find your people before you arrive
Moving abroad is not easy, so don't do it alone.Built by students for international and exchange students.
your family abroad
WhatsApp CommunityMake friends before you arrive 👥
Students coming together from 500+ Universities:
Three steps to a
full social calendar.
No awkward icebreakers, no going through everything alone. Just one click and you are already part of the group chat.
Find your city
Search from the 85+ cities we are active in and pick where you are heading to study. Each city has the biggest student community waiting for you.
Join the community
Drop into the main WhatsApp for new students, access the biggest Facebook groups, and join the Virtual Meetup, all with one tap. Ask anything, make plans, find flatmates and friends.
Show up and party
Welcome festivals, orientation week, nights out, day trips and dinners every week. Turn strangers into your people, fast. From day 1.
Everything to
start strong
Welcome Events
- The biggest student parties and events
- All through your first weeks of studies
- Explore the local nightlife
- The easiest way to meet everyone
WhatsApp Community
- Join 1 to 2 months before semester
- Meet new students moving to your city
- Tips, housing and early friendships
- Organize activities and meetups
Virtual Meetup
- Meet your future friends
- Hosted by a former student
- Easy introductions, zero pressure
- City info and real support
Guides
- City, freelancer and preparation guides
- CV and career guide
- Insider tips from local students
- Everything to arrive fully prepared
Where are you moving to study?
Choose your city and get connected straight away.
Missing a city? Contact us and we will add it.
No city yet? Contact us
This is what showing up
looks like.
Nights out, trips and meetups from the community.
What other students say:
Good to know.
The Welcome Festival Package gives you access to the main student event each semester, bringing together international students from all universities for an unforgettable night full of new connections.
It also includes:
- Preparation Guide: a complete resource to help you settle smoothly into your new city, with essential tips on housing, opening a bank account and more.
- WhatsApp Group access: connect with other international students before arrival, organize meetups and start making friends early.
- CityGame experience: explore your new city through a fun mystery solving adventure while discovering key spots and resources.
- Community Support: join a large network of students, including students from previous years, ready to share advice and help you feel at home.
Definitely yes! The Welcome Festival Package is open to all new international students, regardless of your university, course or age. Students from every university in your city are invited to join the main event, meet fellow new students and start connecting early.
Tickets are not refundable but can be transferred to another student if you like. Refunds are only available if an event is canceled without a rescheduled date. The refund process will be shown after you purchase a ticket.
Most events are open to all ages, however some may have specific age restrictions. Always review the event details before registering to confirm age eligibility. In some cases events are 18+ or 20+, depending on the venue. Don't forget to bring your ID, as there will be an ID check at the entrance. Without it, you won't be allowed to enter.
Yes! Interactive activities like the City Game and the Welcome Event are designed to help you discover hidden gems, make friends and get familiar with your new city. With the package you will also have the chance to explore the local nightlife and some of the city's best spots.
The Virtual Meetup is an online event that takes place two weeks before the semester starts. It is your first chance to connect with other students moving to the same city as you. We will send you a Google Meet link and all the details two weeks before the event. The Virtual Meetup is part of the Welcome Package, which you can find on your city page. Find your city and get Virtual Meetup access there!
The Semester Pass gives you access to both the Welcome Package and all its perks, plus all the nightlife experiences and parties of the semester. You will join every party with all the new students throughout the semester, starting from the first event and continuing each week with a different party in a new venue around the city, together with locals and internationals. If you are a party person, the Semester Pass is exactly what you need. You can get it in the shop by selecting the Semester Pass instead of the Welcome Package option.
We have partnered with Socials.Homes, and you can enjoy a 50% discount to find the best listings in the fastest way possible, before you even move to the city. Next to that, through the WhatsApp Community, the Preparation Guide and meetups, you will get practical advice on finding housing, setting up local banking, choosing a SIM provider and accessing student discounts.
Discover our upcoming events on the website, or subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to get the latest updates. Join our WhatsApp Community to stay connected with other students and hear about meetups, housing and uni life. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram @jointhestudentlife for the newest event highlights and announcements!
Yes, we are a community of former international students. We organize these events every semester, and our experienced international student teams help run them to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all attendees. In most cases a member of our team or one of our partners is on site to make sure everything runs smoothly for all students.
The dress code varies based on each event's theme. Some events, like the Welcome Parties, have no specific attire requirements, while others, such as the Halloween or White Party, have themed dress codes. For detailed information on dress codes, please check the event details.
At some of our events a professional photographer captures moments of fun, smiles and connections. If that is the case, a few days after the event we upload all photos to our social media pages, where you can easily view and download them. You will also receive an email with that information if it applies to your event.
Starting university or going for an exchange doesn't have to mean starting from zero.
Join 128,000+ students who found their crowd before arrival.