Adapting to a New Environment: Swift Strategies for a Smooth Transition
Moving to a new city, whether for university or work, can be an exciting yet daunting experience. To help make the transition smoother, we've compiled a list of practical tips for settling in quickly and making friends.
**Settling In Quickly**
1. Unpack essentials first: Focus on setting up your sleeping and bathroom areas so you feel comfortable immediately. Gradually unpack the kitchen to prepare basic meals.
2. Set up utilities early: Arrange electricity, water, internet, and other services to be active on move-in day for seamless living.
3. Add personal touches: Display photos, favorite decor, plants, or artwork to create a sense of familiarity and warmth in your new space.
4. Explore your neighborhood: Walk around daily to get familiar with your surroundings, learn nearby amenities, and say hello to neighbors to feel more connected.
5. Create a cozy corner: Designate a relaxing spot with soft lighting, blankets, and personal items to help you unwind and feel at home.
**Making Friends**
1. Attend local social events: Join neighborhood meetups, housewarming parties, or community gatherings to meet multiple people quickly.
2. Join groups aligned with your interests: Whether it’s wine hiking groups, student clubs in Graz, fitness classes, or coworking spaces, participating in activities makes socializing easier.
3. Use online community platforms: Local Facebook groups, Meetup, Slack, Reddit, or neighborhood apps help discover events and connect with locals or others new like you.
4. Leverage remote work flexibility: If applicable, explore different work spots and engage with local freelancers or remote worker communities, which can accelerate friendships.
5. Be proactive and start early: Don’t wait to meet people—start building your social circle during the first week in your new city.
In addition to these tips, there are several other ways to meet new people and make friends. Volunteering with the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) can provide a new perspective on the university and the opportunity to work with cool people. Networking apps can be used efficiently for online networking, while living in a student dormitory can provide a platform for making new friends.
For students in Vienna, the University Sports Institute offers over 160 different sports and around 1200 courses per semester, providing opportunities to get to know new people through sports classes. Using apps like Bumble BFF or Meetup can also help in finding potential friends and people with similar interests.
Attending events for first semester students can help in getting to know the university campus and other students. Many students need a job to finance their studies, while others want to gain professional experiences. A list of popular and lucrative jobs for students has been created, and tips for applying for a student job are available to help secure a dream job.
Lastly, being the host of events like parties, dinners, or movie nights can help in making friends and bonding with others. A job in an interesting company can offer a lot of experience and bring you into contact with people who have the same interests and goals.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/sep/04/how-to-make-friends-when-you-move-to-a-new-city [2] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-make-friends-in-a-new-city_b_5735975 [3] https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/how-to-make-friends-as-an-adult
- To supplement your efforts in settling in and making friends, consider joining the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) for a new perspective and an opportunity to work with others.
- For those interested in sports, the University Sports Institute in Vienna offers over 160 sports and 1200 courses per semester, fostering connections with fellow students.
- To extend your network, use apps like Bumble BFF or Meetup, which can help find potential friends with similar interests.
- To secure a job during your studies or for professional growth, a list of popular and lucrative student jobs has been created, and tips for applying are available.
- Round out your experiences by hosting events like parties, dinners, or movie nights to make new friends and strengthen bonds with others.
- Working for an interesting company brings you into contact with people who share the same interests and goals, providing additional opportunities for friendship and growth.
