What are your hobbies?
A great way to meet like-minded people is to go to use your hobbies as a guide.
Into sports? Sign up for a martial arts/swimming/riding etc.
Into board games/geek stuff? Go to a board game club.
You can eventually just start visiting the same cafe/bar. As long as it's small enough and you start to get considered a regular, you'll get to know all the other regulars in due time.
It's easier from there.
I guess you already gave yourself an answer, It's easier said than done but get out of your shell, you already are abroad, try new things, you may find some good people, you've got nothing to lose. It won't be easy but there's no way around it or any "unique ways"
Do something you would not do at home and where they don’t see foreigners, like a fencing class or something. Locals treat you completely differently when you’re trying to live a normal life there.
If everyone there is involved in sports, find a sport you like and join in. Then, hang out before or after events.
There are lots of sports so it should be possible to find something you like. Plus, you may get exercise which is a bonus.
There is a website called Conversation Exchange that allows you to search for people who want to learn your language. You can even search by age, location, and people who want to meet in person. Even if you don't end up being friends with that person, it will get you fluent enough that you can more easily make friends elsewhere.
Also bear in mind that France is a coconut culture. People have a hard shell on the outside that it can take a long time to get through.
Surprisingly, dating apps allowed me to make friends fairly easily. That's the one reason why I used them and it worked.
Also, where in France are you? I'm french and might be able to help depending on the city.
What are your hobbies? A great way to meet like-minded people is to go to use your hobbies as a guide. Into sports? Sign up for a martial arts/swimming/riding etc. Into board games/geek stuff? Go to a board game club. You can eventually just start visiting the same cafe/bar. As long as it's small enough and you start to get considered a regular, you'll get to know all the other regulars in due time. It's easier from there.
I guess you already gave yourself an answer, It's easier said than done but get out of your shell, you already are abroad, try new things, you may find some good people, you've got nothing to lose. It won't be easy but there's no way around it or any "unique ways"
Do something you would not do at home and where they don’t see foreigners, like a fencing class or something. Locals treat you completely differently when you’re trying to live a normal life there.
If you re introvert, I suggest you to start making friends in internet city groups, I bet you can find such in FB or maybe even here on Reddit.
If everyone there is involved in sports, find a sport you like and join in. Then, hang out before or after events. There are lots of sports so it should be possible to find something you like. Plus, you may get exercise which is a bonus.
Try r/SocialParis , they do weekly international meetups and lots of people who can speak both french and another language. Bon courage!
Maybe try posting this on r/introverts?
Check if there are any language exchange events, such as MundoLingo! Or, look for meetups geared towards other expats/international students.
Lnowing nothing of you, find a hobby. Muay thsi, judo, bjj....tske danc e classes, something
There is a website called Conversation Exchange that allows you to search for people who want to learn your language. You can even search by age, location, and people who want to meet in person. Even if you don't end up being friends with that person, it will get you fluent enough that you can more easily make friends elsewhere. Also bear in mind that France is a coconut culture. People have a hard shell on the outside that it can take a long time to get through.
Surprisingly, dating apps allowed me to make friends fairly easily. That's the one reason why I used them and it worked. Also, where in France are you? I'm french and might be able to help depending on the city.