Introduction
One of the best parts about being a digital nomad is that you get to travel. Travelling is awesome and something that everyone should do at least once in their life. However, there are some challenges that come with travelling as a digital nomad. It can be difficult to meet new people when travelling solo or with your partner or friend. In this article, I will explore some of the ways digital nomads can make new friends while on the go!
Go to events.
Events are a great way to meet fellow travelers. In fact, many events are free, and you can find them online. It’s easy to find events that are hosted in your city or town, but you can also look for virtual ones that don’t require you to travel at all.
You might want to get into the habit of regularly attending events that interest you so that when people ask what your interests are or what you do in the area, it will come naturally as something shared by others who attend those same types of events regularly. You will be surprised how many friendships start from simple comments made during an event and how you start to get all the intel about fun things happening during the weekend!
Book Private Room on Airbnb or Try Couchsurfing.
Airbnb has tons of options for staying in the private rooms or guest houses of hosts. Reviews will typically give a really good explanation of how helpful and welcoming the hosts are. When I've tried these experiences myself, I received the best recommendations on restaurants to try and things to explore in new countries.
For those who are even more adventurous - Couchsurfing is a popular way to meet people, and it's also a great way to save money. Couchsurfing allows you to stay with a host for free in exchange for being their guest. You can find hosts through their website or app, and if you don't have any luck finding one in your current city, check out Couchsurfing's lists of recommended hostels near where you're traveling.
Stay in a hostel.
A hostel is a great way to meet people. You'll be surrounded by fellow travelers, many of whom are on the same journey as you and therefore have similar interests, goals and lifestyles. You'll likely share your time with people from all over the world and this diversity can give you new insights into places far away from home.
Hostels are also relatively cheap so they're perfect for those who are travelling on a budget (most hostels charge between $10-20 per night). They also tend to have lots of facilities such as kitchens and common areas where guests can hang out during their stay which means there will be plenty of opportunities for socializing!
Take a class.
One way to meet new people is to take a class. You may be surprised at how many people are interested in meeting other travelers, especially those who want to do it for the sake of learning more about the local culture. There are many wonderful foreign languages taught around the world that can help you learn more about your surroundings and make friends with like-minded individuals, so you can choose a language that interests you and look up classes around town!
There are also other fun things to do such as cooking classes or culinary tours through cities and towns worldwide. If these options aren't available in your area, try looking for them in nearby areas that you can easily commute to.
Volunteer.
Volunteering is an excellent way to meet people. It can be as simple as helping out at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen, or it can be a more involved activity such as volunteering for an organization that works to prevent animal cruelty. If you're interested in making new friends with people who share your values, try volunteering for a cause that is important to you.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed these suggestions on how to meet people while travelling as a digital nomad. Digital nomadism does not have to mean a life of isolation. Being intentional about meeting new people as you travel can help you form some true friendships that you will value for life!