5 Easy Ways to Build Community in a Foreign Country.
Living in a foreign country can be wonderful on so many levels, but it can also be hard, really really hard. Whether you moved to a foreign country by yourself or with a partner, it can still feel hard to settle in and know your place. A huge reason for this is because there is a lack of community we feel. Some people might find their community faster than others, especially if they’re extroverts. But, whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, here are 5 easy ways to build community:
- Join a social media page: Join a social media page that is specific to the location that you live in. When our family moved to Kampot, Cambodia we joined a Facebook group “The Kampot Noticeboard”.- I would, also, suggest joining one of these groups before you even make the move. The page alone, might not help you build community, but it’s an opportunity to reach out to people that already live there. The Noticeboard was incredibly informative when it came to the happenings of the town. Also, in general, people tended to be incredibly helpful when we had a question. In foreign countries, these pages are mostly started by other foreigners that have lived in that region for a while, but many locals follow it, too.
2. Visit the same cafe or restaurant consistently: When you think about it, every social group in nature has its version of a watering hole. Find your spot and be consistent. It is much easier to build community when people know who you are. Engage in conversation with others while you’re there! You might be completely surprised by who you’ll meet.
3. Take a class: Taking a class is another way to add social interaction to your schedule. You immediately have a shared experience when you take a class with someone else. If you are in a country where they speak a different language than you, take a class to learn the language – this will help you build community organically. If you already speak the language, take something fun, like a dance or yoga class, or learn something new.
4. Volunteer: Similarly to taking a class, when you volunteer, you are involved in a shared experience with someone. Depending on what country you’re living in, you might find an array of interesting volunteer opportunities. Sometimes you can find these opportunities by asking around on the local social media page, or could drop by an individual business and just simply ask if there is anything they need volunteers for. – My first choices would be small art galleries or schools.
5. Invite people over to your place: Once you have done all the other things, and you have had an opportunity to meet people from the area, invite them over. Start a book club, or just simply have a dinner party. This is a great way to build lasting memories with those in your community.
For someone like me, who tends to be a little more introspective, or tends to overthink relationships these were things that I need to remind myself to do. Over time, a community will come.
Depending on who you are and your personality type, building a community might look different. Since this is something I would like to continue to improve myself, I would love to hear your thoughts on some of your favorite ways to build community.
