Additional Coverage:
- I moved to Canada to be with my husband and had no friends of my own. I joined a book club, gym, and gardening community to meet new people. (businessinsider.com)
From India to Canada, with a Little Help from My (New) Friends
Moving across the globe to be with the love of your life sounds like a dream. And in 2022, when I moved from India to Canada to join my then-boyfriend (now husband), it truly was.
But I quickly realized a crucial element was missing: my own social circle. While I adored my husband’s friends from his MBA program, I craved connections of my own.
Having navigated a similar transition a decade earlier when I moved to the US for college, I was optimistic. But adulting, it turns out, presents a different set of challenges. Forget readily available classes and clubs – how does one make friends in a big city like Toronto?
The answer, I discovered, lay in embracing my interests and my immediate surroundings.
First, I unearthed a hidden gem within my condo: a gardening community. While condo life often feels isolating, this group offered a breath of fresh air.
Over shared soil and rooftop chats, I connected with a fellow business owner. From impromptu walks to girls’ nights in, we built a solid friendship rooted in shared interests and easy companionship.
Next, I stumbled upon a local book club. The monthly meetings provided a space for intellectual discussions and a different kind of connection – one built on a shared love of stories. These weren’t friends I texted constantly, but the bond was no less meaningful.
Finally, a strength training class led me to not just improved fitness (though that journey had its moments!), but also to a wonderful friendship with the gym’s owners. Sharing Diwali with them, despite it being a new experience, and the subsequent game nights and celebrations, solidified a bond that transcended cultural differences. The gym itself became a hub for meeting others from diverse backgrounds, broadening my perspectives in unexpected ways.
My Toronto journey taught me valuable lessons about friendship: Be open to new experiences, offer genuine compliments (they work wonders!), and appreciate the diverse forms friendships can take. From condo gardens to book clubs and gyms, putting myself out there led to connections I cherish. And that, in itself, is a beautiful adventure.