We tell you how to overcome one of the biggest fears when moving abroad on your own. Landing in another country and knowing that there is no return ticket will be exciting and probably, one of the biggest experiences of your life. However, if you are planning to move from Austria to another country by yourself, questions such as the following one might come up: What am I doing to do in my free time if I don’t know anyone? Will I spend my weekends on my own? Is it going to be hard to meet with locals? Connecting with the locals isn’t as difficult as you might think– if you have the right attitude and are willing to invest some time! Thus, before you start packing your belongings, have a look at our tips on how to meet new people while you are abroad. They will help you on making your adventure of moving alone abroad a success – and of course, on meeting nice people! Hobbies and interests Keep your previous interests and hobbies or take up something you’ve always wanted to do. Is there a Meetup about a new programming language? Have you found a didgeridoo course? Be open-minded and don’t be afraid of trying new things. Volunteer Another way you could meet new people and gain new experiences is through volunteering. This is a great way to learn more about your community and maybe new connections. Meet the neighbors One of the first things to do is becoming familiar with your new neighborhood. Using the “I just moved here” line will work wonders for approaching the friendly locals you will meet and also your new neighbors. Experience tourist life Take some time for yourself to explore and appreciate your new city. Grab a guidebook and discover some of the local cultural spots. Or take a look at Crown’s destination guides for some inspiration. To understand the local culture is to appreciate the history of the place that you will now call home. Meet other expats Austrian people living in the country or other foreigners can help you get integrated. They are in the same situation as you, and they have probably been through similar issues. Connect with them via Facebook or Whatsapp and don’t be afraid to join them when they gather for a coffee!