5 Apps To Meet New People When Traveling Abroad

Traveling is a beautiful way to discover diverse cultures and open our minds. It allows us to expand our horizons, explore the world, and learn in ways that are nearly impossible without stepping outside of our comfort zones. There's no denying that the freedom to travel and move from state to state, country to country, or even continent to continent is a truly priceless privilege. One of the most exciting and fulfilling things about traveling is meeting and connecting with new people, often from different cultures and backgrounds. These chance encounters or planned meetups offer an opportunity to expand our worldview and look at things from new perspectives. Whether we form lasting friendships or 30-minute bonds over a cup of coffee, each meeting and conversation is a chance to learn and grow as a human being.

But meeting new people while traveling can be tricky, especially if you don't speak the local language. Even if you're surrounded by other tourists and travelers, approaching random people can be awkward and challenging. You can try your luck the old-fashioned way, meeting strangers in a bar or cafe, and you may be successful. But, thanks to modern technology, you can also meet new people via apps. 

Nowadays, various mobile applications and social media platforms are designed to help travelers connect with and meet new people. Many of these apps even have specific themes to help you connect with people who share your interests. So, whether you're looking to explore traditional cuisine, check out the local party scene, or find love, here are five apps to help you meet other travelers and locals alike. 

For many, discovering new and delicious food is one of the best things about traveling. Exploring an unfamiliar city and uncovering a tasty spot to eat can be extremely rewarding. But consulting a local is often the best way to find the yummiest restaurants and food stalls. Eatwith allows you to do just that and more. It's home to a global community of food lovers and culinary experts and helps wanderers connect with locals and other travelers for delicious adventures.

Use Eatwith to explore top-rated culinary destinations, meet up with locals for a custom meal, or showcase your culture by hosting your own dining experience. The app also features food tours, cooking classes, and homemade meals typical to the area you're visiting. Wherever you travel, food is an excellent way to get to know the local culture. With dining experiences in more than 1,100 destinations around the world, Eatwith is a fantastic way to explore the world and delight your tastebuds.

One of the great benefits of exploring foreign countries is the ability to learn about different cultures and customs. However, doing so can be challenging due to language barriers. Not everyone has access to language courses in school, and most of us grow up speaking only one language at home. Even if you do start learning a new language on your own, it can be scary trying to talk to native speakers. Fortunately, there are apps like HelloTalk to connect us with other learners and native speakers alike.

HelloTalk is a language exchange app that connects learners with native speakers and includes various features to facilitate accessible language learning. The app has millions of users worldwide and supports more than 150 languages. It has built-in translation tools to help with pronunciation, punctuation, and transliteration, as well as integrated text, voice, and video chat. Users can connect with each other to practice and exchange their languages, meet other learners and travelers, and interact with the entire community by sharing "moments." Moments are public posts that reach all native speakers of a user's target language and are a great way to ask questions and make friends.

Before wrapping up this article, we need to discuss safety. Each app covered here can be a great platform for making new friends while traveling abroad. But it's essential that you practice safe habits when exploring a foreign country, especially when traveling solo or meeting strangers.

Some excellent tips to help keep yourself safe while traveling include sending regular location updates to a loved one back home, avoiding sharing personal information with strangers, and meeting up in secure, public spaces. If you plan to go out with someone you don't know, it's a great idea to stick to group activities. Avoid getting black-out drunk or taking drugs, and use secure transportation methods like Uber.

To further increase your safety, there are several smartphone apps to help protect yourself while traveling. From keeping up to date on the local weather to staying in touch with family and friends back home, these apps can add an additional layer of security to your trip. It only takes a second or two to download the apps, and you'll be glad you did if you encounter any emergencies. Remember, to ensure your safety and enjoy your adventurers to their fullest, follow these guidelines and practice safe travel habits. Then, go explore.