Building a community when you move abroad is no easy feat! In this post, Chatteris Tutor Ciara Salisbury explores ways Chatteris supports this, and other ways to expand your circle and enrich your life in Hong Kong…

Moving abroad for the first time is exciting, but it can also feel intimidating. While many incoming school-based staff (tutors and interns) are looking forward to exploring Hong Kong and starting work in their schools, one challenge often goes unmentioned: building a social life from scratch. 

I had lived abroad before through university, but this was the first time I was heading to a new country without my friends and classmates coming with me. This is why Chatteris was so attractive to me, I could have the opportunity to move abroad with a built-in community. I made myself a promise to say yes to almost everything in my first month here. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made, and I will be sharing what I did below! If you are also preparing to move to Hong Kong, here are some great ways to meet new people and start building your own community.  

Chatteris Events

One of the easiest ways to meet people is through Chatteris itself. Everyone is in a similar position, especially during the first few months, and many people are looking to make friends just as much as you are! There are lots of different initiatives within Chatteris to help you along the way:

  1. Chatteris Clubs: Whether you’re sporty, creative, or simply looking to try something new, there’s likely a Chatteris Club for you. Across this academic year, the school-based staff have led clubs such as Hiking Club, Chatteris Foodies, Chatteris FC, Beach Clean Club, and Calligraphy Club. These activities create opportunities to connect with people outside of your immediate friendship circle and school placement.
  2.  Chatteris LOVE: Whether you join a weekend outing, attend a cultural event, or simply stay behind for snacks and games after a professional development session, there is always something happening with Chatteris LOVE. These events provide a relaxed environment where conversations happen naturally, making it easier to meet new people. Some LOVE events from this academic year have included bao bun tasting, Cantonese taster classes, and Chinese paper cutting crafts.
  3. Chatteris Community Programmes: Community programmes are another fantastic way to meet people. Working alongside colleagues from different schools and teams allows you to build connections you might not otherwise make through your day-to-day role. These programmes create a shared sense of purpose and often lead to meaningful conversations, new friendships, and stronger connections within the wider Chatteris community. They are also a great way to learn from others’ experiences while contributing to projects that support students beyond the classroom.

Art Jams & Wider Hobbies

One thing I quickly discovered in Hong Kong is that socialising doesn’t always have to revolve around food or nightlife.  

Art jams have become one of my favourite ways to unwind after a busy week. They provide a relaxed environment where you can meet people while trying something creative, regardless of your artistic ability. Art jams can be found all over Hong Kong, from workshops hosted in local cafés to events organised by creative collectives such as Bad Times Disco. If you can’t find an event that suits you, why not organise your own? Inviting a few friends or colleagues to paint, sketch, or try a craft together can be just as rewarding and is a great excuse to bring people together. 

If painting isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other hobby-based activities that can help you to meet people while developing new skills. Hong Kong offers a class or club on every theme under the sun! Taking up a new hobby, or continuing passions, can be a great way to establish a routine outside of work while surrounding yourself with people who share similar interests. Unlike traditional networking events, hobby groups take the pressure off socialising, as conversations often develop naturally through the activity itself. 

A great example is taking a Cantonese class – this can be a fantastic way to connect with both locals and fellow newcomers to Hong Kong. Many language schools and community groups offer beginner-friendly Cantonese classes, providing not only a practical skill for everyday life but also an opportunity to meet people who are equally curious about Hong Kong’s culture and language. Shared interests and regular attendance often make conversations feel more natural, allowing friendships to develop over time. 

Friendship Apps & Online Communities

Making friends as an adult can feel awkward, but these apps can help to ease this process! For example, Bumble BFF tends to have lots of people in a similar position – newcomers to Hong Kong looking to expand their social circles.Meetup is also a useful platform for finding events based on your interests, from hiking groups to language exchanges and board game nights. 

Additionally, Hong Kong also has countless online communities where people organise events, including women’s communities such as She Runs Collective, walking groups such as Walk Hong Kong, and hiking groups. These groups are great for helping you find people with similar interests outside the education sector.

Explore Hong Kong with your Chatteris Cohort

One of the fastest ways to build friendships is through shared experiences. Many friendships develop simply because someone suggests a day trip, creates a group chat, or invites others to join their plans. Don’t be afraid to start the WhatsApp group, organise the outing, or join someone else’s plans! 

Hong Kong offers endless opportunities for adventure, from hiking trails and outlying islands to night markets and cultural festivals. Exploring these places with others often creates the memories that turn acquaintances into friends. 

Conclusion

Making friends takes time, and it’s completely normal to feel lonely at points when moving abroad. Most people experience moments of homesickness and uncertainty, especially during the first few months abroad. 

The key is to take the initiative when  developing these friendships: put yourself in situations where connections can develop. Join the club, attend the event, say yes to the invitation, and don’t be afraid to suggest plans yourself. 

Some of the strongest friendships you’ll make in Hong Kong may come from opportunities you almost didn’t attend. For me, saying yes during those first few weeks made all the difference.

 

Want to meet new people and create lasting friendships abroad while impacting Hong Kong students? Click here to take the first step on this journey and apply for the Chatteris International Graduate Programme.