Why you should befriend another expat?

Befriending another expat/immigrant/ mover/ (You can choose any term you wish in here) after moving abroad can have many benefits for your personal and professional life. After moving abroad many people find themselves in a situation where they hardly know locals. You might even feel guilty for not “blending in”. 

Think of it this way, when you still lived in your home country, were you open to new friendships or did you even engage in situations where you might have befriended a foreigner? Unless you were a liaison student for Erasmus students most likely the answer would be no and no.
In many cases the locals have their family and friends around them. They might have set traditions to spend holidays in a particular way which can even increase into your feelings of loneliness and seclusion. 

Other immigrants, digital nomads, expats and erasmus students on the other hand are in the same situation as you are. They have left everything, Friday night fish and chips or pub quiz nights with friends, family dinners and regular gym buddies. They know what you are going through. 

 Here are my four reason why you should befriend another expat and three most common problems you might face with possible solutions.

1 You can share your experiences and challenges of living in a new country. 

Another expat can understand what you are going through and offer you support, advice, and empathy. You can also learn from each other's mistakes and successes, and exchange useful tips and resources

 2 You can explore the new culture and environment together. 

Another expat can be your travel buddy, your language partner, or your cultural guide. You can discover new places, try new foods, or join new activities together. You can also help each other overcome cultural barriers and adapt to the local customs. 

3  You can expand your social and professional network. 

Another expat can introduce you to their friends, colleagues, or contacts, and vice versa. You can also join expat groups, clubs, or events that match your interests and hobbies. You can meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, and professions, and make valuable connections. 

4  You can have fun and enjoy your expat life. 

Another expat can be your source of entertainment, laughter, or comfort. You can share jokes, stories, or memories that only expats can relate to. You can also celebrate holidays, festivals, or special occasions together. You can make your new life more exciting and fulfilling.

It’s not all cotton candy skies though. Some common challenges of befriending another expat can be: 

Coping with the culture shock.

 Befriending another expat can help you deal with the stress and disorientation of living in a new country, but it can also prevent you from fully immersing yourself in the local culture. You may miss out on learning the language, customs, and values of your host country if you only socialize with people who share your background and perspective.  

Solution: Embrace your new home together. Find people who share your interests in familiarizing yourselves with your new home country's customs. Together it can also be easier to approach your neighbors and join their fiesta or ask the neighbor granny to teach you a local dish. 

The pressure to get it right.

 Befriending another expat can create a sense of competition or comparison, especially if you are both working or studying in the same field or environment. You may feel pressured to perform better, adapt faster, or achieve more than your expat friend, or vice versa. You may also feel insecure or jealous if your expat friend seems to have an easier or more successful expat life than you.

Solution: Happiness or success are not in limited quantities, If they do well, it doesn’t mean you will do badly. Celebrate each other's victories and support each other in times of trouble.

The risk of losing touch. 

Befriending another expat can be challenging because of the transient nature of expat life. You or your expat friend may move to another country, return to your home country, or change your plans at any time. This can make it hard to maintain a consistent and lasting friendship, especially if you rely on physical proximity or face-to-face interaction. You may also drift apart if your interests, goals, or values change over time.

Solution: Accept that nothing in life is permanent. You can enjoy the best of times together. Create unique memories and have crazy stories. It doesn’t mean you need to be joined from the hip for the rest of your lives.
Love and cherish what you had and send them christmas cards with small inside jokes. Time or distance will never take away your time together and who knows maybe someday, somewhere, your paths will cross again.