How To Find Your Tribe While Living Abroad
Words by: Briona Lamback
Black people and the community go hand-in-hand. Ancestrally, we come from tribes. Strong groups of people who supported, loved, birthed, and mourned together. The famous black proverb “it takes a village” didn’t come from just anywhere. It was born out of our innate love of community.
Today, we still flock together. Humans tend to navigate toward people like themselves and form groups. As black people, not only do many of us enjoy the presence of each other, but we share an intrinsic connection no matter where in the diaspora you call home. However, not all black people subscribe to this, partially due to the white-washed western cities that many of us have occupied for generations. But it’s also because we are individually unique and don’t necessarily have to bond over our shared blackness.
But damn, it sure feels good when we do.
One of my favorite things about living abroad is the uncomfortably that comes with having to force yourself to dive into new communities and find friends in adulthood. It’s not the uncomfortable feelings I desire but the fruitful relationships waiting on the other end of my friend-finding anxiety. When we travel or move abroad to countries outside of the African continent, most times, it’s hard to find each other.
Don’t get me wrong. We’re here, there, and everywhere in between. The African diaspora touches every part of this globe. But it can be disheartening when you’ve been abroad for a while and still haven’t found your people.
This guide shares seven helpful ways to make new friends while living abroad.
Friendly Black hotties at a Buoyant Meetup in London.
Join Facebook Groups
We know that Facebook is the place you go to check up on your high school friends or mass dump your travel photos. However, there are many groups in the book’ where you can turn to find your tribe. From ex-pat groups to women’s meetups, there’s truly a FB group for every kind of community—no matter what you’re into. Try searching ‘Black Expats in [insert your city]’ or Black Women/Men in [insert your city] to find other Black ex-pats to connect with.
Take a Group Trip
Going on a group trip can be just the push you need to get out of your comfort zone and closer to finding your people. Group trips provide the space for you to explore a new place with interesting people, so connections are bound to form. We recommend joining a group trip in the country you’re living in or one close by. Buoyant’s group trips bring together 10-20+ black millennial travelers who are models, entrepreneurs, therapists, teachers, and more. With such diverse groups of black people, you’re sure to connect with someone to add to your tribe.
Find a Black-Owned Business
Where there is a black-owned business, there are likely to be black people. Find out where the black-owned salons, restaurants, or cafes are in your new neighborhood. If they host events, be sure to pop in for a poetry jam or book singing. These events and spaces are typically filled with other locals or ex-pats searching for a bit of community just like you.
Tap Into Nightlife
Nightlife is one surefire way to find ya’ people. We love to party, so hitting up the black end of town, a concert, or a Black-owned event will set you up for success. In London, for example, plenty of Black-owned event companies throw some of the hottest nightlife events in the city. We usually find them through word-of-mouth or Instagram.
Attend Black-organized Events
Meetup.com is a great way to find out about Black-organized events. The site acts as a search engine for events being held by locals in your city. Like Facebook, there are plenty of black networking groups or travel meetups you can find on Meetup.
We host meetups around the world. From London to D.C. - join us?
Commit To Being Social
Being social in a new city can be hard. It requires patience (you might not always hit it off with new folks), time, energy, and, usually, money. Trust us. We get it. Committing to being social in order to find your tribe while living abroad is no easy feat, but the reward of creating lifetime memories makes it so much better.
This life is precious. Enjoy it with people who get you.
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