How Social Media Can Help You Make Genuine Friends Abroad

In today’s digital world, social media has become more than just a platform for sharing photos or updates, it’s a bridge that connects people across continents. For international students and young professionals, it has created endless opportunities to make global friends and experience different cultures without boundaries. As one popular genuine friend's quote says, “Friendship knows no distance when hearts are connected.” Through social media, that statement has never been truer.

But while social media connects millions, it also raises an important question: Does social media make you lonely, or does it help you find meaningful friendships abroad? How can one tell the difference between superficial interactions and genuine connections? How can students and expats use social platforms to find real communities that make living abroad more fulfilling?

At Platuni, we understand that building real connections in a new environment goes beyond sharing a roof, it’s about forming friendships that feel authentic and lasting. This article explores how social media can help you make global friends, share experiences across cultures, and build genuine relationships while studying or living abroad. You’ll also discover practical ways to use social platforms wisely, without losing yourself in the noise of endless scrolling.

Why Is Making Friends Abroad So Difficult?

Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel like stepping into a whole new world. Everything, from the language and culture to the food and humor, can be completely different. For many international students and travelers, making new friends abroad can feel harder than expected. While it’s easy to meet people online, forming real, lasting connections takes time, effort, and understanding.

As one genuine friend's quote reminds us, “True friendship isn’t about being inseparable, it’s about being separated and nothing changes.” But building those kinds of friendships in a foreign environment can be challenging when you’re still adjusting to life’s new rhythms.

Here are a few reasons why many people find it difficult to make meaningful friendships abroad:

• Cultural differences: Communication styles, social norms, and values can vary widely, making it harder to connect on a personal level at first.
• Language barriers: It can feel intimidating to start conversations when you’re not fluent in the local language.
• Different schedules and priorities: Students and professionals often have busy lives, which limits time for building close friendships.
• Social media illusions: While platforms make it easier to stay “connected,” they sometimes create surface-level interactions. It’s why many people still ask, “Does social media make you lonely?” because a real connection requires more than likes and comments.
• Homesickness and comfort zones: Missing home and familiar people can make it hard to open up to new relationships.

Even with these challenges, making genuine connections abroad is possible. Social platforms and co-living communities like Platuni make it easier to make global friends who share your interests, values, and daily experiences. When you live and interact with people from different backgrounds, every day becomes an opportunity to learn, grow, and build friendships that last far beyond borders.

Also Read: How Frequent Travel Can Enhance Your Networking Opportunities

How Social Media Can Help You Make Genuine Friends Abroad

#1. Connecting with New People

Social media is often the first place where students form early connections, sometimes even before arriving on campus. Many universities maintain Facebook groups, Instagram pages, and Discord servers for incoming students to ask questions, share interests, and plan meetups.

Take Sara, a freshman from Mexico attending college in Canada. Before her first semester began, she joined her school’s “Class of 2028” Facebook group. There, she connected with a fellow international student from Brazil, forming a friendship that helped ease her transition into a new country and campus culture.

If you're moving into shared housing, social platforms are a great way to preview potential roommates’ personalities. Services like Platuni.com simplify this even further by helping you find compatible student roommates based on lifestyle, habits, and values.

#2. Staying in Touch with Old Friends

Studying abroad or relocating for college often means leaving behind family and friends. Social media makes it easier to maintain these relationships. Platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat allow students to stay updated on each other's lives in real time.

Marcus, an American student studying in Australia, uses WhatsApp to check in with his high school friends. They chat regularly, share memes, and schedule group video calls. According to a Pew Research study, the majority of young adults use social media primarily to stay in touch with people they care about, proving its value as a long-distance relationship tool.

Also Read: The Best Tips to Making Friends in a New Country

#3. Organising Social Events

Social media helps students coordinate study groups, plan events, or simply invite people to hang out. Facebook Events and Instagram Stories are popular for promoting on-campus activities and casual meetups.

Kayla, a sophomore psychology student, uses Instagram to run her book club. Through regular stories and posts, she keeps members informed about book selections and meeting dates. This digital consistency has helped her form genuine friendships with like-minded classmates.

Living in a student co-living space? Use group chats and roommate platforms like Platuni.com to plan everything from grocery runs to weekend movie nights, creating real-world bonding moments.

#4. Maintaining Long-Distance Friendships

Friendships formed during college don't always stay local. Between semester breaks, internships, and study abroad programs, many students find themselves maintaining long-distance relationships.

Jackson and Emma met during an exchange program in Germany. Even after returning to their respective home countries, they’ve stayed connected through Snapchat and TikTok, sharing videos, photos, and voice notes. An article by Abundance Therapy explains how online interaction can maintain closeness, provided it's supported by meaningful communication.

#5. The Challenges of Online Friendships

While social media strengthens connections, it’s not without drawbacks. Sometimes, digital interactions replace real conversations. Overuse may lead to feelings of loneliness, especially when comparing your life to others' highlight reels.

To avoid this, use social platforms to enhance, not replace, in-person connections. Real-life conversations, shared meals, and physical presence remain the foundation of lasting friendships, especially in shared apartments or dorm life.

Also Read: How Traveling Can Boost Creativity and Problem-Solving

#6. Making Social Media Work for You

Here’s how to use social media intentionally and meaningfully:

• Set boundaries: Use app timers or schedule “screen-free” time to prevent burnout.
• Be authentic: Honest posts and real conversations build deeper friendships than filters or curated content.
• Collaborate academically: Create project groups or study chats to turn academic effort into bonding opportunities.
• Bring it offline: Use social media to plan actual meetups. Invite a roommate to a movie night or organise a study session.

These small steps turn digital connections into real relationships.

Conclusion

Social media is a powerful tool that helps international and local students build friendships, stay in touch, and navigate the ups and downs of college life. When used mindfully, it strengthens both your digital and real-world social circles.

Whether you’re trying to make new friends, stay connected with old ones, or coordinate with roommates, social platforms offer practical solutions for a more connected student experience. Want to meet like-minded people, find student housing, or build a community abroad? Head to Platuni.com or download the app to discover your next roommate, study partner, or lifelong friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make global friends as an international student?

You can make global friends by joining online student communities, social media groups, and shared living platforms like Platuni, which connects you with compatible roommates and classmates worldwide.

Does social media really help you build genuine friendships?

Yes, when used mindfully. Social media can create meaningful bonds if you’re authentic, consistent, and take conversations offline. As the saying goes, “Genuine friends are those who stay even when distance grows.”

Does social media make you lonely?

It depends on how you use it. Overuse and comparison can cause loneliness, but when used to connect, organise meetups, and stay in touch, social media strengthens friendships instead of replacing them.

What’s the best way to turn online connections into real friendships?

Start with small steps, invite someone for coffee, join study groups, or plan events. Platforms like Platuni make this easier by matching students with similar lifestyles and interests, helping digital connections grow into real friendships.

How does Platuni help international students with friendship and community?

Platuni goes beyond social media by creating safe, student-centered spaces where you can meet potential roommates, study partners, and friends. It’s designed for students who want to embrace cultures, celebrate diversity, and build lifelong connections in a new environment.