Hi I'm on a study abroad program with no one I know, I dont know how to make friends with them?

Question

- they are all older ( Im 18)

- today is the first day, I pretty much hung out by myself :(

- I'm in Austria ( never had German)

- Im feeling pretty bad *tears* right now

- this is a 5 week program

- we can go places by ourselves, but Im kinda afraid ( Im in Salzburg)

Answer 1

Don't expect others to make the first move! If you want to make friends YOU ask them if they want to go someplace. They may be older, but by 18 in Europe you're all adults -- all on the same footing.

One thing to ask yourself, why are you in Austria? What made you want to go? What did you want to see? Now, get out there and see them. Go to that museum, concert, park! Go tour a palace! Many of these tourist places will not require German ... check on line and see when English tours are given! You will also be quite safe at these places.

Are you staying with a family? Go talk to them! Are you staying in a dorm, go knock on the next door!

I also DISAGREE with the poster who said get Skype and stay in touch with home. That will make things worse. You will miss home even more. Once a week is plenty! (It will make your parents feel better, but not you). Communicating in English will also hurt your German progress. I'll get some "thumbs down" for this, but I've been doing this a lot of years! I KNOW!

Turn off the computer, get out there, go and do so you don't regret this experience. The first day is hard but if you get out the door, the next day will be easier.

Answer 2

My daughter had a similar experience last summer in Italy.   What you're going through is completely normal though and will improve over time.  The point of your program abroad is to learn and grow, so just know that by the time you go home, you'll look back and see how and where your experience changed you.  If you don't have skype.com, download it and stay in touch with friends and family.  At the risk of sounding trite, you're lonely, but you're not alone.  Good luck.

Answer 3

This is no problem, ask them a lot of questions... ex: where did you go to school, college what did you like about it... if they have children or a wife ask them how they met and are there proud of their children and for what (I am assuming these are 30,35 year olds) and have fun!  This is a once in a lifetime experience, enjoy it!  Also, ask them what brought them here and be truthful, ask them if they want to go anywhere with you or help you see the sights!  Once you open up, they are bound to as well!  I really hope this helps have a great time in my homeland!