Get Involved
- Look for opportunities to get involved in activities that are of interest to you.
- Involvement in sports teams, clubs, faith groups, or volunteer organizations can help you meet other people who have similar interests to you.
- Don’t wait for people to come to you; get out there and look for opportunities to meet others.
Be Open-Minded
- As you meet new people, you will be exposed to new cultures, values and beliefs. These may be different from those you have been exposed to in your hometown, your family or with your high school friends.
- If you are going to college or university, one of the most exciting parts of that experience is being exposed to ideas that are different from your own. Being exposed to different ideas can make you feel uncomfortable, but don’t shut yourself off from ideas that are new to you or different than yours.
- Try to be open-minded, inquisitive, and interested in how others live.
- Think about things critically – both the new ideas you are facing and those you have carried with you from before. This will help lead you to new and potentially enriching life experiences and relationships.
Communication
- Do all you can to be welcoming and open to new people.
- Introduce yourself to others and listen to their stories and perspectives – especially when they differ from your own experience.
- Depending on your comfort level - smile, make eye contact, laugh and enjoy relating to others.
- At the same time, be aware that not everyone greets each other the same way. For example, hugging someone when you greet them is common in some cultures but not in others. Be respectful and considerate, while at the same time being yourself.
