You just moved 8,000 miles away to a new country in a new continent - getting ready to start a new life. You finally stepped into that long-awaited Spanish dream and now you are thrilled to visit the beautiful destinations that you've just seen on Instagram, in magazines, and movies. Even your OOTD is all planned out. And yet there seems to be one big problem: You have no one to do it with. You have no one to enjoy the moments with. What's a girl to do?
I know the feeling. I've been there before. Moving to a new country is not always easy and albeit moving to a place without knowing a single soul can sound romantic and exciting at first, once you're settled in and realize how alone you truly are, it can get quite overwhelming.
Good news is that you're in one of the most sociable countries in the world where social life is highly prioritised. So, even if you haven't met anyone yet, rest assured, you won't stay friendless for long. To give your friendship journey a boost, here are some tried-and-true methods for meeting new friends in España:
Make friends where you are (ie: school/class/flat/gym) - Whether you're doing Bachelors, Masters, Spanish language programs, gym classes, or sharing flats with other international students, this present an ideal chance to forge new friendships that could last a lifetime. Take the initiative to introduce yourself and discover common interests. Arrange fun plans. Go on hiking, play volleyball at the beach, go for picnic at the park, or just walk around Spain's beautiful streets. There's so much things to see and it's more fun to share the view with newfound friends around you ♡
Leverage Online Platforms - In this digital age and time, making connections has never been easier. Join local Facebook groups (my favourite is GGI Madrid), join Internations, download the Bumble BFF app (yes, bumble has this option that's all about making friends rather than dating!!), or download the Meetup app to discover events and activities happening near you! You never know who you'll meet in just a click away 😉
Join Language Exchange Meetups - Why not ditch those Spanish textbooks for once and head to an honest-to-goodness language exchange meetup instead? This could be a perfect way to practice your Spanish while meeting fellow language enthusiasts eager to swap stories and share cultural insights with you. Talk about fun ways to mix learning with socializing! You can easily find these types of activities on Facebook expat groups or on the Meetup App.
Attend Cultural Events - If you're into arts and culture, this is for you! There are so many festivals (fiestas), art exhibitions, and free concerts happening almost every month in each city in Spain. After all, you are finally living in the Land of Fiesta! So go outside, enjoy the sun and blue skies, keep coming to these events, and remember to dance along everyone else - I swear, you have a lot of time to enjoy and make friends along the way!
Join Church groups - Lastly and especially, for people of faith, this is a fantastic way to meet people who share the same beliefs and values as you. I truly believe one of the main reasons why I was able to adapt to my new life in Barcelona right away was that I had a solid church group with me. I was going to Parroquia de San Agustin (the Filipino Catholic Church in BCN) and I was a member of Singles for Christ. We were a tight-knit group who meet almost every Sunday and it truly made me feel at home even if I was 8000 miles away.
There are many ways to find and meet friends in Spain but the first step is always to get yourself out there. Building meaningful connections takes time, effort and patience, so don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the adventure of meeting new people. Your journey to finding friendship in Spain is just beginning, and it's bound to be an exciting and rewarding one. Seguro!
Asi pues, buena suerte y disfruta la aventura!
Salud!
Wow such a cool article, thank you for the suggestions