Moving abroad can be exciting and lonely at the same time. Your Instagram might look like a dream, but your actual day to day can feel like a solo mission: new city, new language, new routines, zero built-in friends.
Traditional advice is often high pressure: Go network. Join events. Put yourself out there. Cool, but what if you are tired, introverted, socially rusty, or just not in the mood to “pitch yourself” to strangers after dealing with visas, housing, bank accounts, and work?
That is where low-pressure ways to make friends abroad come in. Instead of forcing conversations, you design situations where connection happens almost by default. No fake small talk. No “So, what do you do?” interrogations. Just shared experiences that quietly turn into friendships.
Below are 17 low-pressure ways to make friends abroad that are realistic for real humans, including when you are shy, overwhelmed, or starting from scratch.
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Why low-pressure ways to make friends abroad work better than forcing it
If you have ever gone to a big expat meetup and felt like you were speed dating 50 people at once, you already know: high-intensity social situations are exhausting, not efficient.
Low-pressure strategies work better because they:
- Reduce social anxiety
- Give you built-in conversation topics
- Let you see people repeatedly over time
- Create shared memories instead of awkward intros
- Fit around your actual life instead of demanding a whole new personality
The goal is not to become “super social.” The goal is to build a small, solid social base in your new city so you feel grounded, supported, and less like a permanent tourist.
1. Turn your everyday habits into low-pressure social anchors
You already have routines: coffee, groceries, walking the dog, gym, working from a cafe. Turn those into low-pressure ways to make friends abroad by making them consistent and local.
- Pick one coffee shop and become a regular
- Go to the same small market on the same days
- Use the same coworking space seat or area
- Walk your usual route at similar times
By repeating the same patterns, familiar faces appear:
- The barista remembers your order
- Another regular makes a quick comment
- You nod to the same people on your walk
- The coworker you see every Tuesday becomes a “hey, how’s it going?” person
Early stage social contact looks like nothing is happening. It is just micro interactions. But after a few weeks, those tiny moments stack into low-pressure openings:
“Hey, I always see you here. I am new in town by the way. I am [Name].” That one sentence plus shared routine is often enough to start something.
2. Join recurring classes instead of one-off events
One-off events are chaotic. You talk to five people, never see them again, and feel like you wasted energy. Recurring activities are perfect low-pressure ways to make friends abroad because repetition is doing the heavy lifting.
Good options:
- Language classes
- Yoga, Pilates, or dance
- Martial arts or boxing
- Climbing gyms
- Beach tennis, padel, or social sports leagues
- Cooking classes over multiple weeks
Instead of trying to “be charming” once, you show up repeatedly and let people warm up to you. Over four to eight sessions, you naturally sit next to the same person, share a laugh about a mistake, pair up for practice, or decide to grab a coffee afterward.
Pro tip: choose something where people talk between sets or exercises. A silent treadmill gym is not as helpful as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym, a climbing wall, or a conversational language class.
3. Use language exchanges the smart way
Language exchanges are a classic, but most people do them wrong. They treat them like formal study sessions instead of low-pressure ways to make friends abroad.
Instead of random one-off meetups where everyone leaves right after, look for:
- A recurring weekly language exchange at the same bar or café
- Smaller groups or “table style” formats where you sit with the same people
- Apps like Tandem or HelloTalk to find locals who want to practice, then suggest meeting in person once there is a vibe
Keep your goal clear: the language is the icebreaker, not the end goal. You are there to connect, not chase perfect grammar. External resource example (for structured exchanges):
- Tandem language exchange app
Show up consistently, sit near the same people, and be the person who suggests a drink or snack afterward: “Some of us are grabbing food after this. Want to join?”
4. Pick hobbies that naturally create small groups
Some activities are passive. Others naturally form small crews. If you want low-pressure ways to make friends abroad, choose hobbies that force you into teams or small pods.
Examples:
- Board game cafes
- Dungeons & Dragons groups or RPG nights
- Improv or theater groups
- Choirs or music jam sessions
- Surf schools or climbing partnerships
- Volunteer teams at local NGOs
Relationships grow faster when:
- You see each other regularly
- You work together toward a shared outcome
- You experience small challenges together (learning a song, finishing a climb, finishing a group project)
Those micro challenges build trust quietly. You do not have to “be interesting.” You just have to show up.
5. Use slow-burn digital tools instead of random swipes
You can absolutely use apps as low-pressure ways to make friends abroad, but you need to choose the right ones and use them intentionally.
Better options than endless dating swipes:
- Meetup for interest-based groups
- Facebook groups for your city or neighborhood
- Subreddits or Discord communities for expats, hobbies, or specific cities
- Bumble For Friends or similar “friend mode” apps
Key mindset: do not chase instant “best friend” vibes in one meetup. Use apps just to get in the same physical space as people you can see again. You are not trying to collect as many contacts as possible. You are trying to find a handful of people where it feels easy.
Read Also: Expat Community: 10 Powerful Ways to Find Belonging Abroad in 2026
6. Volunteer as a shortcut into local life
Volunteering is underrated. You get instant access to a community that already exists, plus you get to help.
Examples of low-pressure ways to make friends abroad through volunteering:
- Helping at an animal shelter
- Supporting refugees or language learners
- Joining food distribution or community kitchens
- Park or beach cleanups
- Event support for festivals or cultural centers
You are not just showing up as “the foreigner who wants friends.” You are showing up with a role and a purpose. That reduces awkwardness and makes it easier for people to see you as part of the group.
Search things like:
“[Your city] volunteer opportunities”
“[Your city] animal shelter volunteers”
Or ask your embassy, local universities, or international schools where people volunteer.
7. Turn coworking spaces into low-pressure social hubs
If you work remotely, coworking spaces can be powerful low-pressure ways to make friends abroad. But again, you cannot just sit with noise-cancelling headphones and expect magic.
Try this:
- Pick one coworking space and go at consistent times
- Join any free community lunches, drinks, or talks they run
- Use shared tables instead of hiding in a booth
- Ask one simple question a day, like “What are you working on?” or “Are you from here or abroad?”
Do not be the person trying to pitch their startup to everyone. Be the person who is friendly, relaxed, and occasionally suggests:
“Anyone up for a coffee break in 10 minutes?”
“I am grabbing lunch nearby. Want to join?”
You are not hosting a networking event. You are just nudging people into small, casual interactions.
8. Build “micro traditions” around food and drinks
Food is one of the easiest low-pressure ways to make friends abroad because almost everyone has to eat, and most people are happy to share that time.
Some ideas:
- Weekly “new place” lunch: invite one or two people you have met to explore a different cheap restaurant each week
- Sunday shared cooking night: you host simple pasta, tacos, or dumplings and ask guests to bring a drink or side
- Coffee walk: pick a route and invite one person at a time for a walk and coffee, which feels much less intense than a sit-down dinner
Keep it light and sustainable. You are not opening a restaurant. You are building rituals that make it easy to see people consistently.
9. Say yes to early invitations, especially in the first 30 days
Your first 30 days in a new city matter. If you are serious about low-pressure ways to make friends abroad, you need to get over one brutal truth: You will not feel like going out most of the time.
You are tired from moving, bureaucracy, language, and work. But saying yes early often leads to:
- Access to other groups and circles
- Being invited into group chats
- Meeting locals you never would have found alone
You do not have to say yes to everything forever. But in the first month, treat invitations like gold. Even if you only stay for an hour, you are playing a long game.
10. Use “second invitations” as your secret weapon
The real magic is not meeting someone once. It is following up once.
Most people never do this. They meet someone cool, say “We should hang out sometime,” and then let it die.
Here is a low-pressure script:
“Hey, good to meet you at [place]. I am checking out [cafe, park, event] on Saturday around 3. You are welcome to join if you are free.”
No pressure. No drama if they say no. But the people who say yes are telling you something: they are open to connection too.
Make it a rule: any time you meet someone you like, send one follow-up invite.
Read Also: Moving Abroad: The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Starting a New Life Overseas
11. Build a “tiny tribe” instead of chasing a huge social circle
You do not need 25 friends in your new city. You probably need:
- 1 or 2 “everyday life” people
- 1 activity-based friend (gym, surfing, dance)
- 1 local who helps you understand the city
- 1 or 2 other foreigners who get what you are going through
That is it. When you think in terms of “tribe” instead of “massive friend group,” low-pressure ways to make friends abroad feel a lot more achievable. Focus on:
- Depth over breadth
- Repeated hangs over constant new intros
People whose energy you actually like, not just whoever speaks your language
12. Make your home “social ready” without overcommitting
You do not have to be the unofficial hostel of the city. But having a “social ready” home makes it easier to use your space as one of the low-pressure ways to make friends abroad.
That can look like:
- A small table and enough chairs for 3 to 4 people
- Basic snacks or tea/coffee to offer
- A card or board game around
- A space that feels clean enough that you are not embarrassed to invite people
Host small, low-stakes things:
- Movie night with 2 friends
- Game night with 3 people
- Sunday morning coffee hangout before everyone’s plans
You are not throwing parties. You are offering a relaxed base camp.
13. Explore your city like a local, not like a tourist
Tourist checklists are solo friendly but do not always help you meet people. Shift your mindset: use exploration itself as one of your low-pressure ways to make friends abroad.
Ideas:
- Join free walking tours, but talk to other participants, not just the guide
- Take niche tours: street art, food, historical neighborhoods, bike tours
- Join local hiking groups on Meetup or WhatsApp
- Explore markets and chat briefly with vendors you see repeatedly
You can always follow up with:
“I am new here and exploring different parts of the city. Any favorite areas or hidden spots you recommend?”. People love to share their city. You are giving them a reason to talk, not forcing anything.
14. Embrace “slow friendships”: the 3 month rule
There is a quiet truth about low-pressure ways to make friends abroad: they are slow. You will not have a best friend in week 1. And that is fine. Think in terms of a three month rule:
- Month 1: meet many people, test different spaces
- Month 2: follow up with the people who felt easiest, see them again
- Month 3: small core forms almost on its own
If you always feel like you are “not connected enough yet,” remember that most people you meet are also busy, tired, and trying to figure out their own lives. Give the process some breathing room.
15. Have a simple introduction story ready
You will repeat your “origin story” a lot: why you moved, how long you are staying, what you do, what you are looking for. Make it clean and short. A simple story makes all low-pressure ways to make friends abroad smoother, because you are not rambling awkwardly every time someone asks.
For example:
“I moved here from [country] about two months ago. I work remotely in [field], and I am spending at least a year here to work, learn the language, and see if it feels like home.”
That is enough for people to ask follow ups without you dumping your entire life story on them.
16. Recognize cultural differences in “friendship speed”
In some cultures, friendship is quick and casual. You meet someone once, and you are invited to a family barbecue the next weekend. In others, people might seem polite but distant for months. If you want realistic low-pressure ways to make friends abroad, you need to keep an eye on:
- How locals actually socialize
- Whether they prefer home gatherings, bars, parks, or structured plans
- How much advance notice they need for plans
Watch what locals do, not just what they say. Then align your expectations. You are not broken if making friends is slow. You are just adjusting to a different social rhythm.
17. Use platforms like Aqee to shortcut the hardest parts
A lot of your energy abroad gets burned not on people, but on logistics:
- Visas
- Registration
- Banking
- Housing contracts
- Health systems
By the time you finish a day of calling offices and uploading documents, you have zero energy left to socialize. That is exactly why platforms like Aqee exist: to simplify bureaucracy and logistics so you can spend more of your limited energy on actual low-pressure ways to make friends abroad, not chasing paperwork.
Think of it as offloading the boring stuff so you have more bandwidth for the good stuff: quests, meetups, everyday rituals, and building a life that feels like yours.
Final reality check
There will be evenings where you feel lonely. Not every attempt will work. That does not mean you are bad at this. It means you are doing something difficult. If you focus on low-pressure ways to make friends abroad and let repetition, routines, and shared activities do most of the work, you give yourself a fair shot at building a real life in your new city:
- A coffee shop where they know your name
- A few people to text when something good or bad happens
- A routine that feels like your life, not just an extended trip
You do not need to be the most extroverted version of yourself. You just need to be the version of you that keeps showing up in small, sustainable ways. That is how strangers become neighbors. Neighbors become acquaintances. Acquaintances slowly turn into your people. And once you have your people, “abroad” starts to feel a lot more like “home.”
