Craving genuine connections in a new city? Tired of the same old bar scene? Get ready to discover 5 unconventional places to meet new friends that will revolutionize your social life. This article is your roadmap to forging meaningful relationships in surprising locales
For many Africans living abroad, finding a sense of belonging can be a real challenge. According to the International Organization for Migration, as of 2020, there were over 19 million African migrants worldwide.
Many of these individuals yearn for connections that honor their roots while embracing their new environment. That’s where these unconventional friendship spots come in handy.
Let’s explore these hidden social gems:
1. African Cuisine Cooking Classes
Forget generic cooking classes – seek out workshops specifically focused on African cuisines. These are goldmines for unconventional places to meet new friends who share your culinary heritage or are eager to learn about it.
For example, in Toronto, The Depanneur offers workshops on Ethiopian, Nigerian, and Senegalese cooking. As you learn to perfect your jollof rice or master injera-making techniques, you’ll naturally bond with classmates over shared memories of home-cooked meals and swapped family recipes.
Pro tip: Look for classes taught by African chefs for an extra layer of authenticity and potential mentorship.
2. African Literature Book Clubs
Book clubs focusing on African authors and stories are fantastic unconventional places to meet new friends who share your cultural background or interest in African narratives. These groups often meet in cozy cafes or libraries, creating an intimate setting for deep discussions.
In London, the African Book Club meets monthly at the South London Gallery. They’ve covered works by authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, sparking conversations that often extend beyond literature into shared experiences of diaspora life.
3. African Drumming Circles
For a rhythmic approach to socializing, seek out African drumming circles. These energetic gatherings are unconventional places to meet new friends while connecting with traditional music forms.
In New York City, the Brooklyn Music School hosts West African group drumming sessions. As you learn djembe patterns or master the talking drum, you’ll find yourself in sync with fellow music enthusiasts. The shared experience of creating music together can quickly turn strangers into friends.
4. Afrofuturism Art Workshops
Dive into the world of Afrofuturism – a cultural aesthetic that combines science fiction, history, and fantasy to explore the African diaspora experience. Workshops or events centered around this theme are incredibly unique unconventional places to meet new friends.
The Afrofuturist Affair in Philadelphia regularly hosts creative workshops. You might find yourself collaborating on a sci-fi short story set in a futuristic Lagos or creating digital art that reimagines ancient African technologies in space-age settings.
5. African Diaspora Tech Meetups
For the tech-savvy crowd, seek out meetups specifically geared towards Africans in tech. These gatherings are unconventional places to meet new friends who share both your professional interests and cultural background.
Afrotech is a prime example, hosting events in major cities across the US. Their mixers combine networking with discussions on topics like blockchain applications in African economies or the rise of tech hubs in Nairobi and Lagos.
You might just meet your next business partner or mentor while debating the future of African innovation.
Conclusion: 5 Unconventional Places to Meet New Friends
The key to making these unconventional friendship spots work for you is consistency. Don’t just attend once – become a regular. The more familiar faces you see, the more likely those initial encounters will blossom into lasting friendships.
So, next time you’re feeling isolated in your new home, step out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re perfecting your pap recipe in a South African cooking class, debating the merits of Africanfuturism in a book club, or coding the next big app for the continent at a tech meetup, you’re bound to find kindred spirits.
These unconventional places to meet new friends offer the perfect blend of cultural connection and new experiences, helping you build a community that feels like home, no matter where you are in the world.
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