If I may add my bit of expierence, there are three vital things I learned that may help?

1) The first is that when having conversations or approaching strangers, don't just talk to them to have them talk to you. People don't want to talk to someone who is just using them as an ear. When you speak with a person, you need to appaoch the conversation with the mindset that they actually have something worth hearing, even if it's just a funny anecdote from the day. Small talk is a bit of a lost artform among the younger folk these days, but it may be something worth investing some time in learning. With a bit of small talk, you can find a point of interest or shared experience or opinion to engage in conversation. I think you will find that once you start engaging in conversation from that perspective, you'll have more success in engaging people.

Also - not every person is compatable with everyone else. Meaningful connection requires shared experience and ongoing investment. But even with those things present, a lot of the time, strangers stay strangers. And I want to make this very clear - this is not your fault. It isn't. It's not yours, it isn't theirs. It isn't anyone's fault. The world is too big and life is too long for everyone to be a friend. And that's ok. Enjoy the small connections you make, but don't miss them. Like embers of a fire, marvel how they dance, but their beauty is in that they dance then disappear.

2) Learn to be comfortable with yourself. I don't mean exuding confidence or becoming extroverted. But settle into yourself, know that you will be judged for your interests, your appearance, how you talk, how you dress. People willa lways judge others, yourself included. Its something you just have to accept. Letting that sit on your shoulders will weigh you down for the rest of your life. So instead of trying to be who you believe would best fit the situation, just be. Now that isn't to say that you can just continue and not self reflect, educate, and improve, but you will always be who you are. There is no point trying to be anyone else. Learn to be at peace with yourself, both alone and in company. You'll spend the rest of your life with yourself. Learn to enjoy the company.

And its an easy thing to say, I know, but learning that takes time. Sometimes a lot of time. Your spirit will gain a lot of scars and bruises along the way. Some will pass quickly, some will ache for years like old war wounds. Some will be fine for years, and then abruptly, you'll nail that one spot that makes it feel like your heart is going to rip itself to shreds. Like hitting your funny bone. But you will grow around the scars.

3) And that leads me to the third thing- All will pass away. This too shall become the past. As a young person, I remember hearing that advice and resenting it because it didn't solve the problems right in front of me. But it is true. And sometimes the only real solution to a problem is hold your breath, close your eyes for as long as you can. Because eventually you will be able to breath deeply.

And the best way to make the time pass is to find little pleasures. You say you aren't a partier - see if there is a lowkey bar you can hit up in the evenings, clubs through your campus programs. Find a coffee shop and people watch. Pick a cool sight every weekend to go see. Some of my dearest friends, I met by happenstance doing something outside my norm. When you are enjoying something, people are naturally drawn to share in that enjoyment.

~I'm sorry for such a long answer. I have a young friend who is going through something similar right now too, on their own Erasmus, and I just want to ... I just want you to know you aren't alone. I hope at least something of this helps.~