Today I went to Brooklyn for the afternoon and was amazed at how much I felt so out of place even just a few subway stops from home.

First, the surroundings felt unwelcoming and different. Unlike Manhattan, side streets were quiet – devoid of people and the apartments seemed run down and empty. Nothing felt familiar. This is often the same type of feeling you can have when you move to a new culture.

Next, I went to a party for small children where I seemed to be the only person who was not a parent. It made me feel an outsider, there was nothing I had on common with anyone on the surface. Again, these are some of the same thoughts and feelings I’ve had living overseas.

But, then a little girl caught my eye. She was lively – dancing to the music and giving high fives to the DJ. So I told her mother how cute her daughter is and wham – a connection was made!

Often times all it takes to fit in someplace different is a compliment or an observation. Simply find one person and reach out to them with a compliment or a question. This one step could help you make a new friend in a foreign place.