On Making Friends in a New Country
Deciding to move to Australia as an au pair is an exciting adventure, but I wasn’t prepared for how lonely it could feel. Because I came at the end of the year, many of the au pairs were ending their time here. Back home, I had my family and friends, people who I knew well and felt comfortable with. Suddenly, I found myself in a new country, living with a family I had just met, and struggling to find my own community. While my host family are kind and welcoming, I craved friendships outside of work—people my age who shared my interests. I spent my free time exploring Canberra, but without anyone to share it with, I often felt lonely.
That’s when I found Horizon Church. I have been looking for a church to attend, and this one was the first to appear in my Google search. I attended a service, unsure of what to expect. To my relief, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. People introduced themselves, asked about myself, and genuinely made me feel welcome. They gave me information for a young adult group and a crafting group. I attended church every Sunday, joined the young adults group, and joined the crafting group. Horizon quickly became a safe space where I could be myself, share my experiences, and connect with others who shared similar interests. I finally felt like I had a community to lean on.
Additionally, as the new year rolled in, a fresh wave of au pairs arrived in Canberra, and I found myself meeting more people who were in the same boat as me. A few of us clicked instantly, and we decided to try bouldering together as a group hobby. At first, I was not sure if I would enjoy it—I had never bouldered before—but it turned out to be an amazing way to bond. Every session, we struggled to climb, but also laughed at ourselves if we fell. We encouraged each other and shared in the triumphs of conquering difficult climbs. It became a weekly ritual, something we all looked forward to. Every so often, we would also land a night at a pub to hangout and make new friends with more au pairs.
Now, looking back on those first lonely months, I am amazed at how much has changed. Finding a church community and meeting fellow au pairs completely transformed my experience. I no longer feel isolated—I feel connected, supported, and genuinely happy. Instead of spending my days wishing for friends, I am now surrounded by incredible friends who make every adventure in Australia more meaningful. Loneliness is something most people face when moving abroad, but I have learned that putting yourself out there, joining groups, and trying new things can lead to the friendships you have been hoping for. I am so grateful for the people I have met.
