I have major social anxiety and I am super lonely in a completely diffirent country. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

I moved to the UK in September, 2021 for my masters and I am an extremley shy person. It's very hard for me to approach people and have conversations. I feel like I don't really know how to talk to new people at all. This has taken a big toll on my mental health and I am living all alone in a completely different country. Any advice on how to get over my social anxiety and meet new people?

[jennifer_bloom]

If you attend a toastmasters, you will make friends easier as well a place where people go to worship God. A fitness class at a gym might also work or a chess club or a charity event.

[Asker]

I guess so. I might join a university club. Thanks!

[WhitneySnow]

Try making friends online. Also maybe people in your classes. Talk to them see if they wanna hang out sometime.

[Asker]

I did! Thanks! It definitely was easier to to approach my classmates via text and they seem pretty nice. I’m still very awkward but at least I’m opening up a bit.

[WhitneySnow]

Awesome!

[Chris_8036]

I think the way I approach people is to be very relaxed and easy going.
Don't be scared to say hi to somebody, or ask "How's it going?"
Maybe it's different here in Canada, but people here usually talk your ear off, and you're lucky if you can get rid of them.
You're obviously very pretty, so I imagine lots of people there want to talk to you. You just gotta relax and don't worry about what they think, just be you and that's good enough.

[Asker]

Thanks! And yeah, you were right! I did approach some of my course mates and they seem super friendly.

[Chris_8036]

Oh good, I'm glad you're feeling more comfortable. 🙂

[Asker]

Yeah, thanks. I’m still extremely shy and awkward but I hope I can get over that one day.

[Chris_8036]

That's unusual because you're cute looking, lol.
You should have all kinds of confidence. 🙂

[Guy13]

Perhaps, a mental health counselor where you are competing graduate work...

[Asker]

I did try that but turns out I need to wait for 16 weeks before they can assign me a counselor. The student support service at my uni sucks and it's too costly to seek help elsewhere for now.

[Iron_Man]

Talk to guys online that’ll help

[Asker]

Yeah. Talking online is less nerve racking.

[Iron_Man]

Right 👍