When I moved to Sweden 4.5 years ago on a research grant to study integration, I encountered newcomers on a daily basis struggling to rebuild their social circles. For multiple years in a row, Sweden has been ranked the no. 1 hardest country to make new friends in. I myself experienced this struggle firsthand, so I created Panion, a keyword-searchable social app that connects people based on common interests, goals, values, and experiences. The app allows you to find like-minded people nearby by tagging your profile with keywords that best describe you and the types of people you’d like to meet. On Panion you can explore those who share your interests nearby, then reach out to organize in-person meetups. The app also proposes relevant activities in your area so it’s easy to turn online interactions into real life friendships. With a platform that focuses solely on interest and less on physical appearance, friendships can transcend socio-economic, cultural, and racial differences.