If you decide to move to Australia, there will be a period of time when you are settling in during which you might feel a little bit lost and lonely. Don’t worry – this is perfectly normal. You will have said goodbye to your friendships back home and you will not have established deep friendships in Australia yet – so it’s normal to feel a little bit lonely and out of place. You’ll have the Emigration Group to help you with jobs in Australia for UK citizens but settling into your new home and making friends is a different matter.
However, the good news is that Australians are very friendly and you won’t find it too hard to make friends with them during your time down under. If you can be outgoing and social you will soon find yourself with many great new Australian friends who will make you feel welcome and happy in your new home.
Here are some tips for making friends with Australians once you move Down Under:
Cultivate an Interest in Sport
Many Australians, especially Australian men but also women as well, love sports. They will want to talk about the rugby, football or cricket match and they will often be watching it in the pub or at home with their friends. If you are interested in sports already or you think you could cultivate an interest, it will be an immediate talking point for many Australians you meet. You can bond over shared love for the team you support and spend quality time together watching a game.
Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
Australian humor can be very self-deprecating and Australian culture generally values someone who is able to laugh at themselves and be humble. Making jokes at your own expense will endear you to others and groups of friends will playfully tease each other. If a friend makes a joke about you and you can laugh at yourself that is great – if you can throw a playful jibe at them back and make everyone else laugh it is even better.
Get Outdoors
People from Australia also tend to be outdoorsy (again, just a generalization). If you are interested in hiking, camping and other outdoor sports there will probably be many people who would love to go on an adventure with you. Take a look for hiking groups in your area so that you can find other outdoor lovers to head out into the wilderness with.In fact, one of the reasons that many people emigrate to Australia is so that they can enjoy a more active outdoor lifestyle.
Invite Them Over for a Barbeque
There’s nothing that many Australians love more on a beautiful summer day than to have a barbeque in the sunshine. The barbeque is a very important part of Australian culture and taking part in this will help you to understand the way that Australians socialize with each other
Get some sausages, burgers and steaks and plenty of cold beers and invite your friends and neighbors around to your house. It will be a fun and casual way to get to know each other and make new friends. Offer them a nice cold beer and you will immediately be friends for life!
Be Outgoing and Friendly
Australians are generally an outgoing and friendly bunch and it can be easy to strike up a conversation with them. Chat with your co-workers, the people you see around in your neighborhood or other people you meet as you go about your day.
Ask them about their lives and what they like to do. You’ll naturally get into conversations and form friendships. Don’t be afraid to invite your new friends out to do things and get together – it might feel awkward at first but this is how friendships are forged.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when it comes to making friends with Australians when you move to your new home down under. The first little while will be difficult as you get to know people, but once you start making new Australian friends you will start to feel right at home. Also, Australians make wonderful and loyal friends so once you form that friendship bond it will last a long time.