Just to talk a bit about my experience as a beginner: I encountered Esperanto at the Polyglot Gathering in Berlin.

Afterwards, I kept in contact with these people.

Then I used Duolingo Esperanto Learners, another group and the Duolingo forum...

Don't forget that you can use YouTube for listening and interaction, too! You can even make your own channel! Look at these three beauties: Evildea, Language Stuff, en la kuirejo kun Jake.

And right before the IJK (a congress that took place in Poland this year) I discovered Telegram!

Check mondmapo and ask in the Esperanto groups if there is anyone near you! I went to the local club, but I mostly meet friends informally instead of going to club meetings anyway... and I use Telegram every day. Now I'm pretty much fluent and I really enjoy my language journey. Welcome to Stack Exchange and welcome to Esperantujo!