Follow up while the meeting is still fresh
A short message within a day or two keeps the shared moment clear and makes a second interaction feel natural.
Erasmus friendship guide
How to make friends during Erasmus after the first hello
This guide starts after you have met someone. The goal is to turn a promising first conversation into repeated plans, shared context and a friendship that keeps growing.
Why Erasmus acquaintances often fade before they become friendships
This guide focuses on what happens after the first contact. If you still need to find the right places, events or channels, start with how to meet Erasmus students. Once you have exchanged a few words or contacts, the challenge changes from discovery to continuity.
Many students assume a good first conversation will naturally become a friendship. In practice, new contacts often fade because nobody suggests a second plan, the follow-up is too vague or both people keep moving between different groups.
Friendship in a new city becomes more likely when you create repeated, low-pressure contact. A concrete invitation, a shared routine and a reason to meet again matter more than trying to create instant closeness.
If you want the city context behind these habits, start from the Erasmus cities hub or the Unera homepage. Then compare cities such as Erasmus in Bologna, Erasmus in Florence, and Erasmus in Rome to see how social rhythm changes by destination. For the product side, see the best app for Erasmus students.
The habits that turn Erasmus acquaintances into friends
A first meeting creates possibility. Friendship grows when the next interactions are easy, specific and repeatable.
Suggest one low-pressure plan
Coffee, lunch, a walk or a small group event gives the connection room to grow without turning it into a major commitment.
Make the next step concrete
A day, place or shared activity gives the connection a future, while vague promises usually disappear after the first meeting.
How to make friends during Erasmus step by step
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01
Send a message connected to the first meeting
Mention the class, event, conversation or shared interest you already have in common instead of restarting from zero.
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02
Propose one specific second interaction
Invite the person to something simple and time-bound rather than saying that you should meet again someday.
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03
Create a third point of contact
After the second meeting, connect the person to another plan, place or small group so the friendship is not dependent on one occasion.
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04
Build a small routine
Seeing each other regularly in the same social circuit is what turns occasional contact into an actual friendship.
Common mistakes when trying to make Erasmus friends
Collecting contacts without using them
A long contact list can feel social, but friendship only develops when someone creates a real second interaction.
Waiting for the perfect group
Trying to enter one complete friendship group can be harder than building two or three individual connections that later overlap.
Only meeting in loud or occasional settings
Parties can create first contact, but calmer repeat plans make it easier to remember details, talk properly and build trust.
How Unera supports friendship during Erasmus
Keep relevant contacts easy to reach
Student context and shared interests make it easier to remember why you connected and what kind of follow-up makes sense.
Move from an event to a second plan
Use a shared event as the starting point for a smaller follow-up instead of treating it as an isolated social moment.
Build continuity around shared routines
Chat and recurring plans make it easier to move from one meeting to a stable social routine with the same people.
FAQ
Useful questions about making friends during Erasmus
Is it easy to make friends during Erasmus?
It can become much easier once you stop treating friendship as a one-off social performance and start using repeated student contexts with simple follow-up.
How long does it take to make friends abroad?
It depends on the city and your routine, but repeated contact over a few weeks usually matters more than trying to create instant closeness in one night.
How do I turn an Erasmus acquaintance into a friend?
Follow up while the first meeting is still fresh, suggest one specific low-pressure plan and create another reason to see each other after that.
What should I message after meeting someone during Erasmus?
Refer to the place, conversation or interest you shared, then suggest a simple next step with enough detail to make replying easy.
Download
Download Unera and turn new contacts into Erasmus friendships
Use Unera to keep relevant students, shared events and follow-up conversations connected after the first meeting.
Related Erasmus guides