Is It Easy to Make Friends While on a High School Abroad Program?
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Studying abroad in high school is an exciting adventure, but figuring out how to make friends abroad can be nerve-wracking.
Don't worry! Not only is it easy to make friends while living abroad, but these friends will also enrich your experience, make the unfamiliar environment feel more like home, and they may even become lifelong companions.
So how do you actually make friends while going to high school abroad for a semester or an academic year? Here are some practical tips on how to make friends while traveling and create lasting memories.
Remind Yourself That Making Friends Will Be a Lot Easier Than You Think!
Remember that you have already done a lot of the leg work when it comes to "fitting in" in your new study abroad home. You've likely spent months or even years learning the language or understanding the culture, and you have chosen to go to high school there because it's a place that you are very interested in and curious about.
The great news is that you will meet people who will appreciate your interest in their culture, and they’ll want to know about yours, too.
The same way you are interested in meeting people from a new culture, local teenagers are also interested in making friends from abroad. This amps up your cool factor and people will be very curious to get to know you.
Mutual curiosity is essential to friendship building!
Beyond locals, you will connect with other American students studying abroad alongside you. Of course, you will have a lot in common with them! This shared experience will create an instant bond.
Whether you are getting to know a local or another international student studying abroad, making a new friend is all about showing interest. Ask questions, listen, say "yes" to hanging out, and have a positive attitude.
Prepare for Your Journey
As your high school study abroad trip approaches, four important steps will help you feel ready and confident: contact previous study abroad participants, take advantage of CIEE's Pre-Departure resources and connect with your host family before you arrive. These preparations will ensure you feel equipped to connect with others and make the most of your experience.
1. Contact Previous Study Abroad Participants
Did you know you can contact previous participants of your high school study abroad program? CIEE can help you get in touch with students who studied in the same place where you are going. They can give you advice on how to make friends and even connect you with some of their friends.
2. Take Advantage of Your Pre-Departure Resources
CIEE provides essential information about your program, including rules, academic expectations, health and safety guidelines, packing tips, and travel advice. By familiarizing yourself with these details, you'll feel confident and prepared, making it easier to connect with others. You'll also meet your other participants, allowing you to build connections before you arrive.
3. Connect With Your Host Family Before You Arrive
Connecting with your host family before you leave the U.S. is a great way to set yourself up for success. You can share photographs, exchange emails, and chat through text messages.
Your host family can provide valuable insights about the neighborhood, local customs, and what to expect. Building a rapport with them will give you a supportive base and helpful advice, making it easier to form friendships once you arrive.
Make Local Friends with the Help of Your High School Study Abroad Program Friends
It will be surprisingly easy to bond with other students who are attending your program. You are all experiencing the same thing and will have plenty to talk about as well as plenty of positive experiences you will share together.
Don't shy away from these friendships because you think you should focus instead on making local friends who speak the language you are studying. You don't need to limit yourself!
In fact, the friends you make from your program can be a key asset in approaching local high schoolers. You might feel more comfortable approaching people with a buddy from your high school study abroad program. For some people, small groups are easier to navigate than one-on-one.
Spend Time Exploring Your New Environment
Great friendship-building activities involve a common interest. Rather than overthinking and trying to go to the correct activity or being in the exact right place, just pursue interests you enjoy as friendship-building activities, and you will find like-minded friends.
Find things you want to do in your area, whether going to a local park, studying at a café, attending a music performance, or browsing a bookstore. Invite someone from your school, your host family, or another international student you've wanted to get to know to join you.
At the beginning of your trip, you might be tempted to stay in or only spend time with other international students in the same program but push yourself out of your comfort zone. It will be worth it.
Exploring what your location has to offer will appeal to anyone, including local teens and study-abroad students alike. We often forget to explore the places we live, taking opportunities for granted, so don't assume that a local teen won't want to do something touristy.
If they have done the activity already, they will probably love sharing some of the highlights of where they live with new people!
Meaningful Friendships Await You on Your High School Semester Abroad
No matter what high school semester abroad program you choose, you will surely have a deeply meaningful experience surrounded by people you would never have met otherwise. They will change your life for the better, adding meaning, fun, learning, and joy.
It’s perfectly natural to worry about how to make friends while traveling, but it will be much easier than you think. You’ve got this!