Adjusting to City Life: Strategies for a Rapid Settle
In the exciting journey of starting a new chapter in a new city, building friendships is a crucial aspect of feeling at home. Here are some key strategies to help you make friends and acclimatize to your new university environment.
Firstly, engage in campus and local activities. Join university clubs, attend freshers' events, and participate in hobby or local interest groups such as pottery classes, dance, or sports. Shared activities ease natural conversations and foster faster friendships [1][3][5].
Be open and proactive. Say yes to social invitations, compliment new acquaintances to start conversations, keep your dorm door open, and don't hesitate to introduce yourself or join others in dining halls or study groups [1][5].
Explore your new city. Spend time off-campus by wandering markets, trying street food, visiting local events and galleries, or bookshops. This helps you feel connected to your new environment and may lead to meeting more people [2].
Use existing networks. Connect with any known friends or acquaintances from the university or city to gain wider social circles through their introductions [1].
Balancing socializing with alone time is essential. Allow yourself moments to recharge so you can be more present and positive in social settings, helping you avoid burnout and stay healthy during the transition [1].
Remember names and show genuine interest. Make an effort to remember people's names and listen genuinely, which signals friendliness and helps deepen connections [1].
Don't limit yourself to one group. Early on, it's normal to meet many different people; diversify your social circles to enrich your university experience [2][1].
The Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) offers volunteer opportunities in various departments, including education, international activities, and press and public relations. While this is not explicitly stated as a way to make friends, it can still be a means to meet new people [3].
The University Sports Institute Vienna offers over 160 different sports and around 1200 courses per semester, providing opportunities to take a sports class and meet new people [4].
Hosting events such as parties, dinners, or movie nights can also help you meet new people [1].
Exploring the city as a tourist by using public transportation, Big Bus tours, or self-guided tours can help you feel more familiar with your new surroundings [5].
If living in a dormitory, it provides a platform for making new friends with other students [6].
There are events for first semester students at universities to help with orientation and making new contacts [7].
Making friends involves getting out of one's comfort zone, being authentic, and talking to new people [8].
Apps like Bumble BFF and Meetup can help you find potential friends or participate in events with people who share similar interests [9].
Remember, it's natural to have concerns about making friends, navigating the city, and filling your time. Taking a walk around the city without a specific destination can be a fun way to discover new areas [10].
For those seeking employment, tips for applying for a student job are available to help secure a dream job, and a list of popular and lucrative jobs for students has been created [11].
The article also mentions volunteering opportunities through ÖH Austria, but this is not explicitly stated as a way to make friends [12].
Sources:
[1] Christina Pichler, September 23, 2021 [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Unspecified sources
Engage in activities that blend your personal interests with your new lifestyle, such as joining home-and-garden clubs or workshops to connect with like-minded individuals [3].
Transform your dorm room or apartment into a welcoming space that reflects your personality, encouraging friendships with your roommates or flatmates [6].
