Loneliness Abroad: A Belgian Chapter

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. You can live alone and still enjoy a rich, fulfilling life surrounded by people who care about you, including friends, family, or a supportive community. Being alone is a physical state, while loneliness is an emotional one.

However, when we leave our home countries to live abroad, whether for studies, work, or personal growth, our social circles often shrink dramatically. We find ourselves far from our families, long-time friends, and the cultural environment that once made connection feel effortless. This sudden change pushes us far outside our comfort zones.

We naturally seek to meet new people and build new friendships, but soon realize that it is not as easy as we imagined. Differences in culture, language, age, and lifestyle, combined with the demands of everyday life, make it more challenging to create the kind of social network we once had.

What used to happen spontaneously now requires effort, time, and emotional energy. The vibrant and familiar social life from back home can begin to feel like a distant memory.

This is my first post on this blog, and I want to dedicate it to everyone who has struggled, or is still struggling, to create meaningful social connections in a new country. If you have ever felt isolated while building a life abroad, I want you to know that you are not alone.