Networking events and groups

Meeting new people can certainly feel daunting, and striking up a meaningful connection can be difficult, given the social rules of engagement in Norway.

People tend to be more reserved, and this is generally out of respect for your privacy than an unwillingness to be social.

Being in an environment that emphasises being social and meeting new people can help take the pressure off completely.

Norway’s big cities are home to plenty of networking groups where people can connect, and hopefully form friendships.

Timeleft is a platform that sets up dinners between strangers matched together using a personality algorithm. It has recently launched in Norway and is available in Oslo.

The service allows participants to choose who they would like to keep in contact with, and if the feeling is mutual, you will be able to message one another.

Other networking groups are also available. Unlock Norway hosts regular events looking to bring Norway’s international community together.

Mer av Oslo also runs regular events, such as food courses, where you can meet Oslo’s locals. However, these events will consist mainly of locals, so a lot of the conversation will likely be in Norwegian.

Foreign resident groups

A go-to for anyone new to Norway should be to join a social media group of other foreign residents. The group could be open to all foreign residents or just those from a specific country.

You can introduce yourself to these groups and explain a bit about your situation. Whether it’s a culture clash, feeling homesick, having trouble making friends, or problems connecting with your colleagues, other members in these groups can offer valuable and meaningful insights. They may also be in a similar situation and want to meet up to talk about it.

Being a member of a group of nationals from the same country as you may also help you retain a bit of personal identity so you don’t feel so lost living overseas.

Some of these groups may also schedule regular meetups where you can go along and be with other people – alternatively, you could take the initiative yourself.

Picking up a new hobby or getting back into an old interest

Learning something new with other people could help make you feel part of a wider group and allow you to make friends with people outside of the activity.

There are groups for pretty much everything in Norway, so all you need to do is look. Again, social media and your personal network can also help you find people with similar interests and point you toward where to pursue your hobbies.

Having the same mutual interest as someone makes it much easier to strike up a conversation.

Volunteering could be another solution, as spending your free time helping others can be rewarding in more ways than one.

Helping out could help you to establish friendships with others who may be in a similar situation.

Language courses and cafes

While pretty much everyone in Norway has a good grasp of English, you may not be able to feel fully settled until you’ve gotten comfortable with Norwegian.

Being unable to communicate in the local language can sometimes make it feel as if you don’t have a voice and may put you off trying to find activities and groups to socialise.

One overlooked benefit of language courses is the opportunity to meet other people. While online courses are cheaper and more flexible, it may be worth paying the extra money for an in-person course.

Should you want to hone your Norwegian skills outside of the course, then there are plenty of language cafes in Norway’s big cities.

One of the benefits of a språkkafe is the more informal setting—and the fact that there’s also a cultural exchange element, as people may be interested in the language you speak (if you speak a language other than English).

READ ALSO: Places to practice your Norwegian in Oslo

Accessing mental healthcare if you need it

Sometimes, loneliness can be a symptom of a larger problem, and getting out and meeting people may prove much easier said than done if you find yourself in a mental rut.

If you feel like loneliness is affecting your mental health or that your mental health is making you feel detached from others, then you may wish to access help.

In Norway, mental health help can be accessed both privately and through the state. GPs in Norway can offer treatment for mild or moderate health problems and refer you to a specialist. The GP will contact the mental health services in your area on your behalf.

Those with more acute problems can also access urgent mental healthcare.

READ MORE: How to access mental healthcare in Norway