ABSTRACT
“The happy man needs friends” is a famous saying by Aristoteles. Many studies have since confirmed that social relationships are crucial for well-being, life satisfaction, happiness and health. Expats have to build a new social network in their host country, and many find it difficult to get in touch with the locals of the host country. They stay within the so-called expat bubble, which is understandable but can be problematic since connections with locals are very valuable because they offer social support as well as much potential for learning about the host culture. Expats need to make new friends when abroad, and the chapter discusses several key mechanisms that can help such relationships develop: proximity, self-disclosure, and cost and reward. In an intercultural context, factors such as culture, language and intercultural competence play an important role.
