The Joy of Meeting New People

Meeting new people has always been my passion. Ever since I made a new friend abroad, I have never stopped making new friends from different parts of the world. From the highest peak of Mongolia to the strangest sounding land of Lithuania, I have all made a friend there. They have taught me a lots of things which I can never read on any history or cultural books.

Even before the rise of Facebook and Twitter, I have been connected to the internet through the Jurassic site like Gaia Online and Interpals. Gaia Online has been my first virtual world where I meet people from different country. With my curious mind that time, I tend to commit cultural mistakes such as asking for sensitive stuffs that I think are just normal things to ask in my country. You will then realize that the world is so colorful and so diverse that what's right in your country might not be right for them which makes you more culturally sensitive and be more of a citizen of the world. 

Join and meet people on exchange. Even though you go the program alone, but don't be a loner. You go there to exchange ideas and build networks, and not to just sit on a corner all alone. You have been get together because you all have the same interest and that is to travel and meet people. Those people that you will meet might be your next best friends, and maybe your travel buddies. Also, you don't know you might need their help when you go to their country. So, go on join an exchange NOW!  

Don't be afraid to meet people online, they might be your buddy abroad. Before I went to South Korea, I have make sure to do research about the country. Since it is my first time to travel abroad and to live there for four months, I befriend with all the Koreans I saw in Interpals. I tried to ask them how is life in Korea, how much are the stuffs there, and what should I expect there. Then I stumbled to one Korean guy who is also going to the same university as mine. He has been my buddy my whole stay in the university. He show me around the campus, and have lunch and dinner with me. We have also traveled together around the province. Take risk, not all people on the internet are bad guys. Remember you are also one of those guys in the internet. There are lots of online platforms where you can meet people online, just choose the legit and safe one. I, myself, use Interpals and Couchsurfing. 

Talk to strangers. Ask for direction. If you are taught to don't talk to stranger on your country, then I must say forget about it. People are just as afraid of you as you are of them. You are a new to a foreign land and you don't know much of the direction so try to ask if you feel so lost. Don't be so arrogant and act as if you know everything. Sometimes, it feels great just to be lost so you can have conversation with the locals. You don't know how much information you will get to them, and also you can practice your language learning skills with them.

"I take your pictures, you take mine." This phrase is just so classic that almost all alone travelers use it. Who wouldn't want to have pictures of them while travelling, right? This phrase is a good ice breaker if you travel alone. I tell you, they will surely eager to help you and take that candid traveler shot you like. When I was in Japan, I was asked by a Malaysian stranger while in Asakusa temple to take a photo of her and she told me she will also take mine. Good deal, eh? It just so good that you gonna have interaction with alone travelers. 

You don't need to travel to meet people and exchange ideas with them. Join Postcrossing! With just the comfort of your computer chair, you gonna have the opportunity to travel and meet people. I, myself, have exchange more than a hundred postcards to hundred of people all over the world. You gonna exchange cards from various age, sex, and nationality. And each card will have a unique story to tell. It just depends on you if you gonna be open for more or not. 

There are a lots of way to make new friends online and offline. All you have to have is an open mind. Take the initiative and don't be afraid. Talk to the locals. Talk to fellow travelers. You don't know your seatmate on the subway, or the person in front of you might be your next travel buddy. I tell you, there are more better sites than Facebook. Why surround yourself with your shitty high school schoolmate whom you have never known of, when you can have the bests of world surround you. VON voyage!