When you FirstArive, your missing R is Relationship - let's build that together!
Starting life in a new city or country can be overwhelming—navigating public transit, finding ethnic groceries, making friends, or even understanding local customs can feel like daily challenges. FirstArive is a digital platform built to ease that transition. Students get practical support, local guidance, and access to a community of hosts who offer events, advice, and real connections. With features like a local marketplace, professional networking opportunities, and helpful tips on everyday life, FirstArive helps students feel grounded faster. For host communities, it’s a chance to make a meaningful difference and build bridges that matter.
Thrive Silver student memberships will receive a $10 UBER voucher, redeemable on their app!
Come check out our featured meetup, we'd love to see you there!
Check out the latest events and marketplace items!
Experience an intelligent, warm way to settle in, branch out, and build your future.
Check out community meetups near your university!
- MA
We’d love to welcome you! Join us for good food, great company, and meaningful conversations as we connect, share stories, and learn from one another.
- MA
If you’re new to the city or country, we’d love to welcome you! Join us for good food, great company, and meaningful conversations as we connect, share stories, and learn from one another.
On the menu: flavorful Chicken Tikka, aromatic Chicken Biryani, and fresh salad.
Testimonials
Stories from friends who have arrived.
Sarah Joy
Markus
Host for Free or Get Paid
Share to Inspire and build community together!
Utilize FirstArive’s social platform to form meaningful connections with students in the community through cultural exchange, and mutual growth.
Whether you’re a host with stories to share or a neighbor, let’s welcome domestic and international students who are new in your city, together!
How to create unforgettable experiences?
Start with one meal, one gathering, one story and make lifelong relationship.
Step 1: Create a Meetup!
Click + new meetup at the top of the page to build out your meetup for the community!
Step 2: Add your paypal account
To add a meetup, you will need to provide your paypal email address here or from the form. This will allow us to pay you if you list a paid meetup!
Step 3: Share to the community!
Your meetup after you submit your details will be shared on the newsfeed, however you can also share your meetup with specific communities (like university or location groups you are in).
Step 4: Check out members who want to attend!
You’ll get notified on the platform and via email when a member would like to attend your event. Check out their profile and choose whether to admit them!
Step 5: Host the meetup!
After members have confirmed and reserved their seats, host your meetup, connect and get to know one another!
Step 6: Earn or Give Back
If your meetup was offered for a fee, we will send you your payment via paypal after the event has passed. If it was free, thank you for offering your time to members of this community!