Loneliness Abroad: How Do Africans Build Friendships and Community in a New Country?

Tokunbo Central’s answer: loneliness is one of the most common struggles for Africans abroad, and you are not alone in feeling it. What helps most:

• Join something regular: a church, mosque, association, sports team, gym class or volunteering group. Regular contact builds friendships.
• Say yes to invitations, even when you are tired.
• Find your people online and offline: Community, alumni groups and professional networks.
• Make friends beyond your community too: neighbours, colleagues and parents at your child’s school.
• Keep in touch with home with scheduled calls, not just when things go wrong.
• Look after your mental health: talk to your doctor or a counsellor if low mood lasts. Many services offer free or low-cost support.

Your turn: what helped you make your first real friends abroad?