> Then came the question of method. The resounding advice was “Get a hobby.” But I had only a month, and I didn’t think I could learn a new skill while trying to make friends.

As she later wrote in the article, it's not necessary to possess a skill to hang out with others, mere interest is often sufficient. Many hobby "tribes" (for a lack of a better word) have plenty of enthusiasts who will be more than happy to welcome a newcomer and show them around. That may be a friendship in of itself, or that may lead to other friendships centered around some common interest.

The deepest of friendships often start in the shallowest of ways, so lowering expectations at the beginning may be useful.