Fellow expats, this question was probably asked thousands of times but yeah. How do you cope with expat loneliness and how long did it take you to make some actual friends? I have been living in a different country for one month and I just can’t stop feeling lonely and alienated.
You didn’t mention language but that was a key factor when I moved to Sweden. Even though almost everyone speaks English you’re not going to get close to them without speaking their language.
Language doesn’t guarantee you’ll make friends though. I got in the habit of always buying an extra ticket whenever there was a sporting or cultural event I wanted to see. That forced me to ask someone to come with me, usually a coworker or neighbor. The great thing about attending an event together is that it takes the pressure off of making small talk and it gives you a topic of conversation when next you meet.
Patience is important. It may take a number of times before someone starts to feel like a friend. It’s ok to work on having several good acquaintances at the same time.
Another strategy that works for some people is join clubs and groups with similar interests.
Best of luck to you. Here’s hoping your social circle grows and prospers.