Singapore is home to approximately 1.7 million non-residents who have immigrated to the country for various reasons. Whether for work, family, or to experience the country’s diverse and vibrant culture, many of these expats in Singapore have one thing in common; they want to make friends in their new home.
Making friends as an adult can be an exciting endeavour for some, but a nerve-wracking experience for others. If this is something that’s on your mind when it comes to relocating, then read on for our tips on making friends as an expat in Singapore.
Creating a Social Circle
Having a social circle is equally as important for people of all ages, especially those who have moved internationally to Singapore and are adapting not only to a new home but also to a new culture. While children will likely make friends relatively quickly and easily through school or extracurricular activities, it can take a little more effort as an adult.
Get online
One of the easiest ways to begin connecting with people in a new country is by joining online expat groups and forums. Telegram, Discord, and Facebook are all popular messaging apps in Singapore, so start by downloading these before you move. By doing this in advance, you can find and join groups, and gain an understanding of how each group functions before you arrive. For example, some online groups have recurring scheduled events, some have ‘admins’ who take charge of planning meetups, and some encourage users to reach out themselves.
If there is already a large number of expats in Singapore from your home country, there may even be a country-specific group you can join. Don’t worry if there isn’t though, as these groups are often still quite diverse and welcome members from other parts of the world, too. Some of these groups require a joining fee, so give some thought to whether it’s something you want to spend money on, or if you’d rather give other methods of making friends a go first.
Attend meet-ups
Joining these groups will only get you so far, and you’ll need to actively participate if you want to develop friendships within them. This means keeping an eye out for meet-ups that interest you. Whether these are dinner and drinks gatherings, or heading out for an activity, choose to attend events that will attract like-minded people. If no one else is organising something that interests you, be proactive and set about planning an event yourself.
Expand your skill set
Is there something new that you’ve been wanting to try? Well now’s your chance to take it up while you adjust to living in Singapore. Whether it’s learning a new language, joining a cooking class, or anything else you have your sights set on, enrolling in a class is a great way to make friends who share your interests.
If you aren’t familiar with Mahjong, now is a great time to learn! The 19th century game was developed in southern China, and is an incredibly popular game in Singapore. Played with tiles and dice, the game involves three to four players, which is an ideal number for small-group socialising.
Join a team
Following on from our last point, joining team sports will no doubt connect you with new people. Soccer, baseball, and golf are very popular among Singaporeans, as well as cricket, rugby, and a variety of other sports, so you’re sure to find something you’ll love. If team sports aren’t your thing, why not join a pilates studio or another low-impact activity instead?
Reach out
When trying to make friends in a new country, don’t be afraid to reach out. Whether someone you know from the past is in Singapore, or a friend of a friend has made the move before, try to get in touch with them. You might be surprised by how willing others are to help, especially if they’ve been in your shoes before.
Family friends
If you are moving to Singapore with your family, don’t be afraid to network through them, too! If you have school-age children, then enquire about getting involved in the PTA or other school activities. Not only will you meet other parents, but your kids might just become friends, too.
Go Easy on Yourself
Moving to a new country means you’ll have a lot to adjust to, so go easy on yourself! Stay patient and persistent, and before you know it, you’ll have a circle of friends and support network like no other.
By choosing Allied to help you move to Singapore, you can let us take the lead on packing and unpacking, relocating your vehicle, and a range of other tasks, while you focus on settling in.
Get in touch with Allied Singapore today to take the first steps in planning your move.