#LifeAbroad: Making new friends as an adult is a lot like dating. Every now and again, a new friend seems interesting enough to exchange numbers. The follow-up meeting within a week or two is crucial to ensure that initial connection doesn’t fizzle. /1

Takes a few friend dates to know if the friendship is worth further investment. Some you hope to fizzle naturally, but then a text comes in months later to rekindle.

You give it another chance. Fortunately, with friend dates, you can bring in others to ease awkwardness. /2

Some friendships click instantly, but the breakup happens when that friend moves away. The cyclical going-away parties means it’s time to get back into the game.

Again comes the convos on how long we’ve been in-country, what we do, where we live, and where we came from. /3

Ah the joy of living abroad. The process to create this community can be arduous, but eases with each year that passes. And once formed, our unique shared experiences in this place in time bind us for life. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💛" title="Gelbes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Gelbes Herz"> /4