Relocating to a new country brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty—especially when it comes to building a new social circle. Indonesia is a warm and welcoming country, but forming meaningful friendships as an expat can still take time and effort. Whether you’re arriving with a family or starting a solo adventure, there are many ways to connect, contribute, and find your community in Indonesia.

For Expats with Families: Get Involved Through School Life

If you have school-aged children, one of the best ways to build friendships and find your footing is through their school. Most international schools in Jakarta and other major cities actively encourage parental participation.

• Join the PTA: Parent-Teacher Associations are common and welcome all kinds of support—from event planning to simple volunteering.
• Support Sports & Arts: Attending or helping organize your child’s sports matches, drama performances, or music events is a great way to meet like-minded parents.
• Volunteer Your Time: Even small acts, like helping with school fairs or teacher appreciation days, are deeply appreciated and often lead to social connections.

Some prominent international schools include:

• Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS)
• British School Jakarta
• Australian Independent School (AIS)
• Singapore Intercultural School

These communities tend to be warm and active—don’t be afraid to introduce yourself!

Join Women’s Groups & Social Associations

Jakarta has a vibrant network of women’s associations that provide expats with opportunities to engage in charity, socialize, and take part in cultural events. Many of these groups are also involved in meaningful support for local causes.

• British Women’s Association (BWA) – A dynamic group known for social events, coffee mornings, and charity work.
• ANZA (Australia & New Zealand Association) – Open to all nationalities, ANZA hosts regular events, playgroups, and charitable activities.
• WIC (Women’s International Club) – A long-established club connecting women of all nationalities through cultural programs and philanthropy.
• German Ladies Group Jakarta –Offers a strong sense of community and active support for local beneficiaries.

By helping organize events or volunteering in one of their programs, you’ll naturally build relationships with others who share your interests and nationalities.

For Singles & Working Professionals: Expand Your Network Beyond the Office

Even if you’re relocating alone or without children, there are plenty of ways to meet people and grow your personal and professional circles.

Join a Business Chamber or Networking Group

These are ideal for professionals looking to make connections beyond their workplace.

• AmCham Indonesia – American Chamber of Commerce
• BritCham Indonesia – British Chamber of Commerce, Professional Business Women Group
• EuroCham Indonesia – European businesses in Indonesia
• ICC Indonesia – International Chamber of Commerce

Most of these host monthly mixers, speaker series, and seminars that welcome non-members.

Dive into Your Favourite Sport or Hobby

Jakarta and other cities have thriving expat sport scenes and hobby clubs. These are excellent ways to make friends organically.

• Jakarta Golf Club – https://www.jakartagolfclub.com
• Jakarta Intercultural Soccer League – Active league with both adult and youth teams.
• Jakarta Baseball Community – Casual and competitive games
• Yoga in Jakarta – Studios all around the city
• Tennis and Basketball Clubs – Many embassies and compounds have courts and informal groups. Ask around or check with the Jakarta Intercultural S
• chool sports community.

Interested in Culture? Join a Heritage Group

If cultural learning and local exploration are more your style, consider becoming a member of the Indonesian Heritage Society (IHS).
They offer:

• Guided museum tours
• Study groups on Indonesian history, textiles, art, and more
• Volunteer opportunities and lecture events

It’s a rich way to deepen your understanding of Indonesia while forging new friendships.

Explore with a Hiking Group

If you enjoy the outdoors, Java Lava is a well-known trekking club that organizes weekend hikes around Java’s volcanoes and countryside. You’ll meet friendly adventurers from all backgrounds. Another option is plan a trek with ID Guides which has a variety of trekking trails just a short drive outside of Jakarta.

Take a Class or Workshop

Enroll in a language class (like Bahasa Indonesia), cooking workshop, or photography course. Check out a cooking centre like ABC cooking, Pantry Magic or Modena Culliary who all offer a series of classes or a one off session. If photography interests you, many of the larger photography shops offer classes. Topics like flying drones, videography or photography are all offered for those who want to enhance their photography skills.

Attend a Quiz Night

Teams of 2, 3 or 4 people compete in trivia covering general knowledge, movies, geography, music, and more. If you don’t have a team you can join another group to participate.  Broadway Bar in Mega Kuningan or The American Club are venues that often host this fun evening.

Check Out “Meet Up”

Meetup.com and InterNations both have active Jakarta communities offering regular events focused on socializing, business networking, dining, and outdoor activities.

Now Jakarta Magazine for Events

Now Jakarta is one of the city’s most trusted English-language lifestyle publications. It features up-to-date listings of cultural events, exhibitions, restaurant openings, networking functions, and social happenings around the city. Browsing their events calendar or subscribing to their newsletter is a fantastic way to discover what’s going on and where to meet people who share your interests.

Final Thoughts

Making friends as an expat in Indonesia requires a bit of initiative, but the rewards are well worth it. Whether you’re a parent tapping into your child’s school community, a working professional attending chamber mixers, or an adventurer joining a hiking group, Indonesia offers many paths to connection.

The key is to stay open, say yes to invitations, and look for opportunities to contribute. Community is everywhere—it just takes one conversation to start building it.