How to Create Meaningful Relationships While Traveling
Here at Friendji, we know a thing or two about creating meaningful relationships while traveling. Did you know that’s how our app started?
We don’t just work together. Our team is also good friends who met as digital nomads in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We’ve made a career out of helping others connect abroad, so we have a few tips for you.
No matter where you go in the world, you’ll find that people desire human connection. It’s an innate part of who we are.
It’s not always easy when you’re away from home to form friendships that last.
Here are some tips we have for meeting like-minded people abroad and developing meaningful connections with them.
#1 Download the Friendji App
Okay, we might be a little biased towards our app, but not without a good reason! The whole reason we created Friendji is so that people can build meaningful relationships with each other while traveling.
You need to meet people before you develop lasting friendships with them, and Friendji helps you do that.
The connection process is straightforward. You send an emoji to someone you’d like to connect with, and they send an emoji back if they’re interested.
The emojis you send to them represent the types of activities you’d like to do with them. For example, a beer emoji means you want to grab a drink together, and the hamburger means you want to dine out.
#2 Be open
One of the best ways to connect with someone on a deeper level is to be open and honest with them.
This advice can have several interpretations.
One way you can be open is by being open to new experiences and talking to new people. Staying too far within your comfort zone makes it more challenging to meet new people.
Another is to be open to sharing about your life. You don’t have to dump your whole life story on someone, but it’s good to talk about things that matter to you to form bonds.
When you travel, you’ll likely meet people from different parts of the world. A great way to connect is to share about your life at home. You can talk about your friends, family, exciting things to do, etc.
#3 Create gatherings
When you travel, a lot of people are looking for connections. Take advantage of that by planning a gathering of like-minded individuals using the Friendji app.
Connecting through these gatherings makes it easier to meet people you connect with on a deeper level. The more people you meet while traveling, the more likely you’re going to bond with at least a few of them.
Having a group you can create memories with will lead to long-term friendships.
#4 Explore together
What you have in common with other travelers is that you all are in a different city together. Of course, some people like to explore alone, but many people value human connection.
Rather than trying to fit people within your busy travel schedule, you could invite others to join you.
Exploring the new city together is a great way to create memories and start the foundation of a lifelong friendship.
Whether or not it lasts forever, you’ll share those moments for the rest of your life.
#5 Repeat interactions
Don’t just explore with your new friends once if you get along with them.
Hang out with them a few times to build on the first interaction.
If you meet someone you vibe with at a group meeting, tour, or hostel, invite them to explore more with you.
Whether inviting them for a meal or a drink the next day or exploring another part of town together, these repeat interactions will help cement the friendship.
Getting to know people on an individual level makes the relationship more meaningful. However, meeting them once in a group might not seal the friendship in the same way.
#6 Visit each other
Sometimes, it can be challenging to maintain a meaningful friendship after going home and going separate ways. You can use this as an opportunity to visit exciting places.
If you really hit it off with a friend and they want to continue the relationship afterward, you can visit their hometown to see a new place.
It’s also fun if they come to your hometown and you can show them around some neat local spots. Sometimes, you’re lucky enough to live in the same place as your new friend. Meet up with them if you can and explore your own backyard together!
Bottom Line
With apps like Friendji, making friends abroad is simple. However, it takes a little more work to create meaningful relationships that last beyond your time abroad.
Hopefully, these tips have given you ideas for developing close bonds with those you meet during your travels.
Don’t forget to use all of the tools the Friendji app provides to make this process easier!
Are you looking to make friends during your digital nomad experience and read more fun travel articles? Check out our blog and download the Friendji app!
