The Philippines has become an increasingly popular destination for expats looking for adventure, business opportunities, or a lower cost of living. With its tropical climate, stunning beaches, rich culture and friendly locals, it’s easy to see why more and more people are making the move.
One of the keys to having a great expat experience is plugging into the vibrant expat community. Connecting with fellow expats can help ease the transition and make your time abroad more enjoyable. This guide will give you an overview of the diverse expat groups in the Philippines and tips for getting involved.
Expat Groups Offer Camaraderie and Support
There are expat groups to suit almost any interest and demographic in the Philippines. Groups centered around specific nationalities, professions, hobbies or causes can help you meet like-minded individuals and establish a sense of community.
Popular groups include:
- InterNations – Global network with active meetups in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
- American Women’s Club of the Philippines – Charity, social events and interest groups for American women.
- Australian-New Zealand Association – Events and member discounts for Aussies and Kiwis.
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce Philippines – Business networking for Canadian professionals.
- GSN Philippines – LGBTQ organization with events in Manila and Cebu.
Joining groups that align with your personal goals and background makes it easier to form meaningful relationships. Whether you’re looking for business contacts, travel buddies, or friends to share a meal with, there’s a group out there for you.
Table: Benefits of Joining Expat Groups
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Local Knowledge | Learn insider tips from long-time expats. |
| Networking | Make business connections and job contacts. |
| Sense of Community | Enjoy a support network to help ease culture shock. |
| Shared Experiences | Bond over common life experiences abroad. |
| Diverse Perspectives | Gain intercultural understanding. |
Networking Opens Doors
Attending networking events lets you establish valuable connections with fellow expats across industries. These relationships can enhance your career prospects, develop client leads if you own a business, or simply expand your social circle.
When attending networking events:
- Research attendees beforehand to identify useful contacts
- Craft an introductory pitch highlighting your skills or expertise
- Initiate conversations by asking thoughtful questions
- Collect business cards and follow up to strengthen connections
Great networking events for expats include:
- Industry association meetups like Evolving Philippines TECH meetup.
- Business mixers hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.
- Casual gatherings like the Manila Expats Meetup group.
Putting yourself out there takes courage, but can lead to rewarding professional and personal relationships during your time abroad.
Foster Friendships Through Social Meetups
While networking events are oriented around career or business connections, social meetups allow for more casual bonding around shared interests and hobbies.
Attending regular social meetups is a fun way to combat loneliness and homesickness. You can enjoy doing activities you love while expanding your social circle beyond other expats as well.
Popular social meetup platforms include:
- Meetup – Online community hosting groups across topics like photography, dancing, yoga and more.
- Couchsurfing – Hospitality service and travel app great for meetups.
- Facebook – Search for local expat groups focused on social events.
Stepping out of your comfort zone by attending diverse meetup events is an important part of embracing the expat experience. You never know what new passions, perspectives or friendships await!
Tips for Successful Integration
It can take effort to successfully integrate into the expat community from diverse backgrounds. Here are some top tips:
- Ask Questions – Politely ask fellow expats about their home countries and cultures to expand your understanding.
- Check Assumptions – Be aware of inherent biases or preconceived notions that could cause offense.
- Learn Some Local Language – Know basic terms and phrases to facilitate communication and show goodwill.
- Have Patience – Adjusting to cultural differences takes time for both locals and expats.
- Join In – Make an effort to attend group events regularly to build rapport.
- Offer Support – Be willing to listen and provide advice to help recent arrivals get their bearings.
- Participate Frequently – The more regularly you attend meetups and events, the quicker you’ll integrate. Try to consistently participate instead of just going to a few token events. You’ll build rapport faster.
- Join Multiple Groups – Each group has something unique to offer. Join a mix like a hobby group, professional network and general social group to get diversity in your connections.
- Meet Locals Too – Interacting with locals helps you learn more about Filipino culture and perspectives. Some groups like CouchSurfing meetups facilitate local and expat mingling.
- Learn Conversational Tagalog – Knowing small talk, greetings and other key phrases in Tagalog demonstrates good faith effort to Filipinos. Locals tend to appreciate expats taking interest in their language.
- Spread the Word – Help grow the expat community by inviting friends to join groups with you or telling new arrivals how to connect. A vibrant, active community benefits everyone.
- Pay it Forward – After you’ve settled in, mentor new expats just arriving by answering their questions or giving them insider survival tips. Guidance from seasoned expats smoothes the transition.
- Travel Together – Joining expat travel buddies lets you split costs for transportation, explore safely in numbers and discover hidden gems locals recommend.
- Keep an Open Mind – The diversity of backgrounds in the expat community allows for eye-opening conversations and challenging long-held assumptions. Embrace this. Overall, regularly engaging in the expat community with cultural sensitivity and an extroverted mindset helps expats enrich their experience and feel at home in the Philippines.
Despite cultural barriers, embracing open-mindedness and remembering shared humanity can lead to great friendships. Homesickness and other challenges can also be easier to tackle as an active member of a supportive community.
Start Your Expat Journey Today
Whatever your background, interests or reasons for moving abroad, becoming part of the vibrant expat community in the Philippines is a wonderful opportunity. Forming genuine connections and sharing unforgettable experiences will enrich your expat life exponentially.
- Plug into groups aligned with your goals and interests for tailored support.
