Having studied at Monash University myself, I’ve seen how much genuine friendships enhance your study abroad experience.
It is a rewarding feeling to know you’ve come to another country and successfully built a new social network for yourself. Below are some tips, pointers and first-hand experiences to help you settle in Australia.
Initiate – what worked for me
I didn’t know a soul upon arriving at Monash. It’s fair to say there were a few butterflies before my first day. However, I took some advice and saw it as an opportunity to make a new, fresh start.
What worked was throwing myself into new events and clubs I never would have tried in London. At home, you likely have an established idea of yourself and where you fit in. Moving abroad is a chance to keep the parts of you that you love and throw in new hobbies and friendships to develop your character.
Admittedly, I felt foolish at first, trying Yoga, Pilates and joining a drama club. This being especially the case as my interests at home had been boxing, football and drinking at the student bar!
This curiosity for a lifestyle change was a springboard to make friends. These new hobbies naturally led to coffees, other activities including beach days and nights out, plus helped with my studies.
The best course of action is action. Nobody knows you! Now is the time to try new things. I enjoyed the challenge of starting from scratch, it’s amazing fun.
Consistency
Building friendships takes time. Once you have struck up a shared interest with someone, follow things through. Add their details on socials, and drop them a friendly message if you’ve clicked with them in person!
When you follow up with others, you build trust and confidence. If you say you will contact someone and follow through, you are helping yourself, too. Like anything, it’s forming a habit that will help you for the rest of your life.
Be positive, proactive and excited to share who you are.
Everyone is busy
Rejection is natural and isn’t personal. Some successful friendships come after a slow burn of communication.
People might be contending with a lot in their own lives, and might not be as quick as you to get established. From health insurance to banking, setting up in a new place takes time and perseverance.
If someone doesn’t reply, don’t sweat it! There are plenty of other social outlets and new people to meet. Put it down to experience and move on to the next opportunity.
Try old things in a new way
Breaking the ice in Australia can come from using old habits in new ways. For example, as a lifelong soccer fan, I decided to use that interest as a way of making friends in Australia.
I joined my local supporters’ club after finding it on social media, and decided to watch a game in the city. Here, I found a new perspective on my club and a lifelong friend, whom I still speak to today!
I found people who had a deep passion for soccer and my club, who were eager to hear about first-hand experiences from a local London supporter. Meanwhile, I bonded with my now great friend, a fellow supporter from regional Victoria.
This started a beautiful friendship. I ended up visiting regional Victoria to watch many soccer games with him and learn immensely about Australian culture outside of university.
You undoubtedly will have a lot to offer your new friends from home. They’ll be eager to learn about what you do for fun, and this can form lifelong friendships. Use what you can!
Making friends at work
Being an international student in Australia entitles you to work here, too. Making friends at work outside of your university will give you a wider perspective on Australia.
During my studies, I had a host of part-time jobs in different sectors. These not only enhanced my life skills but also enabled me to make friends outside the ‘bubble’ of university. This allows you to learn about local hotspots, places to eat and other social activities from local Australians.
What you learn from work, you can bring back to your new friends at university, and bring the two worlds together. You’ll learn about suburbs and areas that only locals would know! Combining the two is a great advantage.
Some of the closest friendships I’ve made started with a simple hello, and yours can too!
