She person studying abroad - make friends?

LegacyUser

Hi,
So I'm going on an erasmus year (studying for a year in Europe) but I'm a really shy person and worried about making friends when I get there.

I'm not really confident and I'm worried that I won't make any friends while there because I don't really talk in a group and can't introduce myself to random people.

I'm starting to get worried. Its not too late to pull out but it isn't something I want to do.

Any tips for making friends while there. I'll be staying in student accommodation with mostly international students.

I'm not going to an English speaking country but the university does most courses in English (I don't speak an other language)

So any Tips on making it better.

MrScootch

You should definitely go.

Confidence isn't automatic, you gain confidence by doing things.
Think about learning to ride a bike, you don't start off confident, you start off wobbly and scared. As you gain familiarity with the situation you start to become more skilled and more confident and socialising is just the same.

A great way to make friends is to find people who are interested in the same thing as you are by doing classes or joining clubs. Practice breaking out of your comfort zone by doing little things. Going up to strangers and asking the time if that's something you'd avoid doing, or something like that.

gubbie

From what I know, there's an Erasmus network (ESN?) which organises a lot of social events in different places. Or at least I knew two people who did Erasmus and thats what their experience was.

Where you going?

HalloweenJack

Go. It's a great experience. You'll find that being in a new setting with different people will help you relax and it will be easy to meet new people. Remember, all the other people that are going will be in the same situation as you.

When I did Erasmus, there were so many events organised that it was impossible to not meet new people everyday. Even after a few months, I was meeting other Erasmus students and found we had friends in common. There'll also be such a big group of people that you will be able to move in different circles and quite easily meet new people if you don't like the ones you first meet.

I had similar problems as you before I went to Erasmus and the whole experience helped me overcome a lot of them. It was really great. At first, you will have to force yourself somewhat to socialise but it will be great once you get over that initial awkwardness.

purplepapillon

Hi OP,

I was in the same situation a few years back, and went, as you are, very unsure and anxious.

However, as others have said, there are events organised (sometimes language courses in the first week) where you meet so many people, and swap numbers. With facebook, it will be even easier nowadays to create an event and share it, and meet different groups and individuals.

My Erasmus year built my confidence from being a shy girl to an outgoing one - I find talking to new people easy now. It helps with travelling, staying in hostels, work and social activities.

You'll have a ball! Enjoy

QuantumP

In the same boat. Heading to Austria in September, was sweating booking my flight haha. Obviously nervous about it but I take comfort in knowing all the other international students are in the same boat so.

As well as an orientation week where I'm guessing we'll be doing bonding activities and fun stuff haha. Partly chose to go as I want to become comfortable with meeting new people and the only way to learn that is practice!

So I've decided I'm never going to refuse an invitation for anything once I'm there, keep smiling and if there's any Spanish students thanks to Meteor I know how to tell them their ears are delicious. (Just hope they get the humor haha).

Wish me luck! And good luck to you too OP!