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7 tips for how to make friends as an international student
As an international student, studying at an overseas university opens the door to incredible opportunities. You’ll meet cool new people, experience diverse cultures and broaden your horizons in ways you may never have imagined.
Of course, it can feel slightly overwhelming when first settling in, especially if you’ve just moved on your own. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you settle into your new life in Canberra and Australia, and to make living and studying here feel like home.
1) Go to O-Week events
Orientation Week (O-Week) is one of the busiest (and most exciting) times of the university year. It’s a whole week of events designed to help new students, both local and international, meet, mingle and find their place on campus.
The highlight? Market Day. It’s the biggest O-Week event at ANU, when the uni truly comes to life. You’ll discover more than 110+ clubs and societies, pick up free merchandise and get your first experience of student life at ANU. For anyone studying as an international student, it’s a great entry point to making friends in Canberra.
Market Day is full of energy and is where new students come together to find out more about ANU.
2) Join a student club or society
Clubs and societies are among the best ways to build connections and feel at home. Whether you’re into sports, cooking, pop culture or music, you’ll find people who share your interests.
For international students, cultural clubs can be especially meaningful. Run by students from across the world, these student-run groups let you connect with others from your home country while also sharing traditions with new friends.
With regular meet-ups and events, clubs and societies give you a built-in social calendar, so there’s always something to do – perfect for anyone living in Canberra as an international student.
Clubs and societies are great for international students to meet new friends on campus.
3) Live on campus and get involved in your residential community
Living on campus at one of our 18 student residences makes settling into life in a new city easier. Everything you need is close by, and you’ll be surrounded by students from all over the world, many of whom are also new to Canberra and looking to make friends.
Residences host plenty of social events to help you connect with your neighbours. And if you’re in a flexi-catered or non-catered residence, cooking meals with other residents is a fantastic way to build friendships across cultures. For many, it’s the start of a lifelong community while studying in Canberra.
Living on campus connects you with other students and helps you build strong relationships.
4) Connect with the ANU International Students’ Department
The ANUSA International Students’ Department (ISD) is a student-run group representing and supporting all international students at ANU. They run events, workshops and mixers designed to help you settle in, find friends and feel confident navigating uni life in Australia.
As an international student at ANU, you’re automatically a member, so it’s an easy way to get involved, meet others and be part of a supportive community.
The ISD is a framework for connection, belonging and support for international students at ANU.
5) Go to information events for international students
Plenty of support systems are designed to help international students settle into life in Australia.
At ANU, we run information sessions for international students at the start of each semester. These cover everything from staying safe to managing daily life in Canberra, giving you the practical knowledge you need to feel confident in your new home.
Beyond the helpful info, these sessions are also a chance to meet other international students in Canberra going through the same experience, making them just as much about connection as they are about guidance.
Information groups are awesome for finding out what you need to know and to meet new people.
6) Make the most of social media
Your new community doesn’t just have to exist on campus in front of you. You can also find it on social media!
Many international students at ANU connect through Facebook groups, Discord servers and other student platforms where events, hangouts and opportunities are shared daily.
Joining these spaces is an easy way to stay in the loop, find new friends and make sure you never miss what’s happening around campus and in Canberra, a true student city.
Want to find a cool event near you? Check out online forums or notice boards run by students.
7) Check out an academic study group
Forming or joining a study group is a powerful way to deepen your understanding of course material while building friendships.
At ANU, many colleges and residences even run peer-assisted learning groups led by experienced mentors, so you’re not just studying, you’re learning collaboratively in a supportive setting.
Academic Skills at ANU also offers help: you can meet experienced Peer Mentors during drop-in sessions (no booking needed), book one-on-one appointments with Learning Advisers or Writing Coaches, and participate in workshops that turn studying into a social, connected experience.
Joining a study group with your peers is not just great for our academics – it can help you make friends too.
Hear from international student, Eunice Zhou
“I’ve gained so many strong connections, not only with my classmates but also with my neighbours in my student residence. I’ve really enjoyed the quality time I have spent with people here.”
Eunice is an international student at ANU who has created a new home on campus.
Now that you have an idea of how to make friends in Canberra, discover the coolest places to study around town.
