Arriving in another country can be exciting and lonely in the same week. Friendship usually grows through ordinary shared activities rather than a perfect welcome event. International students can build a stronger support network by meeting both Polish classmates and people from many other backgrounds.
Friendship is rarely instant
Moving abroad can create the impression that everyone else forms friendships during orientation week. In reality, close relationships often grow through repeated ordinary encounters rather than one unforgettable party. You may meet many people at a welcome event and then struggle to arrange a second conversation. That is normal in any busy university environment. Instead of judging your first month by the number of contacts saved in your phone, focus on activities where you will see the same people regularly: a seminar, sports group, volunteering project or language exchange. Familiarity gradually creates space for conversations that go beyond where someone comes from and what they study.
Find your local ESN section and buddy programme
Use the ESN Poland section directory to identify a group in your city and its associated university. The directory gives you a specific starting point instead of leaving you to search through unofficial social-media groups.
ESN's Buddy programme connects incoming exchange students with a local volunteer. Ask the section how to register and whether your type of enrolment qualifies. A full-degree international student should not assume that every exchange service is automatically available, but can ask the university international office about equivalent mentoring.
Send a short message with your university, arrival month and the kind of activity you want to join. A buddy can help you get oriented; official decisions about fees, residence or course registration still belong to the relevant office.
Explore circles beyond international students
It is easy for newcomers to remain within an English-speaking group, especially if their degree is taught entirely in English. That community can be supportive, but it may also limit contact with local student life. Look for mixed clubs, faculty projects, public lectures and volunteering opportunities where Polish and international students take part together. You do not need advanced Polish to join every activity, although you should ask about the language used. Bring something to the group beyond the fact that you are new: an interest in photography, coding, board games or sport. Relationships become more equal when everyone contributes skills, curiosity and time.
Conversation habits that build trust
Start with questions that invite an actual answer: what surprised someone about a course, which city neighbourhood they like or what activity they recommend outside lectures. Resist treating a Polish classmate as a representative of all Poles, just as you would not want to speak for everyone in your home country. Humour, personal space and conversational directness vary among individuals. If a joke does not translate, ask rather than assuming bad intent. Pronouncing someone's name carefully and remembering details from an earlier chat show attention. Small acts of reliability—arriving when promised, replying to an invitation—often matter more than fluent social performance.
Make room for different rhythms
Some students enjoy frequent social gatherings; others prefer quiet routines, part-time work or time with family. A friend declining an invitation may be busy, tired or simply uninterested in that activity. Do not turn it into a cultural theory. Suggest a low-pressure alternative, such as coffee after class or a short walk. If you are sharing accommodation, agree openly about guests, noise and cleaning rather than relying on unspoken expectations. Differences become easier to manage when discussed early. Strong international friendships are not built by eliminating every misunderstanding, but by learning how to handle one without blame or embarrassment.
Online groups are useful but need boundaries
Faculty chats, social-media communities and messaging groups can help newcomers find events and practical answers. They can also spread incorrect information about accommodation, residence procedures or university rules. For high-stakes issues, verify claims against official university or government sources. Be cautious when strangers request deposits, personal documents or access to accounts. Meeting new contacts in public places and telling a friend where you are going are sensible precautions. Online communities work best as introductions to real activities and reliable resources, not as substitutes for independent verification or face-to-face relationships.
A manageable first month plan
In week one, introduce yourself to two people on your course and join the official class communication channel. Ask one practical question about the timetable or an upcoming assignment.
In week two, attend one recurring activity: a sports session, language exchange, board-game group or student society. Choose something you would enjoy even if you made no immediate friend there.
In week three, return to the same activity and invite someone to a specific, inexpensive follow-up: a walk after class or lunch at a campus canteen. Giving a time and place makes an invitation easier to answer than saying that you should meet sometime.
In week four, keep the activities that fit your schedule and drop those you attended only out of pressure. This is a suggested routine, not a deadline for becoming settled. If persistent loneliness is affecting everyday life, ask your university what student support is available and in which languages.
