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making friends- early 20's

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Badger12
  4/13/2016 23:25 EST

Hello! I am an American moving to the Utrecht to be with my Dutch boyfriend. I am a very shy person, so the biggest thing that I worry about is making friends. Various people have suggested women's clubs, but I'm afraid that it isn't exactly age appropriate, as I am in my early 20's. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how a young American (who speaks a very teeny tiny bit of Dutch) can make some friend?

Mokkijo
  4/14/2016 11:06 EST

Hi Badger 12--Women's groups are a great place to make new contacts. You may want to drop the "age" label, as age is just a social construct, & it could hold you back from meeting some wonderfully supportive women....even if they are older.

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Badger12
  4/14/2016 21:28 EST

Thank you for your response. While I see what you're saying, I find it hard to believe that I would have enough in common with someone 20+ years older than me to form lasting friendships. I am still young and am in a very different place in my life than my mother, who is the average age of the woman's club...

noahnow
  4/14/2016 21:44 EST

It's not about age, it is about who you know and who they know. And they may have kids.

tatyyyym
  4/15/2016 11:06 EST

I'm also an American in my 20s and moved to Utrecht to be with my boyfriend. About a month ago actually. What I did is joined the expat group on MeetUp and I've met some pretty cool people. Because I don't have a job yet (need Dutch and the permit first) I get pretty bored during the day. I wouldn't mind being a friend and meeting up sometime :)

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