Making Friends at School in Canada, and the Real Reason for Early Study Abroad

Making friends in a foreign country is never easy. The language, culture, even the sense of humor—everything feels different. Yet, it is precisely within that unfamiliar and awkward environment that children begin to grow. Many parents decide on early study abroad because they believe, “Even if it’s hard now, this experience will make my child stronger.”

Looking back, our generation didn’t find making friends so complicated. If we were in the same class, we naturally hung out together; one game of catch could turn strangers into friends. But for today’s kids, friendships are no longer just about companionship—they’re about belonging and self-worth. The number of social media followers, trendy fashion, family background, or even the way one speaks or wears makeup can all influence who belongs and who doesn’t.

When you see Korean students all wearing the same padded jackets and carrying the same branded bags, it may not simply be about fashion—it’s a survival strategy. They conform to avoid standing out, fearing rejection or loneliness for being different.

Then they arrive in Canada, and everything changes. Here, relationships are defined less by appearance or possessions, and more by confidence and self-expression. The challenge, however, is that this self-expression must happen in English. Thinking of what to say, finding the right words, and forming sentences often makes them miss their moment in a conversation. Their hearts are open, but their words can’t keep up—and that’s when distance quietly grows.

One student I met used to sit alone every day at lunch. I first assumed it was shyness, but later he said something that struck me deeply: “What’s hardest is not understanding the jokes.” He wasn’t just learning a language—he was learning how to connect emotionally through it. Months later, he told a classmate in English, “You have a cute smile,” and for the first time, they laughed together. That was the moment a real friendship began.

This journey of forming friendships in a new culture is never simple. That’s why patience and encouragement from parents are essential. Saying things like “It’s okay to take your time” or “Even if your English isn’t perfect, your heart comes through” can give your child tremendous strength. Confidence matters just as much as language ability—and that confidence grows from a parent’s belief.

Some may ask, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just stay in Korea?” In the short term, yes. But when your child becomes an adult and faces a world where English and other cultures feel intimidating, it might be too late to bridge that gap. Early study abroad isn’t just about academics—it’s training for life, for learning how to stay true to oneself in a diverse, global world.

What our children truly need isn’t a perfect English score—it’s the courage to connect sincerely across languages and cultures. Through making friends, failing, and trying again, they learn the strength to relate and belong anywhere.

Every moment your child spends trying to make friends in a new country is shaping them into a more open, empathetic, and resilient person. In the end, they learn that communication is far more than words. And perhaps that is the real reason for early study abroad.

If you’d like to talk more about how studying abroad can nurture that kind of growth, feel free to reach out to Schools ON AIR.