Living abroad opens doors to exciting new friendships and cultural experiences. Expats and world travelers form a unique community—curious, open-minded, and eager to explore the world. These global connections often lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals who share a passion for adventure and diversity.
Beyond expanding your social circle, making friends abroad enriches your perspective, strengthens cross-cultural understanding, and enhances your overall expat experience.
Here are the top benefits of forming international friendships and how they differ from your friends at home:
1. They're from all over the world.
Meeting people abroad is one of the best ways to expand your social circle and form lifelong friendships with people from all over the world. Whether you connect with locals or visit popular expat hubs, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded travelers and fellow expats from other countries looking to make friends.
Building friendships across different cultures allows you to experience new traditions, customs, and perspectives—all without having to travel to every destination. By forming international connections, you create a global network that enriches your life and broadens your worldview.
2. They have international mindsets.
The people you meet while living abroad come from diverse backgrounds, often with a shared passion for travel, cultural exploration, and global connections. Many have already traveled extensively, while others have a deep curiosity to explore new destinations and learn about different cultures.
Unlike those who stay rooted in one place, expats and world travelers tend to be more open-minded, globally aware, and interested in international affairs—not just focused on what’s happening in their home country. This shared curiosity creates a strong foundation for meaningful friendships and cross-cultural exchange.
3. They become your family.
Most people who move or travel abroad don’t bring their family with them. That means they depend more heavily on the friends they make abroad to be there for them. People who become friends abroad develop intimacy and trust more quickly than they would with people in their home country, often out of necessity.
Living abroad can be lonely at times, which is what makes people abroad so open to being introduced to new people. When you don’t have your family or friends, who do you celebrate holidays with? The friends you've made abroad!
4. You bond over learning about new cultures.
While exploring a new country, you’ll naturally find like-minded travel companions who share your sense of adventure. These “partners in crime” will join you in discovering new places, trying local foods, and navigating cultural differences together.
Adapting to a new culture alongside new friends creates a strong bond and enhances your overall experience. Whether you’re an expat, digital nomad, or traveler, forming these friendships makes adjusting to life abroad easier and more enjoyable.
5. They’re more open-minded.
The friends you make abroad are often fellow travelers or locals who are eager to connect with people from different backgrounds. This shared interest in cultural exchange makes them naturally more open-minded, welcoming new friendships, ideas, and experiences with curiosity rather than judgment.
Unlike the average person, open-minded individuals are less likely to make snap judgments and more willing to embrace diverse perspectives. This creates a strong foundation for meaningful international friendships that broaden your worldview and enhance your travel experience.
6. You get to share your cultures.
One of the most rewarding aspects of making friends in a foreign country is the chance to share your culture with others. Whether it’s cooking a favorite dish, introducing your friends to music from home, or celebrating a beloved tradition, you get to bring a piece of your culture to new places.
At the same time, you’ll experience authentic cultural exchange, learning about local customs, foods, and traditions from your new friends in a personal and meaningful way.
7. You can learn about your own country.
While living abroad, you’ll inevitably meet people from your home country—but chances are, they won’t be from your exact hometown. That’s where things get interesting! Connecting with people from different states, provinces, or cities gives you a fresh perspective on your own country, exposing you to regional cultures, traditions, and lifestyles you may not have explored before.
Beyond the cultural exchange, these friendships can lead to exciting travel opportunities—you might just gain a local guide and a place to stay if you ever visit their hometown in the future!
8. You can pick up another language.
If you have the patience, one of the most effective and immersive ways to learn a foreign language is by befriending or dating a native speaker. Engaging in frequent conversations with a native speaker is like having a 24/7 language lesson—but way more fun and natural.
Not only will you improve your language skills faster, but you’ll also gain insights into the culture, slang, and nuances that textbooks can’t teach. Plus, building a personal connection makes the learning process more rewarding and enjoyable!
