🪩 Want to Make New Friends as an Exchange Student at Queen’s? Here’s How Kingston Nightlife Makes It Easy
- Nhi Nguyen
- Nov 24
- 2 min read
Arriving in Kingston for your exchange semester is an experience full of excitement. But as thrilling as it is, there’s always that quiet, universal worry lingering in the back of every exchange student’s mind: “Will I actually make friends here?”
But if there’s one thing that makes Queen’s University and Kingston special, it’s how easy it becomes to meet people once you’re here. Between the welcoming student culture and the vibrant nightlife, forming new friendships happens far more naturally than you’d expect.
Specific Nightlife Moments That Help You Make Friends
👭 Meeting People in Line
It sounds odd, but lines are where half of Kingston’s friendships begin. And lines here? They move slowly (which means lots of time for small talk).
Typical openers you’ll hear:
“Where are you from?”
“How long are you here for?”
“What are your must-do Kingston plans so far?”
These conversations often turn into, “Want to join us inside?”, and suddenly, you’ve met five new people.
Discover favorite clubs in Kingston ⬇️
🎷 Bonding Through Shared Experiences
Once you’re inside, everything becomes even easier. Dancing shoulder-to-shoulder, belting karaoke at The Brass, laughing during trivia nights. These shared moments break down awkwardness instantly.
You don’t have to force anything; the atmosphere does the work for you.
🎉 Themed Nights & Student Events
Kingston thrives on themed events, especially run by student clubs:
Karaoke nights
DJ takeovers
Trivia evenings
Cultural nights
Club-hosted mixers
These events naturally bring people together, especially exchange students eager to try new things.
Still figuring out what to do this week? Check these suggestions ⬇️
Practical Tips for Exchange Students Who Want to Make Friends
Join Queen’s club mixers or pre-drinks before heading out.
Say yes to spontaneous invites, the best nights are rarely planned.
Go out with other exchange students at first to boost confidence.
Start conversations while waiting in line or ordering at the bar.
Attend themed nights for natural icebreakers.
Use nights out as a gateway to deeper friendships: brunch, study groups, weekend trips.
Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself; locals love hearing accents and stories.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re feeling nervous about meeting new people, know that it’s completely normal. But Kingston is truly one of the easiest places to form new friendships, simply because the student community is so open and the nightlife is so perfectly designed for connection.
🪩 Put yourself out there, even just a little bit, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you build your own friend group, routine, and unforgettable memories.
Want real-time tips on Kingston nightlife, from the best student bars to weekly event updates? Check out Out & About Kingston, the student-run guide to where the night’s actually happening: https://outandaboutkingston.ca/
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