One of the most important things to remember when you move abroad is that the first period can feel lonely.
You are rebuilding your entire social life from zero and this can feel emotionally overwhelming sometimes.
New country, new city, new habits, new culture, new people, even a new version of yourself.
In the beginning, you might have that feeling that “everyone already has their life”, even though you expected your life abroad to feel exciting and social from the very beginning.
And the truth is, many international students are currently going through the exact same phase, even if nobody openly talks about it.
So why does making friends in Zurich
sometimes feel so difficult?
1. People already have established circles
One of the biggest culture shocks in Zurich is realizing that many people already have long-term friendships from school, university or their hometowns.
This does not mean people dislike internationals. In fact, most people are polite, respectful, and kind. But politeness and friendship are not the same thing.
You may have great conversations in class or at work and still rarely meet those people outside that environment.
For many international students, this creates a strange feeling of isolation, even while constantly being surrounded by people.
2. Swiss social life is more structured
Swiss people usually value structure, routine, and planning.
That means less spontaneity, fewer last-minute plans, and generally more organized schedules. People wake up early, focus on work, studies, family, sports, and personal routines.
If you come from a more spontaneous culture, social circles here can initially feel more closed compared to countries where friendships happen more casually and quickly.
But if you ask me, even though I come from Greece, where almost everything is arranged last minute, I have started embraced this lifestyle too.
I now prioritise my hobbies and personal time much more than before, and honestly, it just feels right. Not only does it bring balance and discipline, but it also reconnects you with yourself and helps you build confidence, independence, and self-esteem, which really helps in international environments.
If you want to understand this aspect better, you can also read my article about Swiss quality of life as a student.
3. Many people are only here temporarily
Zurich has a huge international population. Ironically, this sometimes makes friendships harder instead of easier.
This happens because many people:
- stay only for internships
- are only here for exchange semesters
- move cities quickly
- travel constantly
- or already plan to relocate again
As a result, social connections can sometimes feel temporary. You finally meet people you genuinely like, and a few months later they move away.
This emotional instability is something many internationals silently experience.
How to fix it?
1. Friendship apps actually help more than people think
A lot of internationals in Zurich meet through apps today, and honestly, there is no shame in that. It is actually very common.
Apps like:
- Bumble BFF
- Meetup
- Geneva
- Discord or WhatsApp communities
- Facebook groups for internationals and students
can genuinely help you find people in similar situations.
And because everyone there is actively looking to connect, online interactions often feel much more natural than trying to force random friendships in everyday life.
2. University events
Many students underestimate how useful university events can be socially. Especially during the first months, try saying yes to more things than usual:
- welcome events
- student association activities
- workshops
- after-class drinks
The more often people see you, the easier social connections become.
3. ESN groups: a must
If you are an exchange or international student, ESN groups (Erasmus Student Network) are often one of the easiest social starting points.
Their:
- WhatsApp chats
- Telegram groups
- trips
- events
- dinners
- pub nights
usually gather people who are also new to the city and actively looking to meet others.
Sometimes all it takes is one event to meet people you continue seeing afterwards.
Check out more here: ESN Zurich | ESN Accounts
4. Find communities based on your interests
One of the easiest ways to make meaningful friendships abroad is to look for people who already share something with you.
For example:
- gym communities
- hiking groups
- photography groups
- gaming communities
- language exchange groups
- volunteering
- study spaces
People become familiar with you first through shared interests. Friendship often comes later.
Facebook groups are still surprisingly useful for this in Zurich.
5. People from your own country
The good news is that internationals usually understand each other very quickly, and especially people from your own country.
If you feel homesick or alone, meeting people who share:
- your language
- your culture
- and similar experiences
can become an important stepping stone after moving abroad, which will make you feel immediately understood.
Sometimes your closest friendships abroad come from people you would have never met back home.
Check Facebook groups for people from your country living in Zurich.
In the meantime, learn to enjoy your own company too
This part is important. Do not put your entire happiness on pause until you build the “perfect” social life.
- Go explore cafés alone.
- Walk around the city.
- Study somewhere nice.
- Build routines you genuinely enjoy.
Learning to enjoy your own company abroad is one of the most underrated parts of the experience.
And remember, it is never too late for meaningful friendships.
As adults, friendships usually happen more slowly and intentionally, but often more deeply too, because people start prioritizing mutual understanding, shared values, and quality over quantity.
So, stay open, flexible and patient.
And finally, don’t forget that many people around you are also feeling socially disconnected, missing home, and searching for “their people”.
You are definitely not alone in this experience.