7 Ways To Make Friends While Interning In A Big City

This article is brought to you by Dream Careers, the largest global internship program for college students offering all-inclusive programs in 11 cities worldwide. To learn more about Dream Careers, please visit us at SummerInternships.com.

Big cities can be difficult, especially if you’ve just arrived in one. In busy places, it’s easy to feel anonymous and uninteresting. Meeting people that always seem to have an “I’m busy” look on their face can be daunting, if not terrifying. However, meeting people in big cities doesn’t have to be impossible. With these few easy tips and tricks, you’ll be included in the big city life in no time.

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Here are seven ways to make friends while interning in a big city.

1. Mingle with coworkers.

One of the easiest places to look for friends is right around you. While interning, you’ll be spending large amounts of time with your coworkers. Some of your coworkers will be young people just like you and others will be very different. Either way, don’t rule out hanging out with your coworkers just because you already see them everyday. Your coworkers could be very awesome people outside of the workplace if you just let yourself get to know them. Ask them to grab dinner sometimes or come over to watch the new show everybody’s talking about.

2. Look for clubs.

By clubs, I don’t mean the night type (although those can be fun too). By clubs, I mean ones that might fit your interest like cooking classes or swing dancing. This is a great way to expand on an interest of yours, even if you don’t know a whole lot about it, and find like-minded people. Some of these can be found by word of mouth or by flyers near their locations (think gyms and cafes). Becoming a regular member of any organization will make you instantly more sociable and involved.

3. Get a dog.

If your time in the big city is looking to be more long-term than short, it may be wise to invest in a furry friend. Adopting an older dog from the local shelter is always a good option if you aren’t looking to raise one and invest a lot of time. Owning a dog will both give you an automatic companion and gives you an excuse to get out of the house. Lots of people will be inclined to come up to you and pet your dog. Taking your dog to the park is also a great way to set up play dates and get to know their owners too.

4. Take some classes.

An easy way to meet young people is by taking up one or two easy courses at the local school. They don’t have to be anything insanely challenging, just something that will spark your interest. This way, you’ll be inserted into a group of individuals with something in common. You’re all in the same class. Use this to offer to hold study groups or tutoring sessions if you’re really bright. Soon you’ll be looking forward to your classes because you’ll have great friends there as well.

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5. Volunteer.

Another great way to get involved in the community is by giving back to it. Many people forget that the people you meet by volunteering are great friends that you’ll keep for life. Volunteering will make you feel more ingrained in the city you’re living in. It will give you a sense of purpose. Whether it be the animal shelter or the soup kitchen, find a volunteer opportunity that suits you and dive in. Don’t go just once to meet people, keep going to form connections. You’ll feel a lot better about your place in the city once you show how much you care about it.

6. Follow up on every lead.

It’s easy to take the passive route when trying to make friends. You don’t want to seem too eager or too involved and scare people away. But like you, many people think the exact same thing. It’s important to show up to events you’re invited to, even if they might not be your cup of tea. This will make it easier to socialize and suggest something else for next time. If someone mentions watching a game together but hasn’t said anything in awhile, drop them a text and ask if they’re still down for it. Be an active and inclusive friend. Invite people out first and don’t be disappointed if not everybody bites. Making great friends doesn’t happen immediately.

7. Look on social media.

As old school as Facebook may seem right now, it can be a really helpful tool in making friends in real life. When you do meet people in your new city, offer to add them on Facebook. Whenever people like events or suggest that they’re interested in them, it pops up on your newsfeed. If you see some cool gig you’re interested in, drop that person a message and ask if they’d mind you tagging along. Facebook and other social media sites can keep you updated on the happenings of the city around you and keep you informed about upcoming events. Don’t miss out on these.

By breaking down making new friends into a few easy actions, hopefully the city won’t seem so large to you anymore. Whether big or small, the key to feeling at home anywhere is by the company you surround  yourself with. While making friends can seem tiresome at first, put in the time and effort with people and you’re sure to find lasting results.

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