work, which is common in many places in the UK. However, this practice may not be as prevalent in Sydney. One possible explanation is that the UK has a more transient population, resulting in a more inclusive and open attitude towards making friends. In Sydney, and likely in other capital cities across Australia, our followers have pointed out that spending time with work colleagues outside of work is less common. This might be due to people being busy with long-term friendships. If you’re curious about working in Sydney, feel free to explore our comprehensive guide comparing working in London to working in Sydney.
Furthermore, one of our followers mentioned that they spend a significant amount of their weekends connecting with family back home. As an expat, this gives them more opportunities to hang out with friends. However, it can be challenging to spend time with Australian friends when they prioritize quality time with their own families on weekends. As a result, ex-pats often form close bonds with fellow ex-pats in this scenario.
#8 Try being more open with strangers
Since I have resided in small regional towns across Australia, I have naturally developed a more open attitude towards engaging in conversations with anyone. This change becomes more evident when I return to Sydney. I have become more willing to strike up a conversation with strangers, and what surprises me is the general kindness of people. It’s interesting how individuals tend to be more reserved when living in cities.
Why not try engaging in a conversation with the barista at a coffee shop? You might be pleasantly surprised by the satisfaction of having a meaningful conversation that goes beyond the typical “Hey, how are you?” small talk without actually asking a direct question.
To wrap up
Making friends is easy if you really strive for it. Any acquaintance can be the one that changes your life. But for this you need to be open, polite and cheerful. These qualities are loved by all people in all countries. Don’t be afraid to seem stupid or get some kind of unpredictable reaction. Most people are the same and are also looking for friends, just not as actively or more shy.
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