Don’t Wait to be Invited: Create your own fun & they will come.
6 TIPS & TRICKS TO CREATE YOUR OWN FUN & BUILD
THE SOCIAL LIFE YOU WANT.
Are you tired of doing the same routine? Maybe you want to shake up your social life a bit. Or perhaps you’re halfway through your mobility program and you’re wondering what’s left to explore.
Well, as the old Sweet Honey in the Rock song goes, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” That means YOU! So, instead of waiting to be invited to something, why not just create events around any theme you wish– even a simple potluck is reason enough to organize a gathering.
I recently hosted an international event in France and had the opportunity to meet assistant teachers from around the globe who were in the country to teach their native languages. Assistants from Jamaica, Germany, and the United States were among those present.
Below are some tips gathered from our exchange regarding how to have an enjoyable international experience – even if it’s your first time living abroad.
1. JOIN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GROUPS.
Whether you have A1 or C2 level the native language of your host country, join language exchange meetup groups and events. It’s a great way to socialize while improving your language skills. If you’re not sure where to find a group, go to your local library and ask a librarian. Libraries tend to host language improvement groups.
2. SAY YES TO INVITATIONS.
As a mobility participant, you’ll be surrounded by local people who know their city or region very well. Often there are events that locals are aware of that you may not be. If you’re invited to check out an event, consider saying yes and inviting another mobility participant to attend with you. It’s a great way to enrich your experience in your host country.
Take it a step further: don’t wait for an invitation, ask the people at your job, internship, or university for ideas to explore in your host city or country. Then invite them to join you! :D
3. CREATE YOUR OWN EVENTS & INVITE OTHERS.
You may be the one everyone’s been waiting for! Instead of waiting to be invited, organize your own party, picnic, or group meal at your place or at a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Think it’s too cold for a picnic? Do it indoors! Make space on the floor, take off your shoes and chow down on the tasty treats around you.
4. HAVE YOUR EVENTS DURING THE DAY INSTEAD OF AT NIGHT.
I strongly recommend having daytime parties or events. There’s a fun dynamic when you’re having a party in the daytime because it’s a new day, everyone’s full of energy and your event is their first item of the day.
After everyone’s eaten, played games, chatted for hours and the party starts to wind down; because it’s still daytime, there’s a sense that there’s more adventure to be had with the rest of the day.
5. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE WALLFLOWERS (SHY ONES).
Whether you’re the host of the event or not, keep an eye out for the shy ones. Circulate and chat with everyone. It’s possible that the quiet person in the corner could be looking for a way into a conversation. Make it easy and invite them over!
6. ADAPT YOUR EVENTS TO MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE FOR VARYING ABILITIES AND AGES.
Some disabilities are visible and some are not. Where possible, invite your guests to let you know ahead of time if any accommodations are required.
One attendee at my recent international exchange event had a sensitivity to noise and overstimulation. In order to accommodate her, there were quiet areas where people could socialize and still be part of the event.
If you would like to have an intergenerational event or party, consider having it be alcohol-free.
OVER TO YOU
As we go deeper into 2023, be sure to keep us up to date on your events. Use the “Living Abroad Forum” to organize your very own meetup events. It’s easy! All you have to do is go to the forum and click the yellow bar to “Add a new discussion topic.”
What have you said “Yes” to so far during your mobility experience? Maybe you’ve already organized some events? Head over to the Living Abroad discussion and tell us about it.