School’s out and “summer lovin’” is in season. Not only are the doors to romance flung open, but so are the windows for meeting new and interesting individuals. With the sun shining and academic obligations brushed aside, summer is the perfect time to meet new people and branch out socially.
Whether you’re staying home with the parents or travelling to new shores, it’s always advantageous to widen your circle of friends. Going to places of interest, joining clubs, or getting involved in group-hobbies is a great and fast way to encounter people with similar interests, which can start new friendships and even lead to new relationships.
“It is important to plant yourself in a community of people that are working to pursue similar goals,” said Charleen Kotiuga, a senior at Concordia University.
Kotiuga travelled to Tofino in British Columbia during her 2010 summer. While living in a 40-person residence for hotel workers, Kotiuga said that she connected with housemates by making food, hiking and—above all—surfing.
For her, surfing was, “a natural way to connect, because surfing alone isn’t as much fun… you often have to wait for the waves and it’s nice to have someone to wait with.”
Whether you are traveling like Kotiunga, or staying home for the summer, it’s nice to add flavor to your life with new faces. Alyson Wener, a junior at Bishop’s University, made her summer friends at work.
“The best thing to do is to get off Facebook, get out of your house and get involved,” Wener shared. “Whether it's a job, volunteer work, or a class, it's good to keep busy.”
Psychologist and author of Best Friends Forever, Dr. Irene S. Levine, believes that the key to meeting new people is, “showing interest in another person and being open to new relationships.”
Dr. Levine said that students have the “opportunity to deepen ties made during the year.” She suggested, “You might want to plan a visit to a roommate’s hometown or invite someone from your class to travel abroad with you.”
Regardless of where you are this summer, it may be necessary to create your own opportunities, both with making new friends and building strong connections that could possibly lead to something further.
Hosting a dinner party is a casual and fun way to mingle, especially if light drinks are involved. Invite your new friends, coworkers, or fellow classmates; the jovial atmosphere encourages people to be outgoing, therefore ensuring receptive attitudes to becoming acquainted with new and friendly faces. Hosts can suggest that each guest invite two or three close friends in addition. That way, everyone at the dinner party will know each other in some distant respect, which can often—in itself—break the ice.
