How to Make Local Friends While on an Erasmus+ or ESC Project (2026) 🤝

The fastest way to feel at home in your host country is to make local friends, not just international ones. An Erasmus+ Youth Exchange or European Solidarity Corps volunteering placement drops you into a real community for weeks or months, and the participants who connect with locals almost always describe the deepest, most memorable experience. This guide gives you eight practical, respectful ways to do exactly that, even if you are shy and do not speak the language yet. Last updated: 2026.

Make local friends at a glance:

Learn a few local phrases and use them.
Get out of the international bubble and into local activities.
Say yes to local invitations, when you feel safe.
Use social apps and local groups the right way.
Be curious, not critical.
Make the first move with small gestures.
Volunteer or join a language tandem locally.
Use your host organisation's local network.

According to Youth Works Hub, these small habits are what turn a place you are visiting into a place that feels like yours.

1. Learn a Few Local Phrases

Even a simple hello, thank you, or how are you in the local language goes a long way. It shows respect and interest, and it breaks the ice with a smile. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, even when you make mistakes, and a wrong word often becomes the funniest way to start a conversation. Aim for five or six phrases in your first week and use them everywhere: the shop, the bus, the cafe.

2. Get Out of the International Bubble

It is easy to spend every evening with the other participants, and that is fun, but it keeps you inside a bubble. Locals gather around shared interests, so go where they are:

Community workshops and hobby groups.
Sports teams and casual games in the park.
Language exchanges and cafes.
Local cultural events, markets, and festivals.

Shared interests do the introducing for you, so you meet people naturally instead of forcing it.

3. Say Yes to Local Invitations (When You Feel Safe)

If someone invites you to a meal, a gathering, or a weekend trip, say yes, as long as you feel safe and trust the situation. Experiencing a culture through food, music, and family is the fastest route to real friendship. Trust your instincts, tell a fellow participant or your mentor where you are going, and meet new people in public places first.

4. Use Social Apps the Right Way

Apps and local groups are full of people who also want to meet someone new. Look for Meetup events, local Facebook groups, and language cafes, and search for things like "Language Cafe" or "Events in [your town]." Join a couple, show up in person, and treat the app as the introduction, not the friendship itself.

5. Be Curious, Not Critical

Ask questions, stay open-minded, and show genuine interest in local customs, even when they are different from what you are used to. Curiosity builds mutual respect, and respect is the foundation of every friendship. A good rule: when something surprises you, ask "why is it done this way here?" instead of comparing it to home out loud.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Make the First Move

A smile, a small compliment, or a shared snack leads to big connections. If someone seems friendly, start the conversation, because most people are just as shy as you are. A simple opener works every time: "Hi, I am new here, do you have any local food recommendations?" You will be surprised how often that turns into an afternoon.

7. Volunteer or Join a Language Tandem Locally

Beyond your project, look for a local cause or a language tandem, where you help someone practise your language while they help you with theirs. Regular, low-pressure meetings build friendships steadily, and you learn the language and the local reality at the same time. This is also a great way to keep growing the non-formal learning mindset your project is built on.

8. Use Your Host Organisation's Local Network

Your hosting organisation lives in the community, so ask them. They know local volunteers, past participants, partner groups, and events, and a warm introduction from them is worth more than any app. Tell your mentor you want to meet locals, and they will usually point you somewhere. Being the kind of open, proactive participant described in our guide to the ideal ESC volunteer makes those introductions happen faster.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make local friends if I don't speak the language?

You do not need fluency. Learn a few phrases, lead with curiosity and body language, and lean on shared activities where language matters less, like sports, cooking, or music. Most friendships abroad start well before both people can hold a full conversation.

I'm shy. How do I start?

Start small and structured: join one recurring local activity so you see the same faces each week, and use a simple opener like asking for a food or place recommendation. Regular, low-pressure contact does the work for you.

Is it safe to accept invitations from locals?

Usually, but use judgment. Meet in public places first, tell a fellow participant or your mentor where you are going, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is completely fine to say no.

Where can I meet locals near my project?

Local activity and hobby groups, language cafes, Meetup and community Facebook groups, and, best of all, your hosting organisation's own local network. Ask your mentor for a warm introduction.

Do international friends still matter?

Absolutely. The friends you make from other countries are one of the best parts of any project. Local friends simply add a second, deeper layer that makes the host country feel like home.

In Short 📝

Making local friends on an Erasmus+ or ESC project comes down to eight simple habits: learn a few phrases, leave the international bubble, say yes to safe invitations, use local apps and groups well, stay curious rather than critical, make the first move, join a local activity or language tandem, and lean on your host organisation's network. According to Youth Works Hub, the best souvenirs from any project are the people you meet along the way.