Topics covered
As an international student in Canada, figuring out how to make friends can feel overwhelming at times. However, it’s not as hard as you think! Canada is a safe place to study and is generally known for its diverse, friendly, and accepting population. As long as you’re willing to try new things and put in some effort, meeting new friends and networks should be easy.
Here are a few ideas and tips on how you can start meeting new people in your community as a newcomer.
Most universities and colleges have a wide range of clubs, teams, and societies open to students and their interests. Joining a club or team is generally a low-cost way to meet new people. Plus, it helps you:
Deepen existing interests or explore new ones
Reduce stress
Build your resume
One of the easiest ways to broaden your social circle is to live with roommates or in student housing. In student residences, there are typically social activities that you can attend. Other students usually leave their doors open as a way to invite others.
If you live with roommates, strike up a conversation with them or invite them to watch a movie or eat a meal together. They may invite you to hang out with people they know.
If you are attending a university or college, you likely live in an area with lots of students. Going outside is a great addition to a healthy, balanced lifestyle – getting fresh air is good for your mental health. It’s also an excellent way to meet people in your neighbourhood. Say hello and make small talk. Who knows, you may run into them at your local coffee shop (which is also a great place to meet folks who live in your area).
If you are more introverted and shy, and not sure how to meet people in a new city, try starting small by joining an online group. Whether this is via platforms like Facebook or Reddit, or through online communities on Discord, there are many ways to find your community, especially during inclement weather like a snowstorm! You may even want to join WhatsApp Groups that are popular for newcomers to Canada.
As you start to find friends online, make sure you’re being safe, which is as simple as:
Not sharing too much personal information
Trusting your gut
Always meeting anyone for the first time in a public place
Sharing details of your meetups with friends and family
Parties are a great way to meet friends. Whether you live with roommates or know a few classmates, try hosting a low-key get-together like a potluck or game night. If hosting isn’t your thing, keep an eye out for parties in your neighbourhood. Either way, focus on having fun and being yourself.
Saying hi to your fellow classmates can be an easy way to start a conversation and build friendships. Don’t be afraid to chat with the people you sit next to in your classes and invite them to go for a coffee or hang out after a lecture. If that seems too daunting, ask if they’d like to study together with you at the library.
You will find that clubs, societies, and teams at your school often hold events you can attend. They will post information about it on flyers, on student boards, or on their social media accounts. It’s also worth checking out your school’s International Student Centre, which will likely hold events regularly.
You can also use social media platforms like MeetUp, which is for hosting and organizing in-person and virtual get-togethers with people who have similar interests or belong to similar communities. There are even MeetUp groups for international students and for international student support.
If you have a particular hobby or interest you are passionate about, keep an eye out for conferences or networking events. It’s as simple as using sites like Eventbrite and Meetup, plugging in your city and interests in the search bar and browsing upcoming events.
Some examples of events that may be in your city include:
University of Ottawa’s International Student Support Group and Racialized Students (BIPOC) Support Group. Held regularly on a monthly or biweekly basis.
University of Toronto’s Centre for International Experience’s events. See their calendar here.
International in Vancouver’s Meetup Events. Meetings are on a biweekly basis. See their event calendar here.
International Friends Montreal. Meetings are on a weekly basis. See their event calendar here.
Interest-related events include:
Board Games Social in Quebec City. For ages 18+, events are on a rolling basis.
Calgary Plant-based Potlucks. A monthly event every third Thursday.
Edmonton’s Exploring YEG Trails - Long Walk/Hike. Held every fourth Saturday of the month.
Apps aren’t just for dating! For example, Bumble offers BumbleBFF for finding friends in your area. Other examples of apps for making friends include:
Meetup - Social media platform for in-person or virtual events.
Wink - Mobile app for making friends all over the world.
Yubo - Mobile app designed for small group interactions, similar to hanging out in person.
LMK - Mobile app for people to instantly chat or have a phone call with others who share similar interests.
Hey! Vina - Mobile app marketed as Tinder for women to make friends.
Take advantage of your shared housing or student residence’s common areas like the kitchen and living room and spend your free time there. You are more likely to meet people who are looking to make friends or who are open to conversation.
Volunteering allows you to give back to your community and meet like-minded people who have the same interests and values as you. Not sure where to volunteer? Your city likely has a directory that connects volunteers with causes looking for support. Examples include:
VolunteerMatch (with a database for all Canadian cities)
Being a mentor or a mentee can be a fulfilling relationship that helps provide support, aids in personal development, and is an effective way to build your social circle. It can leave you feeling empowered and encouraged and can improve your experience adjusting to a new city.
Some examples of mentorship programs that are common in many Canadian cities include:
Big Brother Big Sisters - Nonprofit organization focused on mentorship programs for youth.
Diaspora Dialogues - Supporting emerging writers on their path to building a career with their craft through mentorship and professional development opportunities.
Venture for Canada - Mentorship program for entrepreneurs.
Black Professionals in Tech Network - Facilitating networking for Black talent in North America.
For province-specific mentorship programs, check out this list curated by Immigrant Muse Magazine.
While it may feel tempting to stay inside, especially in the middle of your first Canadian winter, meeting new people starts with stepping outside your comfort zone (and your room)! Rather than staying at home, try going outside, to somewhere that makes you feel excited and joyful. This could be a museum, a bookstore, or even a place of worship. You will likely find people who find joy in that same activity.
Looking for ideas? Here are five things to do in autumn in Canada.
When it comes to finding friends in Canada, the first step is putting yourself out there. Start small, and begin with what makes you feel comfortable, rather than feel pressured to go a certain direction. Ultimately, when you lead with what naturally interests you, you will likely have a good time and meet some new friends along the way.
Looking for more tips on meeting new people? This FAQ lists short videos from students, members of Canadian post-secondary institutions, and IDP counsellors, who share their perspectives on the best way to make friends in Canada.
For more tips on international student life in Canada, follow IDP Education Canada on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Create your profile and unlock a wide array of features including personalised recommendations, fast-tracked applications and much more.
Dive into our extensive collection of articles by using our comprehensive topic search tool.