How To Surround Yourself With The Right People

Living in a foreign country or new city can be tough, especially when you don't have the right people around you. Finding a supportive group of friends who understand your struggles and share your interests can make all the difference. After moving to a new country at the beginning of the pandemic and having lived in 4 countries overall, I've struggled several times with making new friends or generally finding like-minded people. In this post, we'll explore why it's important to surround yourself with the right people and give you some tips on how to do it when you're living abroad.

Why Surrounding Yourself with the Right People is Key

The people you surround yourself with can have a massive impact on your life. They can lift you up, provide emotional support, and introduce you to new experiences you might never have had otherwise. When living in a foreign country, having the right people around you is especially important. They can help you navigate the ups and downs of living in a new culture and make you feel more at home.

Here are some of the benefits of surrounding yourself with the right people:

• Emotional support: Living abroad can be lonely and isolating. Having friends who understand what you're going through can help you feel less alone and more connected.

• Networking opportunities: The people you surround yourself with can help you make connections that could lead to job opportunities or other exciting prospects.

• Cultural immersion: When you're living abroad, one of the best things you can do is immerse yourself in the local culture. The right people can introduce you to new customs, traditions, and experiences that you might have yet to discover on your own.

Before you start looking for the right people, it's important to define for yourself what you're actually looking for. Do you want to surround yourself with people that make you happy and you have fun with? Do you want to enhance your professional network for accelerating your career growth? Of course, ideally we would find people that check all boxes. However, that's super hard to find. So instead of finding or creating your circle, sometimes it's better to be part of few circles in order to make sure all your needs are met.

Tips for Finding Your Tribe(s) Abroad

So, how can you find the right people to surround yourself with when you're moving to a new city or country? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Join social clubs or groups: Whether it's a sports team, business club, or language exchange group, joining a social club or group is a great way to meet people who share your interests.

• Attend cultural events: Festivals, art exhibitions, and concerts are all great opportunities to meet people who are interested in the local culture.

• Volunteer: Volunteering is a fantastic way to give back to your new community while also meeting new people.

• Use social media: Facebook, Meetup, and other social media platforms can be great tools for finding events and like-minded individuals in your area.

• Attend a retreat: Attending a retreat might be a step out of your comfort zone, but it's a fantastic way to find like-minded people who are interested in personal growth and development. Retreats often offer workshops, activities, and group discussions that can help you connect with others who share your values and interests. This way you can expand your network with professionals from different parts of the world.

So far, probably you heard or read similar advice online or from your friends. The hard part is actually going out and meeting new people. What worked for me was starting with my hobbies. I started going out to play basketball, watching football games in bars, and attending live music events in small restaurants. That’s how I ended up getting to know most of my friends in Milan. Moreover, don’t push yourself too much. Going once a week, or once every two weeks to events or activities with new people is a great starting point, at least until you understand what you’re comfortable with.

For expanding your professional network, I highly recommend joining Nova Talent network.

In conclusion, by following these tips, you can expand your social network, boost your career growth, find emotional support, and immerse yourself in the local culture. So go out there, make some new friends, and start building the life you want!