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Study abroad : Once you arrive

Conversation starters for international students

We know it can feel intimidating speaking to new people but with these questions you won't have a problem.

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So, you’ve decided to move abroad for your studies. Great! While part of you is probably looking forward to this next adventure, you may also be feeling nervous about making new friends and starting conversations. While all new students tend to feel this way, it can be particularly daunting for international students due to language barriers and cultural differences. That’s why we’re giving you some conversation starters to ease you into your first few weeks at university.

 

First things first, many conversations usually start with an introduction of hello/hi/hey. If this is your first conversation with someone new, you should always say your name and then ask what their name is e.g., ‘Hi my name’s Amy, what’s your name?’ This is a great way to initiate a new conversation. Then, you can start asking more topical questions to get to know the person better.

 

Do you live on campus? / Which halls do you live in?

 

These kinds of questions are particularly relevant within your first few weeks of university as everyone is settling into their new homes. You might even be staying in the same halls as each other which would give you more to talk about and could potentially lead to swapping phone numbers to organise other meet ups.

 

What are your flat mates like? / Do you like your flat mates?

 

You might be able to share some funny stories about your new flat mates or any specific experiences that you have had with them so far. This also shows your interest in the other person’s living situation which may spark further conversation.

 

How are you finding university so far?

 

This can be a great way to share how you’re both feeling, no matter whether the answer is positive or negative, they will probably really appreciate being asked. At the start of term especially, emotions can run high as you’re far from home, adjusting to a new culture and finding your independence, so checking in with people is not only kind but also a great way to find a connection.

 

If you or anyone else is really struggling with the transition to university, either refer them to or check out our mental health guide.

 

Where are you from?

 

Everyone has something to say about where they are from which makes this question an easy one. This also gives you the opportunity to hear about another person’s home and culture. If they haven’t come far from your study destination, you can ask about the best places to visit nearby, what they like about the country/town/city, what they least like about it and so on.

 

If they are also from abroad, you then have an immediate connection as you are both international students. If this is the case, you can ask why they chose to study abroad, what their home country is like, how they have found the experience, what they are looking forward to etc.

 

Why did you choose this university?

 

One common ground you share with other students is that you both chose the same university. So why not ask why they decided to study here, what they’re enjoying most, what they are finding difficult about the university and so on. This can also be a great way to find out more about the institution and places you have not yet explored. You might also discover that you both chose this university for similar reasons.

 

What course are you doing?

 

Although meeting people on your course is arguably more straightforward, you can still speak to people in other settings such as your accommodation, at freshers’ events, or in the library. This then gives you the chance to ask other students what course they are studying. This might be something completely different to your own degree, which can lead to further questions such as why they chose this course, how big the class sizes are, what the teachers are like and so on.

 

Have you joined any clubs or societies?

 

This question will give you an idea of another person’s interests and hobbies. Plus, if they are part of any clubs or societies and you like the sound of it, you could join too, and then you’d already have a friendly face you could speak to.

 

What are you up to this weekend?

 

Asking someone what they have planned for the weekend is always a trusty conversation starter and it gives you some insight into who they are and what they enjoy doing outside of university. Plus, you could even be invited to join, particularly in the early days of university when everyone is open to meeting new people.

 

Have you got any plans for the summer/winter break?

 

One academic year at university typically lasts for 36 weeks (just under nine months). So, you’ve got three months in total where you won’t be having lectures. The summer break is the longest, lasting between two to three months depending on your course and university. This is plenty of time to fit in some travel, work experience, visiting relatives and so on. This can be a great way to learn about someone else and can be a good open question to elicit further conversation.

 

Speaking to lots of new people isn’t only a great way to make new friends and feel connected to others but it is also useful for improving your language skills. Hopefully some of these conversation starters are useful for you.

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