1. Join Clubs

Join as many clubs and societies as your little heart desires. It’s a great way to branch out and try something new with people who are like-minded and interested in the same thing as you. There are clubs for everything and if you can’t find one that you like, then just create your own.

2. Go to Accommodation events

If you’re living in university housing then most of the accommodation halls will host events to get everyone together. Going to these events is a great way to meet people in your building and break the ice. Sometimes the different houses will hold competitions against each other.

3. Global Cafe

The Global Cafe is one of my favourite ways to meet people. Most people who attend will be international students. And what a lot of international students don’t realise is that there are hundreds of students in the same boat as them. They’re in a foreign country, have moved by themselves, and they don’t know anyone. They’re trying to meet people, just like you are. You will meet people from all over the world during these events. Not to mention the fact that there’s free tea and biscuits.

4. Knock on doors

I lived in a studio and didn’t have any flatmates to immediately introduce myself to. My neighbour knocked on my door. We met and then together we went and knocked on two other doors. The four of us would have date nights. We would go to the cinema, out to dinner, and we even spent nights cooking together. Even if you do have flatmates, I recommend knocking on doors. You never know who’s on the other side!

5. Hear an accent and ask where they’re from

One of my friends loved walking up to people and asking where they were from when she heard their accent. It’s definitely odd when you first experience it, but international students are so welcoming. I’m American and on any given day or night out I could expect at least one or two people to ask me if I was American. I can’t tell you how many people then went on to tell me about all their travels to the States and Canada (and how many people I had to tell that Canada was not a state). I was invited to so many parties, dinners, and club meetings. So, don’t be shy to ask if you hear an interesting accent.