Joining the expat community: How to find other expats while on assignment

If you’ve arrived in a new city where you don’t speak the local language, use this as a way to expand your friendship circle. Enrolling in a language class or taking private lessons can be an ideal opportunity to meet other expats from a variety of countries who are in the same boat as you.

As well as joining classes or courses, there are lots of language exchange options available too, which offer more personalised and one-on-one sessions. Attending a language exchange meetup is a great opportunity to befriend not only other teachers and expats, but the locals too.

In addition, using an online language app like MyLanguageExchange, HelloTalk and Italki is another way to learn a new language, and make some long-lasting friendships too.

Another great way to connect with other expats is through Facebook groups, online forums, blogs, and expat websites. Facebook has hundreds of location-based groups for expats and joining a group relating to your destination is a great way to find out what’s going on locally and meet new people.

As well as the traditional social networks, there are many social networks dedicated specifically to expats, including Meetup and Internations that can provide you with more opportunities to meet new people.

Meetup is a great tool for expats to make connections in a new city. Here you can find vibrant and welcoming groups for just about any activity from drinks with your fellow expats to cinema nights, language cafes and hiking groups. If you can’t find a Meetup to fit your interest, create a group of your own for expats nearby.

In addition, Internations is a global networking community that actively seeks to connect people both online and at their many in-person events. Other popular alternatives to connect you with like-minded expats include websites like Expat Buddy and Expat Finder.