How to start building a social network

[owl25]

I'm at a point where I really am in need of friends. I am socially very isolated and it's really hard. I don't really know how to go about changing this, especially given the pandemic now. Has anyone managed to build a supportive group of friends, and if so, how did you do it? One thing I really struggle with is the feeling so different from others (being from a somewhat different culture factors into this as well). I just feel too different and can't imagine anyone ever really understanding me.