As someone who was always too shy to introduce myself to new groups of people and make instant connections, moving to a new location led to uncertainties. Even at Berkeley, it felt as if it took an entire year to truly develop deep connections and make new friends. Since I was only studying abroad for a semester, I knew I didn’t have much time to make new friends. After spending my first couple weeks here, I have four tips for meeting people in a new city.Â
1. Go to events you find interesting even if you don’t know anyoneÂ
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve attended various events from film screenings, crocheting in the park, hike climbs, sessions drawing outside, and live music sessions. Normally, I would convince one of my friends to go with me. Being in a new city, I learned the best thing to do is to just go and not wait for someone. Despite not knowing anyone at these events, I’ve always ended up meeting new people and plan on getting to know them more during future events.Â
“Being in a new city, I learned the best thing to do is to just go and not wait for someone.”
2. Make an effort to introduce yourselfÂ
If you are going to events by yourself, chances are you are meeting other people who also don’t know anyone or are open to meeting new people. I’ve noticed that all it takes to start a conversation is introducing yourself. When attending a new event, I found it best to simply introduce yourself and see where the conversation takes you. This proved to be especially true in my flat. In the beginning, we would have awkward and silent interactions seeing each other in the kitchen, but now we can eat dinner and cook together at night!Â
3. Using Social MediaÂ
One way I’ve noticed to maintain the new connections made is by using social media to continue contacting them. Through this way, even after meeting just once, you can continue to establish a relationship and maintain contact with them. I attended an international student social where we did a tour of the city. After the event, I was able to continue to stay connected with the people I met through social media. Since then, I’ve planned a trip to Paris and Portugal with my new friends. We’ve also gotten to know each other as we explored the city together and tried new experiences such as visiting the castle and making fake potions at a Harry potter store.Â
4. Try new thingsÂ
Trying something new that you have never done before has become some of the best ways to develop friendships and make new friends. I joined EUTV, the TV filming club on campus since I was curious about camerawork and editing. Not knowing a single person, I showed up to the first social event and was instantly introduced to a group of creative people who just loved making films. My first project I helped with was their new series “TirED” where they try various Edinburgh famous foods. They taught me how to film on the camera and set up audio. I walked around the city with a camera while they introduced the restaurant and filmed themselves trying Nandos chicken, a popular spot near campus. It was also my first time being on camera, and I ended up having the best time not only meeting new people but learning how to record videos on the camera.Â
Although it’s only been a couple weeks, I’ve learned a lot about not only myself but also how to create new friendships in a new environment. Since arriving, I’ve been able to try new hobbies and activities and meet people from all around the world.