We all know that making friends in a big city is not always simple.
There are many reasons for this: arriving in a new country, moving from high school to university, or simply wanting to meet new people. In a major city where so many cultures and personalities coexist and especially at Richmond, where students come from across the world – America, Europe, Africa, and Asia – it’s natural to wonder how to build real connections in a city where everyone seems different.
My name is Cleopatra and I’m from Spain, a country known for its open and social culture. Before moving to London in February, I was genuinely scared of not fitting in or struggling to make friends. I understand the fear of starting from scratch, especially when you don’t fully know the language or the culture. But instead of letting that fear stop me, I looked for opportunities to meet people who might share something with me a hobby, a passion, or even a faith. And now, I want to share what I’ve learned.
Using London and your University
London is a huge, fast-paced city, with a reputation for grumpy commuters. But in fact, it is incredibly social. There are countless businesses and community spaces offering activities: pubs with quiz nights, pottery workshops, salsa classes, book clubs, and free outdoor groups for running, football, or yoga. If you want to meet people, London gives you plenty of chances.
At Richmond we have a wide range of societies that make the process of getting to know people so much easier, from baking, reading, and football, to Korean and Japanese culture and even gaming. These societies are the key to building community during your time at university – to know people that shared the love for the same thing as you.
Social Media Groups
One of the easiest first steps is joining social media groups. Simply typing your desired activity – I like running and reading, for example – can connect you with people you would never have met otherwise. I typed, “Girls in London running club”, “Girls in London book club”, or “Girls in London” in the search bar of Facebook, and all the group chats I found have led to real friendships and fun meetups.
Physical Communities
Another great way to make friends is by joining a physical community – while there are opportunities online, don’t forget to look at what is around you in the world. Because I’m Christian, I joined a lovely church here in London, and they organize many activities where you can volunteer and meet people. During Easter, I helped at an event called Find the Bunny, and I met people I’m still in contact with today. Serving alongside others creates a natural space to talk, bond, and build friendships. I really encourage you to get involved in activities where people your age are also volunteering; it opens the door to genuine connections.
Mix it Up
If you prefer quieter, low-energy activities, London has plenty of options too. There are book clubs, chess clubs, yoga groups, and more. You can find many of them for free through vlogs or TikTok, where this topic is very popular. I remember searching for churches during my first week and finding mine almost immediately. At the same time, I discovered book clubs with different themes, fantasy, rom‑coms, thrillers so you never have to enjoy your hobbies alone if you want to build a community around them.
Advice from Other Students
Wanting to hear more opinions on this topic, I spoke with my roommates who moved here recently. Marguerite from France told me: “Making friends in London is about trying different things and putting yourself out there. It’s kind of scary but worth it.” Australian Rachel added, “Sometimes I get super busy with work, but I love being able to get to know different cultures through people at every opportunity.”
To me, making friends can even start from the home. Marguerite and Rachel were stranger flat mates when I first moved here in February, and now we regularly do activities together. If you have shared living space, you can join them in the kitchen or living room – start with small talk and propose activities like going for a walk (free and timeless), discovering new cafes (delicious) or even starting your own club. This can be a great way to make deep bonds, not only because you already live together but also because you can easily get to know them more deeply.
A Final Note on Making Friends
Last but not least, be yourself. Something that Richmond taught me is to be proud of my roots and differences and eventually people who are similar to you or compatible with you will feel drawn to your personality. Do not force yourself to be someone you are not because you would end up in a group that is not for you. And sometimes being yourself is difficult (I certainly know that) but it is the best way to make a real connection that will last a long time (and in some cases, forever).
So now you know how to make friends in London: be yourself, join groups using Facebook and other social media, go to clubs and meetings that focus on your hobbies and volunteer – you never know where you will end up!
