Most say that lifelong friendships are formed when living and working abroad. Make the most of your experience by broadening your social horizons.
Moving overseas to work or volunteer is a commitment, to a new place, a new job, and most of all new people. At the same time, those moving overseas leave their family, boyfriends, girlfriends and friends behind. Not having a support network while undertaking a major life change is not easy. Luckily, most volunteering programs are brings volunteers in groups, meaning that new volunteers are exposed to a instant social circle of similarly minded, socially conscious volunteers who are sharing the experience with you.
But you shouldn't stop your social circle there. While you can (and will) meet amazing, interesting people in your volunteer corps, to get a real culturally immersive experience, meeting friends your own age who are native to your host country is key.
This is a daunting task, to be sure. Making friends under any circumstances, without the language barrier or time constraints, is not an easy thing, especially in the increasingly digitized, computer-driven social world. While there are opportunities in the clubs, pubs and dancehalls, the best way to meet people is to think outside the box.
If you are volunteering abroad or working overseas, meeting people isn't as much of a challenge. The local staff that you see everyday will be interested in your own story, and your own cultural quirks. A great way to start a conversation is with a simple "Do you have any children/brothers/sisters?" You can even carry a photo of your family with you to show to your co-workers.
But what about the world beyond work or your volunteer corps social circle? There are many ways to get to know people, without being too pushy or over the top.
Take a dance class - While some classes will be geared towards tourists, but if you ask around enough, you'll be able to find a little whole in the wall salsa, meringue or other dance club that gives lessons on weeknights. This is a great opportunity for a group of friends, but even better to do alone. You'll have to be paired with a stranger, which is scary and first, but will ultimately lead to conversation, and great dancing.
If someone invites you somewhere, go - Of course, safety is always an issue, and this rule does not apply to every random guy on the street. But for many shy people, living away from everyone you know is an opportunity to go outside of your comfort zone. Even if you wouldn't normally say yes to Sunday brunch with your supervisor and his family, now is the time to take a leap.
Talk to strangers - Again, this has limits. But you'd be amazed at how interesting the lives of taxi drivers, waitresses and street vendors are. These people can teach you loads about the "ins and outs" of city or rural living. Comment on the weather; compliment what someone is wearing...anything to start even a short conversation. This will not only help expand your social horizons, but your language skills as well!
These are just a few tips to take to heart. Working abroad, whether volunteering in some way or teaching ESL, can be a life altering experience. Take maximum advantage of the opportunity to meet new friends and soak up the local culture.
Jobs abroad is just one of Lisa Jenkins' specialties. Jenkins writes about working and volunteering abroad for a free website: JobMonkey. She teaches college aged individuals and recent grads how to work abroad and about the different types of job opportunities from youth volunteering to teaching ESL.
Hi
ReplyDeleteVolunteering in the dictionary is defined as the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and service. To some this may seem as work or hard labor and many people tend to avoid volunteering.
volunteer abroad