Studying abroad is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of new places, people, and perspectives.
In the midst of preparing for this exciting experience, from submitting applications to sorting out housing, applying for visas, making travel arrangements, and so on, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important parts of the experience: how you’ll actually build those life-changing friendships once you’re there.
This post shares some of the lessons I learned about building meaningful relationships while navigating a study abroad experience.
1. Take Advantage of Built-in Social Opportunities
Throughout the first few weeks of the semester (or first few days of a short-term program), universities and study abroad programs often provide built-in opportunities for students to meet each other without the pressure of forcing awkward introductions. These can range from low-key dorm events and free walking tours to larger-scale cultural activities and excursions, and a plethora of other events designed to bring people together.
When I was in Edinburgh, the university’s Welcome Week events served not only as a way to familiarize myself with the city and the university community, but also as a low-pressure, low-effort setting to meet new people. During my first week in the city, I attended local walking tours, a dorm group hike, and my first-ever Ceilidh (traditional social gathering).
The start of a program or semester can be a great time to build connections, as many people are already in the mindset to make friends and will likely be open to socializing. Similarly to the atmosphere at The University of Texas at Austin during the beginning of the school year, people were especially open to introducing themselves to new people, starting spontaneous conversations, grabbing meals together, making plans, and casually hanging out. Many students were actively looking to meet people at that stage, and were not yet feeling overwhelmed by the demands of coursework.
At the same time, opportunities to connect did not disappear after the first few weeks. While the beginning of a program can be an especially easy time to form connections, staying open to later events and activities can be just as valuable for developing deeper and longer-lasting friendships.
Later in the semester, I continued meeting people through our residence hall’s Great British Bake-Off viewing parties, the annual rivalry rugby match against St. Andrews, and weekend trips organized by the Erasmus Student Network to places like Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye.
These kinds of events offered more than just social opportunities; they also created shared experiences through which people could discover Scottish and U.K. culture, travel together, and build friendships more naturally over time. They were also a convenient choice when the stress of coursework and assignments began to grow, as they removed the hassle of picking activities or organizing plans.
Even informal plans that you would likely already be making during a study abroad experience can become great opportunities to meet people. For me, exploring the city through coffee shops, museums, parks, and other landmarks was a major bucket-list item. So, if I wanted to plan a particular visit or activity, I would invite someone along and turn it into a shared experience that combined both exploration and socializing.
Many friendships start simply from doing activities together, like trying local food, attending cultural events, going on weekend outings, or just walking around the city after a class or event. Often, I would meet people at structured events, such as those during Welcome Week, and then continue spending time together through casual activities, allowing our friendships to develop over time.
2. Join Student Clubs, Societies, and Groups
One of the easiest ways to meet people while studying abroad is to join student clubs, societies, and interest-based groups. Cultural organizations, sports clubs, and activity-based societies are especially great for this.
I personally joined a Highland dancing group, which was a fun way to connect with culture, pick up a hobby, and even get in a workout, all while meeting and getting to know new people. I also joined a hillwalking society, which gave me the opportunity to explore the country, do something I enjoy, and naturally bond with others through hostel stays and rewarding hikes.
Using shared interests and activities as a starting point can often feel much easier than making connections through a “cold” introduction. Whether it’s through classes, clubs, housing, or travel, friendships tend to form more quickly when there is already a shared context bringing people together. The nice thing about these settings is that socializing happens naturally alongside the activity, which makes it feel less high-pressure and more organic.
3. Learn the Social Rhythm of Local Culture
Do students in y our program prefer to use WhatsApp, texting, or something else? Do people tend to make scheduled plans or have spontaneous hangouts? Are activities typically casual or structured? What local or on-campus spots are used for gatherings?
Learning about the social style of your host country, city, and school/program can go a long way in navigating relationship-building. For instance, as an American student in the U.K. I quickly learned the central and official role that pub culture plays in U.K. student life and society, which shaped many social events and casual meetups.
This also extends beyond social logistics into learning about the broader cultural context, including relevant historical background, social and societal dynamics, and everyday communication styles. Even though I studied in an English-speaking country, differences in slang, language use, directness, level of formality, and sense of humor took some time to get used to.
When in any new place, local references, expressions, abbreviations (and even inside jokes that naturally come up in conversation) can take time to learn. For exchange students, this can include campus-specific references (think Wampus, Jendy’s, The Drag, albino squirrels, etc.).
Rather than assuming that cultural and social differences are right or wrong, it can be helpful to observe before judging and give yourself time to adjust. Taking the time to learn about and understand how people naturally interact in your new environment is not only respectful, but can also help you feel more confident in social situations and make it much easier to build connections and friendships.
It should also be noted that while this can be especially helpful for building friendships, learning the social style of your host country and university is something all students studying abroad should prioritize, as societal and cultural fluency are essential for navigating daily life more broadly.
Check out Texas Global’s intercultural workshops and resources to develop your cross-cultural skills.
4. Say Yes More Than You Normally Would
As someone who considers myself somewhat of a homebody, I completely empathize with students who feel too busy with school or who sometimes see going out as an extra chore rather than a fun or relaxing pastime. It can be easy to stick to routines that feel comfortable, especially when you are adjusting to a new academic and social environment at the same time.
However, saying yes to activities that you might not typically do — or accepting invitations more often than you normally would — can make a huge difference in how quickly you build connections and settle into life abroad, especially with the limited time you have on a study abroad program. This could include group dinners, day trips, society events, or spontaneous plans made at the last minute.
One of my most memorable experiences in Edinburgh happened when I was debating whether to join a dorm residents’ hike up Arthur’s Seat; despite my reservations, I ended up going, anyway. Even though it was incredibly windy and chaotic, it turned into one of the most fun and bonding experiences — and I still have a camera roll full of wildly windblown hair to prove it!
Of course, while stepping out of your comfort zone can be rewarding, saying yes to some things doesn’t have to mean saying yes to everything. It’s important to balance social opportunities with your academic responsibilities and your physical and mental well-being. The goal is not to overextend yourself, but to be open to experiences you might normally turn down, especially during your limited time abroad.
5. Embrace Misunderstandings
Misunderstandings are almost inevitable when meeting people from different cultures and language backgrounds, but they are part of what makes studying abroad memorable and fun. Whether it’s confusion over slang, accidentally using the wrong word, cultural differences in communication, or simply mishearing each other, these moments can often turn into funny stories and bonding experiences rather than awkward situations. Sometimes the conversations you laugh hardest about later are the ones where nobody fully understood each other at first.
Meaningful cultural exchange and mutual learning naturally come with moments of confusion and adjustment on both sides. Approaching these moments with humor, patience, and curiosity can help ease tension and make conversations feel more natural. Embracing misunderstandings instead of fearing them can take away some of the pressure to always say the perfect thing or avoid awkward moments altogether.
At the same time, it’s OK to set boundaries if certain comments, assumptions, or questions make you uncomfortable. Some people may make assumptions about you based on your American, Texan, or other identity, or may push your boundaries due to cultural differences in social norms, but you are never obligated to tolerate disrespect or share more than you are comfortable with, even if the other person has good intentions.
While questions or assumptions you consider offensive may be seen as innocuous and appropriate in another person’s culture, being open-minded does not mean you should ignore your own comfort level. Try to assume goodwill on the part of the questioner and meet the offending question or comment with a calm and level reply that states your response without exacerbating the misunderstanding. Balancing openness with healthy boundaries can help create more positive, genuine friendships while abroad.
6. Expect Stereotypes and Use Them for Deeper Connection
While cultural misunderstandings are often lighthearted, some misunderstandings extend beyond the occasional cultural faux pas or statement that’s missed in translation.
Particularly as an American student from Texas, I frequently encountered people who made assumptions about what I would be like before getting to know me. In some cases, these perceptions were tied to broader assumptions and generalizations about the U.S. and Americans, while at other times they were connected specifically to stereotypes or misconceptions about Texas.
Being American can also, at times, invite strong opinions or negative stereotypes, particularly in conversations shaped by politics, media, or cultural assumptions. While it can be frustrating to encounter such perceptions, I found that I could use these moments to challenge stereotypes and assumptions through genuine, open conversation.
In these situations, I found it helpful to approach conversations with patience and give others the benefit of the doubt, treating the moment as a learning experience rather than a negative experience.
Many people I met had significant media exposure to America but limited personal experience with Americans, and through everyday interactions, some (in their own words) realized that the students they encountered were very different from the stereotypes they had expected, and had other misconceptions challenged or debunked.
At the same time, be aware that your personal opinions or experiences may be seen as representative of Americans more broadly, especially when they reinforce existing perceptions. This creates both a sense of responsibility and an opportunity to challenge perceptions in a constructive way.
By engaging openly and sharing perspectives honestly, I was able to have conversations that encouraged more nuanced understanding on both sides. Ultimately, these experiences showed me that cultural stereotypes can become opportunities for deeper connection when approached with openness, curiosity, and mutual respect.
7. Ask Questions About Others’ Cultures
Don’t be afraid to ask questions about people’s cultures, backgrounds, traditions, or daily life. Many people appreciate genuine curiosity and enjoy sharing parts of their culture with others, especially in an international environment or a cross-cultural dynamic where everyone is learning from one another. If questions naturally come up in conversation, it’s often better to ask respectfully rather than to avoid the topic altogether.
At the same time, it’s important to be mindful of cultural norms and personal boundaries. Be aware that while asking personal questions early in an interaction is completely normal in some cultures, in others, people may be more private with strangers or new acquaintances.
If you are uncertain, it can help to preface questions in a way that gives the other person space and choice, such as “If you feel comfortable sharing …,” or “Is it OK if I ask you a question about … ?”
Once you’ve asked the question, being respectful if someone does not want to share is just as important as showing curiosity. Approaching conversations with curiosity, respect, and openness can help create meaningful cross-cultural connections and friendships.
8. Learn to Be OK with Some Discomfort
Discomfort is often where the most growth happens; this is especially true of friendships and social relationships.
When studying abroad, you are not only adjusting to a new country and academic culture, but also learning how to connect with people who may communicate, think, or interact in different ways than you are used to. This all happens while you’re separated from your family, friends, and familiar environment — and possibly you’re navigating it all in a different language, as well.
This can sometimes lead to feelings of awkwardness, unfamiliarity, and discomfort, especially in the early stages of forming friendships, but it is a normal part of getting to know people across cultures. And working through uncomfortable moments in a friendship, including disagreements, tension, misunderstandings, or other challenges, can actually deepen those relationships and move them beyond a surface level.
At times, conversations may touch on deeper topics such as personal experiences, religious beliefs, or political and social views, especially in cultures where people communicate more directly about topics that might feel more sensitive or taboo in U.S. culture.
While some discomfort is a natural part of cultural exchange and learning, be sure to keep in mind that it’s also important to recognize your own boundaries and listen to yourself; Being open to growth should never come at the expense of your well-being.
9. Don’t Stick Only to People from Your Home or Host Country
Living and studying in a new country can be intimidating and come with a lot of adjustments and first-time experiences, so it’s completely natural to gravitate toward people from your home country who share similar backgrounds and experiences, or even friends from back home with whom you are studying abroad.
It’s also natural to want to be around people who are going through the same experience of studying abroad, as there can be a shared sense of nerves and mutual understanding when navigating this new experience.
At the same time, staying primarily within the same social circles may make it harder for others to approach or join in, limiting your opportunity to meet new people. In some cases, it can even unintentionally create a “cliquey” or culturally exclusive group dynamic that can feel unwelcoming to outsiders.
While there is nothing wrong with finding comfort in familiarity, it is important to maintain a balance and remain open to meeting and interacting with people outside your immediate group.
On the other hand, depending on the program, university, city, or country in which you are studying abroad, you may have the unique opportunity to meet people not only from the local culture, but also from all around the world.
Given the large proportion of international students at the University of Edinburgh, I regularly met people from every continent, which was something I wasn’t used to experiencing at UT. Some of the most meaningful conversations and friendships I formed came from connecting with people whose backgrounds and perspectives were completely different from my own or what I was familiar with.
If you focus only on befriending locals, you may miss out on valuable opportunities to connect with people from elsewhere. Staying open to a wide range of friendships can make your study abroad experience much richer and more memorable.
10. Don’t Overthink It!
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you first arrive in a new country, but making friends abroad is, in many ways, not that different from making friends at home. You already have the skills needed to connect with people — you’ve been doing it throughout your whole life!
The main difference when studying abroad is simply an increased awareness of the cultural context, not a complete change in who you are or how you interact.
Just talk to people as you normally would, ask questions that come up, and let conversations happen naturally without overthinking every cultural detail. You don’t need to censor yourself or constantly worry about saying the “perfect” thing.
In most cases, authenticity goes a long way, and being yourself is often what leads to genuine and easy connections that last beyond your time abroad.
Bonus Tips
Be Genuine, Not Impressive
Avoid trying too hard to “perform” or be interesting. Especially if you want deep connections that last beyond your semester abroad, authenticity is key.
Be Patient
In some cultures, people may hold different norms about what is appropriate based on the context, dynamics, or stage of a relationship. If they take longer than expected to open up, don’t misinterpret that as disinterest or distance. Friendships that are rushed or forced may be less likely to last.
Put in a Little Extra Effort
Follow up after meeting people and suggest plans, rather than waiting for someone else to initiate. Others may be just as nervous or hesitant as you — or even simply forgetful — and will often appreciate you for taking the first step.
Since people know you are only there for a short period, friendships can sometimes feel temporary to locals, so putting in extra effort can help strengthen the relationship and invite reciprocal behavior.
Maintain Friendships After Your Program
Make an effort to stay in touch after your program ends, since it’s easy for friendships to fade without shared classes, activities, settings, or routines. Unlike friendships at home, maintaining these connections may require more intentional effort due to distance, time zones, cultural and linguistic gaps, and different life contexts. If you invest in them, these relationships can become meaningful, lifelong friendships that last beyond study abroad.
Good luck to everyone setting out on their study abroad journey! It’s an incredible experience that can be just as challenging as it is exciting and rewarding.
I hope these tips help you feel more confident and intentional as you navigate making friends across cultures. If you stay open, take initiative, and put yourself out there, you’ll create connections that can make your time abroad truly unforgettable. I can’t wait for y’all to experience it!
This blog was contributed by Shana Richards, Peer Mentor for Spring 2026. Shana is a Plan II honors and social work student who studied abroad in London, England (May Term 2024 faculty-led program), and Edinburgh, Scotland (Fall 2024 exchange).
