Be it classics like “Thelma & Louise” and “Steel Magnolias” or newer productions like “The Bold Type”, strong female friendships are the focus of many movies, TV shows, and even literature. The special connections between women, the way their different personalities merge and clash, and their mutual support has been the source of inspiration for many. Having a circle of female friends can be a big source of comfort and joy. This is even more true when you live abroad, where you often face new challenges every day.
Wherever you go and whatever your life might look like, there are some experiences that are universal to women from around the world — from the struggles of dating and dealing with society’s expectations to navigating the workplace. Your girlfriends will know how to handle the hurdles that are specific to women living abroad. No matter if you’re struggling with culture shock or heartbreak, they’ll understand what you’re going through.
Despite everything you share as women, you each come with your own set of experiences, beliefs, and cultural influences. Maybe you’ve lived abroad for a long time but for your friends, it’s the first stay in another country. Or maybe you have friends from different cultures who can offer you insights based on their own experiences. In any case, your friends will be able to give you a fresh perspective or show you another solution to your problems. This is what makes having international female friends so great.
From your favorite national dishes to your friends’ national holiday celebrations or traditional dances — you’ll learn all about your friends’ cultures and traditions, and they’ll find out about yours. Having female friends from around the world will open up your mind. Of course, having these experiences is already the best part of living abroad. But your group of girlfriends can tell you about their experiences from a unique, female perspective that men don’t usually have. So why not share and learn from them?
No matter how long you’ve dreamed of moving abroad and how long you prepared for it, it can be a challenging time. Your original support network is back home … and you might feel homesick and lonely at times. Simple tasks can seem like insurmountable obstacles.
Don’t worry, your new circle of friends has your back. Many people try to be tough and put on a brave face. But when you’re around your friends, you don’t need to. They’ll let you be vulnerable and provide a safe space to vent or a shoulder to cry on. And they’ll help you through the rough times and out at the other end.
Of course, your friends will also be the ones to celebrate your achievements. Think of them as your own personal cheerleading squad. Maybe you’re pursuing the job of your dreams, are working hard to turn your creative endeavors into a career, or you’re trying to get pregnant — your girlfriends will be there to hype you up and remind you what you’re capable of. And once you succeed, they’ll be there to celebrate with you.
Did you know that having female friends is not just fun but actually healthy? Having close platonic friendships can give you a boost of happiness-inducing hormones and prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. (Feelings all too familiar to any woman who has moved abroad and taken a while to settle in.)
If you’ve ever left a dinner or a movie night with your girlfriends feeling warm and fuzzy inside, this is probably not a surprise to you. Although living abroad comes with a lot of emotional challenges, the sheer joy you’ll get from spending time with your female friends will make it all easier, more fun, … and it’ll do wonders for your mental health.
Elena Born moved to Munich in 2010 where she still lives with her family. A true global mind at heart, she enjoys the international environment and safety of the Bavarian capital.
Homesickness, it’s a feeling many, if not all of us have felt at some point in our lives. A longing for home is a state of mind that can impact your experience abroad in the most negative ways… that is, if you let it! Take the tough love approach and say bon voyage to feeling blue.
Although things like social media, blogging, and cell phones are definitely helpful, in the long run, basing all communication around electronics could do more harm than good. Here are three unusual tips for keeping up with loved ones back home, without spending life on your phone.
Physical distancing is a necessity during this pandemic, but it has also created a new problem: how should people greet one another if they can’t shake hands, hug, or kiss on the cheek? With some creativity, you can find other ways to greet people, and it might even be a great conversation starter.
For many expats, 2020 has been a difficult year and it is easy to fall into despair. But even when times seem dark and desperate, there are always things that can bring you happiness. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the time to reflect on all the things you can be thankful for this year.
Moving abroad is a daunting thought, to say the least, so surrounding yourself with supportive and positive people becomes more important than ever. Here are three types of friends that are essential to making your expat journey a memorable one.