Moving to a foreign country for university is exciting. You get a new campus, a new city, new experiences, and the opportunity to meet people from around the world.

But there is one challenge many international students face: making friends.

For Indian students, the experience can feel even more unfamiliar when you are far away from family, school friends, and everything you know.

The good news is that making friends at an international university does not have to be difficult. You simply need to take a few small steps and give yourself time.

Making Friends: Why Is It Difficult at First?

When you arrive at a foreign university, almost everything may feel new.

You may worry about:

• Speaking to strangers
• Differences in language or accents
• Cultural differences
• Feeling shy or nervous
• Not knowing where to meet people
• Wondering whether others will accept you

These feelings are normal. Remember that other international students may be feeling exactly the same way.

The easiest way to start making friends is often to realise that you are not the only person looking for connection.

Read more!

1. Start With Your Classmates

Your classmates are the easiest people to approach because you already share something in common: your course.

Start with simple questions such as:

“Did you understand today’s lecture?”

“Have you started the assignment?”

“Are you going to the orientation event?”

A short conversation can become a regular friendship over time.

The Friendship Formula

Say hello → Start a conversation → Meet again → Spend time together → Build trust

You don’t need to become best friends on the first day.

2. Join Student Clubs and Societies

One of the best ways of making friends is to join activities you genuinely enjoy.

Look for:

• Sports clubs
• Music or cultural societies
• Photography groups
• Debate clubs
• Gaming communities
• Entrepreneurship clubs
• Volunteering groups

Choose activities where you can meet the same people regularly.

That repeated interaction makes it easier to move from “someone I know” to “a friend.”

3. Connect With Indian Students

Indian student associations can be particularly useful during your first few months.

You may find people from different parts of India who understand:

• Indian food cravings
• Festivals away from home
• Family expectations
• Adjusting to a foreign university
• The experience of living abroad

You can celebrate festivals, cook together, or simply have conversations in familiar languages.

However, don’t limit yourself to only Indian friends.

Aim for a Balanced Circle

        YOUR FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

       International Friends
              /\
             /  \
            /    \
      Indian     Course Friends
       Friends
            \    /
             \  /
          YOU + COMMUNITY

A diverse group can help you enjoy both your Indian identity and your international experience.

4. Use Orientation Week Properly

Orientation isn’t just about finding classrooms and learning university rules.

It is one of the easiest opportunities for making friends.

Many students arrive without knowing anyone, which makes the first conversations easier.

During orientation:

• Introduce yourself to people nearby
• Exchange social media handles
• Attend campus events
• Join group activities
• Ask someone to grab coffee or lunch

Don’t wait for someone else to approach you.

A simple “Hi, where are you from?” can be enough to begin.

5. Spend Less Time in Your Room

Your room is comfortable, especially when you are missing home.

But spending too much time alone can make it harder to build relationships.

Try studying in the library, eating in shared spaces, attending campus events, or simply spending time in common areas.

A Simple Weekly Social Goal

You don’t need a packed social calendar. Small, consistent efforts are enough.

6. Learn to Say “Yes” Sometimes

A classmate asks you to join dinner.

A student society invites you to an event.

Your roommate asks you to explore the city.

You may feel nervous and want to stay in.

Try saying yes when the situation feels comfortable and safe.

Many friendships begin from an ordinary invitation.

You don’t need to attend everything. Just give yourself opportunities to meet people.

7. Don’t Expect Instant Best Friends

This is one of the most important tips about making friends.

Social media can make it look like everyone immediately finds a perfect friend group.

Real life is different.

You may meet:

Acquaintance → Classmate → Casual Friend → Close Friend

It can take weeks or months.

Don’t assume something is wrong simply because you haven’t found your closest friends yet.

Making Friends When You Feel Shy

You don’t have to become extremely outgoing.

Try these small challenges:

Day 1: Say hello to someone in class.
Day 3: Ask someone a simple question.
Day 5: Join a group activity.
Week 2: Invite someone for coffee.
Week 3: Attend an event together.

Small actions can gradually build confidence.

Remember:

You don’t need confidence to start making friends.

You build confidence by starting.

What If You Get Rejected?

Not every conversation will become a friendship.

Someone may be busy. Someone may already have a friend group. Someone may simply have different interests.

Don’t take it personally.

Think of making friends as meeting different people until you find those you genuinely connect with.

One awkward conversation doesn’t define your university experience.

Final Thoughts

Studying abroad is not only about earning a degree. It is also about building experiences, relationships, and memories.

Making friends can make your international student journey easier, more enjoyable, and less lonely.

Start small.

Say hello. Join a club. Attend an event. Invite someone for coffee. Talk to your classmates.

You don’t need to find your lifelong friends in your first week.

You simply need to take the first step.

Your new friendship circle may be just one conversation away.

Read our blog on how to deal with homesickness here.