Finding Community in Mannheim
Last year I moved from the United Kingdom to Mannheim, Germany, to teach English. It was my first experience living abroad, and moving alone to a country where I knew nobody and didn’t speak the language was daunting, to say the least.
In my first weeks in Mannheim, I found myself repeatedly googling “how to make friends in a new city” and “how to meet people as an expat,” but I largely found generic or unrealistic advice. The truth is, we no longer live in a world where you can easily spark a friendship by approaching someone at the bus stop or in a coffee shop.
The hardest part of moving to Mannheim was arriving in a city where everyone else seemed already settled into their friendships and communities. When I had moved to a new city for university years earlier, making friends felt much easier as everyone was in the same boat, navigating unfamiliar surroundings and looking to connect.
This time was different. I had to push past my fear of rejection and take a much more proactive approach: reaching out to people, seeking out community, and saying yes to every opportunity that came my way.
From using social media, meetup platforms, and even dating apps to find like-minded friends, to meeting locals and fellow expats through new hobbies, I eventually built a strong community as a solo expat in Germany.
Find a ‘Third Place’
During my time in Mannheim, I regularly visited the local bouldering gym. I found this not only a great way to keep fit but also a welcoming place where I met people of all ages and backgrounds. For me, the gym served as a third place.
In today’s digital society, it is worryingly easy to move between just two environments: home (our ‘first place’) and work (our ‘second place’), without engaging in a third space for socializing and relaxation.
A third place is a space outside the home or work where people can unwind, connect with others, and feel a sense of belonging. These spaces are crucial for building community and addressing the growing epidemic of loneliness.
As an expat, finding a third place you enjoy is one of the most effective ways to meet new people. Common examples include libraries, gyms, places of worship, cafés, craft clubs, or local sports groups.
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Take a Class to Learn Something New
Unfortunately, nowadays it can be difficult to meet people simply by going to the gym or regularly visiting a café. A fun way to socialize whilst learning a new skill is to take a class and try something new.
When I moved to Mannheim, I took dance classes and enjoyed exploring different styles whilst having a laugh and chatting with others. I didn’t speak much German and had little dance experience, so I was nervous before my first class, but after a few lessons, I found it easy enough to follow along and fit in.
Whether you are into sports, music, art, or something entirely different, I highly recommend taking a class to learn something new, boost your confidence, and meet like-minded people.
Meet People Through Social Media and Expat Groups
Whilst meeting locals is a fun way to embrace the culture and practice the language when living abroad, I often found it comforting to connect with fellow expats. Most cities and larger towns have multiple expat groups.
Through searching on Facebook, I discovered several groups in Mannheim, and joined one called Girls Gone International (GGI). Through GGI, I met lovely friends from all over the world, spanning various ages and life paths. I enjoyed attending book club meetings and exploring new cafes with the group.
Since I had just graduated university when I moved to Mannheim, I also made many friends my age through ESN, a Mannheim University group for Erasmus students on their year abroad. ESN has groups for students in most European University cities.
Finally, although a little embarrassing to admit, I used the app Bumble—not for dating, but to meet friends. Bumble offers a spinoff app called BFF or Bumble for Friends, which allows you to swipe through profiles of people nearby with similar interests, who are usually also new to the area.
Whilst I found it somewhat intense to message and meet up with people one-on-one, I met some lovely friends through BFF and enjoyed going for hikes and crocheting in cozy local cafes with them. It was fun to host gatherings to introduce friends whom I had met in different places to each other.
Best Mannheim Tours & Excursions
Ultimately, moving to a new city where I didn’t have any friends or know the language was an incredibly daunting but rewarding experience. It boosted my confidence and taught me a variety of new skills, from dancing and crocheting to simply being a better conversationalist.
Through finding a third space, learning new hobbies, joining expat groups, and reaching out to people via social media, I met many like-minded friends and found a community that made a once unfamiliar city feel like home.
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Author Bio: Victoria Wilson is a writer, climber and solo traveller based in the UK. Read more articles on her Linktree.
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