The Importance of Finding a Third Place Abroad and How to Do It: Expand Your Local Connections!

When living abroad, you tend to have fewer natural connections like friends from school or relatives, and your social circle can easily become limited. Your workplace might become your only place for interaction, or if you are not working, you may often find yourself isolated. In such a situation, finding a 'third place' becomes the key to enriching your life abroad. A third place refers to a location or community outside of home and work where you can spend time relaxing, and it is especially important for foreigners to actively expand these spaces. Based on my experience, I will introduce how to find a third place and expand your connections.

Take a two-step approach to networking in a foreign country

If you have no issues with language skills, you can socialize just as you would in Japan, but for the average Japanese person, the language barrier is inevitably a hurdle in a foreign country.
While your English proficiency is low, it is a good idea to take a two-step approach: first, participate in Japan-related networking, and then, as your English improves, shift to environments with a higher ratio of native speakers.

Japanese people often have the conceit that 'people all over the world love Japan and Japanese food,' but that is certainly not the case, haha.
While there are fans of Japan due to anime and manga, and in recent years, fans of healthy Japanese cuisine have increased, Japan is ultimately just a small country in the Far East of Asia.
Japanese people might feel the same way about where Ireland is, but many ordinary Irish people also have a level of awareness that is limited to something like, 'Japan? Oh, is that sushi?'
While your English is low, it is difficult to appeal to your 'personal charm' to people who have no interest in Japan and build friendships, so deepening interactions with people who are interested in Japan while improving your English is ultimately the shortcut.

In other words, while your English is low, I recommend going through two stages: first, deepening interactions centered on (1) the common interest of Japan, and (2) hobbies that do not require high language proficiency, such as sports, and then, once your English has improved, looking for places where you can enjoy your own original hobbies.

1. New encounters on Meetup

Meetup is a convenient tool used by many people.https://www.meetup.com/

On Meetup, there are not only Japan-related meetups but also many gatherings that match your hobbies. Even if you are anxious about your English, if it is a Japan-related meetup, the hurdle is low, and it is sufficient as a first step to building new connections. The disadvantage is that participants tend to be limited to people interested in Japan, but if you gradually improve your English, you will be able to expand your world of hobbies further.

You can also start your own Meetup group (paid members only).
For a while during the COVID-19 pandemic, I also started a group called 'Online Tea Break' and did networking with people who were socially isolated, such as sole proprietors and company employees working remotely. I had some good encounters, but I also had some strange ones. Since free Meetups can be joined by anyone for better or worse, there are difficult aspects to managing them.

Furthermore, in Ireland, information exchange in local Facebook community groups is also active. There is useful information exchange such as local event information, sharing of convenient services, and information on freelance cleaners, babysitters, and piano teachers. Networking in such places might also be an idea. As an aside, room rental advertisements are sometimes posted in these local communities, so I think those who are looking for a house should use them.

It goes without saying, but there are some unsettling encounters online, so please do not neglect to be careful.

2. Expanding your network through sports and outdoor activities

In Ireland, communities that enjoy sports are very active (as is the case in Japan).
There are many people who enjoy various sports activities such as hiking, walking, running, kayaking, and badminton as a social venue. As mentioned above, high English proficiency is not required, so let's exercise together and deepen our friendships.

In the past, I also frequently participated in hiking, walking, and Zumba. Zumba, in particular, was held in my neighborhood, so it was very useful for local community connections. I would bump into Zumba friends at the local supermarket or while out for a walk, and we would often chat. (Irish people are basically fond of chatting.)

Recently, I have been thinking about making golf and bouldering my hobbies, but especially with golf, I am not getting any better, so my motivation is starting to fade...

Groups and clubs that you can join through sports are a wonderful way to connect with local people while relaxing.

3. Participating in volunteer organizations

A famous Japan-related event supported by volunteers is Experience Japan.

Many student volunteers participate in this event, which is held every year during the Easter season, so I think it is perfect for networking for young people. I have also participated as a volunteer several times.

In recent years, I have been involved with the IJA (Ireland Japan Association), a volunteer organization that connects Ireland and Japan.

At IJA, there are plenty of networking opportunities, such as Japanese conversation clubs where you can interact with Irish Japanese speakers, and business seminars on expanding into or investing in Japan. These organizations are perfect for creating a third place because they provide opportunities to connect directly with local people who are interested in Japanese culture, language, and business.

Also, since last year, we have launched a book club within IJA. This club provides a space for reading and discussing Japan-related books, as well as communicating with other Japanese and Irish people. Our selections so far have included a variety of genres, such as Japanese classics like Natsume Soseki's Kokoro and Shusaku Endo's Silence, the bestseller The Courage to Be Disliked, contemporary authors and works, Keigo Higashino's Malice, and Asako Yuzuki's Butter. These have all been translated into English and are popular worldwide, but it is very interesting to see how there are parts that differ from Japanese interpretations.

Furthermore, I hold another book club specializing in non-fiction with former colleagues, and these book clubs have become an irreplaceable third place for me.
Book clubs are just one example, but I feel that creating a community that fits your hobbies and lifestyle leads to a third place. If there isn't one that fits perfectly, it's also a good idea to create one yourself.

This is a bit of a digression, but I have respect and admiration for entrepreneurs. People who build systems and organizations and generate profit. However, there are also people in this world who build communities that do not generate profit. Volunteering and hobby activities are prime examples of this. They are the same as entrepreneurs in that they build systems and organizations, but there is no financial gain. However, I think it is a very valuable action in the sense that they are creating activities where people can find enjoyment and fulfillment. Coming to Ireland and meeting many such fascinating community builders has also been a valuable experience for me.

4. Expanding your circle of mom friends

Especially for those raising children, interacting with mom friends is one of the important ways to create a third place. I regularly have playdates with friends I met at my child's nursery school and with parents in the neighborhood. These interactions not only foster relationships between the children but also serve as a valuable place for parents to exchange information and support each other. This is also an important opportunity to create new connections outside of work and home.

It is difficult to find families where both the children and the moms get along well, but I recommend it because playing with such families on the weekends is fun for both parents and children, and it's like killing three birds with one stone. Let's actively participate in child-related events and increase our number of mom friends. Especially for Japanese people who are information-poor, the wide and deep information network of local moms is essential!

Summary: Take action!

In life abroad, if you don't consciously create a third place, your days tend to end just between home and work. For me, by volunteering, joining book clubs, and expanding my circle of mom friends, my life has become richer and my connections with local people have increased. I hope you all will also find a third place by utilizing your interests and hobbies to enrich your daily lives.

In life abroad, a third place is a place for growth in a new environment. Take action now and start expanding your new connections!