A Homebody’s Guide to Socializing While Studying Abroad

By the time I found myself on an 11-hour flight to London, I had only exchanged phone numbers with my new roommate. 

By the time I was standing outside the door of my flat in central Oxford with two extremely overweight checked bags, a stuffed carry-on, and seven flights of stairs before me, I had only powered through a few awkward conversations over text with said roommate. 

Needless to say, standing there, I had a sudden, visceral feeling that I was already failing socially (and as a roommate). I am pleased, however, to announce that your friendly-neighborhood introvert, who has never been particularly blessed in the social skills department, was, in fact, able to gather around themselves a lovely little community while abroad – including my wonderful roommate.

As such, to save you from unnecessary trepidation, I’ve gathered several relatively low-effort ways to get involved socially while studying abroad.

1) PICK STUDENT HOUSING 🚨

When you sign your contract for student housing, you are also signing yourself up for some built-in friendships in your future. Forced proximity while abroad, I promise, can be a very helpful thing. It’s easy to isolate yourself when you find yourself in a new setting, but when you live steps away from people, it becomes a little harder to avoid human contact.

The people you live with while studying abroad can very well become life-long friends simply because you accidentally ran into them in the kitchen while they attempted to save burning water or as they struggled with the possessed washing machine.

 

2) MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS 🖼️

 

Outside of the United States, publicly funded spaces such as museums and libraries are not only free to access but often offer opportunities to engage with your community by hosting free workshops open to the public. Countries like Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain, which are also among the three most sought-after study abroad locations according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors data, are part of the long list of countries that conduct year-round workshops, panels, and clubs in their state-run museums and libraries. 

I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to meet some truly talented people and acquire a new hobby in the process.

 

3) JOIN A SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAPTER ⚖️

Activism and volunteer work while abroad can provide you with opportunities to meet people who share the same core values and morals as you.  After all, studying abroad doesn’t have to signify an end to your political efforts. In fact, you can mitigate some of that dissonance between your current life and your life back home by participating in activities that are already familiar to you or that benefit those in your hometown.

 

Ultimately, your social success while abroad requires active participation. It’s essential to strike a balance between applying pressure and showing grace to yourself when it comes to connecting with others.

Happy socializing, 

Wren 

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