how tf do you make friends in a new country? | Singapore expat life

⟦ Timestamps ⟧
00:00 Intro
00:31 My story
01:08 Tip 1: At Work
02:17 Tip 2: Attend a regular workout class
03:20 Tip 3: Facebook groups
05:04 Tip 4: Mix friend groups & referrals
06:16 Tip 5: Bumble BFF
09:30 Tip 6: Just reach out
11:58 Final: Mindset shift
⟦ Things I referenced ⟧
The truth about being an expat: • The truth about being ...
I hate talking about my age. • I hate talking about m...
📷 Instagram / sherrybyw
☀️ Facebook / sherrybyw
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Let's chat!
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⟦ Music ⟧
Lukrembo - Cloud
BGM President - Sunny side up • [Royalty Free Music] 써...
Night Music - IU's Friday (but its lofi) • IU - Friday (but its l...
BGM President - Sunset • [Royalty Free Music] S...
BGM President - Paesaggio Italiano • [브금대통령] (잔잔한/좋은/Acoust...
⟦ Equipment ⟧
Sony a7c
Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Sony NEX-5R
DJI Osmo Pocket
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Iphone XR

[@sherrybyw]

Out of the 6 tips, do you have any favs which you would want to try yourself? Or better yet, which ones have you tried? ☀☺ Timestamps below ⬇ 00:00 Intro 00:31 My story 01:08 Tip 1: At Work 02:17 Tip 2: Attend a regular workout class 03:20 Tip 3: Facebook groups 05:04 Tip 4: Mix friend groups & referrals 06:16 Tip 5: Bumble BFF 09:30 Tip 6: Just reach out 11:58 Final: Mindset shift

[@alexandrucosnita1051]

Hi sherry, thx for all the videos u are doing and sharing. I will be moving to singapore next year and i would love to have like a guide if u wont mind showing around!

[@lyrenna1270]

Why keep to the expat enclaves? There's tons of value making effort to define friendships to integrate with the local community as well.

[@albertkoey]

Looks like you are super busy now, either with friends or boyfriend. :p Anyway, have a fun time in real life!

[@Police01-j3g]

Wow do not worry smartphones, tv and laptops have become our best friends🥰😇

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

@@Police01-j3g 😲

[@maried8885]

Just arrived in Singapore and your video is sooo encouraging and helping. Especially in those difficult times, not really helping newcomers to meet with new friends ^^ Thank you, I will apply your advices ;)

[@k_drive]

i love these tips! this is a small one but i've found wearing light/ bright colors tends to be more inviting for ppl to randomly interact with me. (and honestly works the other way on days when im not in a friendly mood I'll just throw on a hoodie lol)

[@epicarnoldtravels]

I love this video it’s very informative for expats. It also helps me understand what expats go through while living in Singapore. Awesome stuff Sherrybyw big fan!❤

[@milkbread5036]

This was so helpful and I love your video editing :D so aesthetic :D

[@michellefok2741]

loved all these tips! totally agree about the open-mindedness nature of using bumble bff 😉

[@imloving__kpop]

such incredible advice! Loved the last one :)

[@mx.astrid29]

Absolutely loved these tips! One way for me, when starting a conversation with someone new, is by giving them a genuine compliment about something you like about them or something nice you've heard about them, then get the conversation going from there!

[@grzegorzchyb656]

This is amazing Sherry, I’m exactly in the situation you were in 2 years ago (just moved to SG) and this vid comes in just perfectly timed

[@sherrybyw]

You got this!! Let me know which tip helped you the most! Wishing you luck for your journey to finding your peeps 😊

[@xanx3]

Omg the story that came with tip 6 is so cute!!

[@marki7275]

Well said. Just Reach out is my go to. Life is busy though and that is why I am watching KZbin. Ha. I have a long list of things to do and I know along the way I am going to meet some amazing people.

[@yuucreations8569]

This is sooo valuable ! Thank you for sharing!

[@AndrewTube]

thanks for sharing, i didnt know you worked so hard to make friends! props!

[@heyvkj2412]

Ahhh IU's Palette as the bgm hahahah! You look amazing btw!

[@mlee1308]

Your so positive. Luv it. So hard to find!!! Great vid.

[@sherrybyw]

Although not 100% of the time, I definitely try to be positive most of the time!!

[@benizjammmin]

12:20 - Sometimes the differences kinda do matter. One can only handle un-relatability for so long. It’s important to have people that know what you’re going through and to not feel like you’re the only one. 11:30 - Well kinda, sorta. It just sucks when you put in effort and there’s no reciprocation; which leads to discouragement to keep moving forward. Also, there’s a huge difference between friendly acquaintances and friends. People really get this one mixed up a ton.

[@babiixjo]

Love the doodles and animations!

[@dominichill1492]

This is very good advice, have a good day Sherry, and I you're videos.

[@briank4996]

You inspire me Sherry. God bless you.

[@Calisthenio]

Loved this video!

[@richardbarba2736]

Aye aye aye Sherry Cola!

[@BEAVISKORNHOLIO69]

very informative Video Sherry good advice I'd like to go to Singapore someday

[@ankursingh9745]

Just moved to Singapore last month, finding it difficult to make friends.. this video is encouraging Thanks

[@0dyss3us51]

This is a great list, but I personally would put Meetup as the first, when I came to Japan from Europe I knew no one, but since it is interest based, you know you can quickly talk to people about the thing you met up about in the first place that you both have a passion for, 4 years later I still talk with people I met there :) just get out of your comfort zone and say hi

[@jeffjones921]

Glad to see it is working out for you. I too moved from Canada to Singapore for work, for a two year stint. That was in 2002 and i am still here...

[@-fxoxixa-]

So you had a good time and decided to stay, that‘s great! How did you make friends there? I moved to Austria and it is difficult beginning from 0

[@oliverpiong6558]

This video really inspired me!

[@kirtichandel3986]

Thank you for the pro tips... ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I am going to apply number 2 and get back to bumble bff.. i gave up after few try but after watching your video i am going to use it more... 😘

[@sherrybyw]

Bumble BFF can be tiring if you don't find people you click with, so definitely be sure to take time to recharge if you feel drained socially! However, also don't give up!! 🥰

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

🤔🤔🤔 food for thought~ thank you so much for sharing these advices

[@HumdrumSingaporeanREACTS]

good tips

[@suntanboy22]

Nice topic!

[@savannah6859]

tip #7 aspire to radiate the same good energy as sherry ☀

[@Espresso_eden]

Such a cute video!! I met my closest friend on Tumblr, and she's from Singapore!! I'm from Australia so I hope to go there and meet her when it's safer to travel internationally soon :)

[@NewmaticKe]

real soon, like next month

[@mercurychen6185]

Also Canadian girl just moved to Singapore!

[@dpledoone]

Your positivity is probably the most important factor. You are wiser than your age (no discrimination!)

[@sherrybyw]

Indeed!!! While I think it's totally ok to feel down (as I clearly was in my older video when I talked about not having friends haha), I think it's important to pick yourself back up and give it another go! 😄

[@babexyakult]

Love all 6 tips :) They are so useful!

[@sherrybyw]

hehe glad to have you as a friend 🥰

[@aleksandar2046]

You know what? I'm gonna use these tips to make friends in my home country, since I literally have one friend... 😭😂

[@RoyalAvira]

Thanks for sharing this

[@keenanmiltonrip]

I would recommend to start skateboarding: the SG skate community is small but people are very welcoming ! you can make friends just by skating by yourself at any skatepark, or any random spot, whether you are a beginner or pro, regardless of your age !

[@sherrybyw]

I love this!! A hobby / sport is always a good way to meet people. I've seen some awesome skating communities around Singapore!

[@madhavichudasama2363]

Lovely video but what is this lipstick shade, Sherry? 😊

[@ohbessiez3774]

Love how tan you look in this video! Is it really easy to get tanned in SG? xx

[@limchris1563]

I used to see your video many years back. At that time you were still a young gal wearing braces. I remember you often spoke in Cantonese. Sometimes, you went to Hong Kong. I'm a S'porean & visit Hong Kong often (pre-covid). The most memorable one was you went to HK & gave funny stories, especially you ordered in cha chann teng with rapid fire pace. I really miss those video in Cantonese. Perhaps 1 of these days, you relive your memories by having a video purely in Cantonese *with English subtitles for those who don't understand Cantonese or a mixture of English with Cantonese thrown in. And welcome to S'pore, albeit belatedly! Hope you enjoy your stay here!

[@sherrybyw]

Thanks for the support throughout the years! You've certainly watched me grow up on this channel haha. I'd love to do a throwback style, pure Cantonese video (although I think my ability to speak the language has deteriorated a bit 🤣).

[@limchris1563]

@@sherrybyw Time really flies! You should be here in S'pore at least few years now. At that time, was surprised that you were offered a job in S'pore. I believe you miss Hong Kong as well *(your parents birth place, I presumed).

[@babexyakult]

Love your top :D Where is it from?

[@Evixfel]

As a Singaporean who is a Canadian PR and lived in Vancouver for last 3 years I think all your tips are applicable everywhere in the world :) I really like how you managed to keep your English accent. 2 years might be enough to localize your accent. I'm not sure how you're coping with the weather/seasons here. I just find the weather in Singapore a little humid and hot (moved back to sg in August).

[@sherrybyw]

Thanks so much for sharing Peter!! This makes me happy to hear that you think it's applicable anywhere in the world!

[@bentan6218]

Great tips. Just surprised that with your bubbly nature you have problems making or meeting new friends. Anyway thanks for the great tips. 🤩

[@Batmobile444]

Make friends when you cycle!

[@waiphyooo5176]

Love from Myanmar ❤

[@lilywu9912]

I LIKE TIP 6 THE MOST - the last part is the cutest hue hue but excuse me, you are not sick of my face 🤭Moral of the story, be proactive when making friends

[@sherrybyw]

Just mildly sick of your face 🥰 @the world Definitely be like Lily!! I'm grateful for her reaching out to me back in 2020!

[@Wuyh99]

juz curious how much is the rough salary of a expat? hmm she seems to be living her life well in a condo and etc 🤔

[@Tonytayloring]

If you stubbornly hang exclusively within expats group or if you have a criteria what sort of friends you only want to hang with e.g affluent/powerful... you will never break out of these bubbles and connect meaningfully with more range of people. And also, colleagues can never be your friends. Personally I avoid meeting big groups, The world is becoming such a treacherous place teeming with fake people and backstabbers in your group photo. Big groups is not something I am proud of I would rather be alone and clique with people who only matters to me

[@333KINGPIN33]

Hello from Toronto!

[@ip85]

Aw man i felt so sad hearing this, if u ever come to South Africa I swear u can be my bestie! ❤️👸🏻

[@sherrybyw]

🥺💛

[@ip85]

@@sherrybyw totally get the natural introvert vibes, you'd never say though your KZbin content is amazing u come across like an extrovert! 🤗😘👸🏻

[@teobenedict1733]

i'm local but i am already finding it hard to make friends in singapore :(🙁

[@arena6087]

Must go to casino I usually make friends at the roulette table hahaha

[@runningcomposer1682]

Chiobu like you no problem one!!

[@quakespr]

Sadly now we cannot have big meet up.

[@sergiysanin4767]

To meet a stranger from online app is gutsy...??? Out of such a huge multitude of other options so readily available during 2 years of full or partial incarceration?

[@TheMuthiahmed]

Hi sherry

[@kerwintan3251]

saw u riding your black beauty at sentosa this morning, hows the ride coming along?

[@sherrybyw]

Omg! Haha you should say hi next time! Enjoying the hills with my new cycling shoes for sure :)

[@kerwintan3251]

@@sherrybyw couldn't really confirm until i saw the black rapha jersey and black cycling shoes, but yes, will say hi next time, did u enjoy climbs there?

[@khm1217]

Now I found out some familiar background songs..... it's IU!!!!!!!!!!!!😝😝😝😝

[@user-fb7rf4kr5k]

Insider tip: Speak Singlish lah! It's the language that pulls at the heartstrings of over 3 million people in the city-state. The Lost Ojisan--otherwise known simply as Ghib-- and Niel Humphreys, two brave foreigners, have cracked the secret code, after a lot of trial and error, and the whole of Singapore opened up their hearts and minds to them. And if you're a culture geek, live in an HDB like Humphreys at the start. After a few years, you'll be part of the in-crowd like him. Easy.

[@cfu8909]

❤

[@Wuyh99]

respect

[@knighnp]

After reading some things about Singapore, is it true that it's illegal to have a group of more than three people gather after 10 pm?

[@joelkhoo57]

a lot of us aren't as "legal" as the cuntry may seem

[@joelkhoo57]

it's kinda like we break the law but we look behind our back lol

[@thalescoelho3687]

Lol KZbin just recommended me this video - 1st day in Singapore here 😂

[@sherrybyw]

😂😂😂 I hope it helps!!!

[@madcoowsti]

You dont need friend, you need ME!!!

[@aaronf.186]

When you look as good as you do, I'm sure making friends isn't too hard.

[@peacenwachokor1944]

I want be friends with you but i do.nt have phone

[@kennleong7519]

Come. Bring your bike to Malaysia. :P

[@101cabinet]

👍

[@mlee1308]

What does byw stand for?

[@sherrybyw]

Haha good question! Those are my initials for my middle/last name actually 😄

[@donalcunningham1225]

Thanks Sherry, very positive!😃I find it good to keep in touch with those you grew up with, if possible! Your family! Then work, those you live with, and basically doing activities you enjoy and organising things, like monthly cycle outings etc...Church is a great way to meet people and feel at peace too! Jesus Christ is ultimately the only one who will fulfil us totally and give us that feeling of comfort and confidence!🤟

[@andrew097]

Join a club of something your interested in. You will hang out with people who share the same and in no time you are part of the community. My two are cycling and rugby, they both are passports to friendships throughout the world.

[@sherrybyw]

Passports to friendships. I love that

[@rlrh1996]

me: how tf do you make new friends after uni in the city you were born in?

[@alphonsusgilana3958]

Hi

[@victorvaldez760]

JBW is the most brutal pill in singapore .. m sure can easily find a new wite boi to fill your void every weekend

[@albertkoey]

Meeting strangers of the same gender is easier and safer. On the other hand, IMHO, for a girl to meet a male stranger for the first time can be dangerous. Even in Singapore. Just take precautions, like meeting in a very public place, no alcoholic drinks, no dark places, etc. So, can we meet up? Wait.... consider first... I'm a guy, faceless KZbin profile, total stranger who could be some weirdo. Best NOT to meet up. lol Anyway, take care and stay healthy and don't be friends with Covid-19. :)

[@Tonytayloring]

If you perceive all opposite gender to be dangerous, then we can forget about chances of making friends with the opposite gender. Because thats the perception that limits us

[@Tantemify]

good looking girl

[@sherwinsalvatori6997]

You definitely cute

[@jasonong7097]

Can just PM me or join a Meetup group :-)

[@retroworldnews]

haha, no friends than your neighbours is who? :P

[@jemhor]

All cyclist are friends!

[@sherrybyw]

The cycling community is SO awesome!! I love how nice everyone is when people cycle past each other in the morning and smile & say good morning! 😆

[@jemhor]

@@sherrybyw you’ll never have no friends in cycling unless you decides to 😉

[@christinalee4523]

LOVE this video and wish I had it when I moved to Singapore in 2019 with 0 friends 🥲 the tip that resonated with me the most is bumble bff. I was skeptical at first but it’s a game changer, and led to us being friends! 🥰 just get out there and your group will fall into place!

[@sherrybyw]

MY SISTER 🥰 Forever grateful for Bumble BFF and Leah for bringing us together!!

[@Nolra08]

The most safe tip if you are new to the place is to make friends at work coz it is hard to work with no friends. If you are invited by your co-workers to some gathering then you can grow your network of friends if you attend to those. If you are not so active or shy to talk to people(introverted) maybe you can find friend from playing games online. Haha Just find people who will make you comfortable with...

[@sherrybyw]

I totally agree - comfort is key!!