The Friendship Guide
With my father visiting me this past weekend, I introduced him to the friends I had made over this first semester of college. Between the flurry of introductions, matcha lattes, and delectable pancakes, I realized the profoundness and quality of the friendships I had created over these past couple of months. Four girls from completely opposite ends of the world were now sitting in a cozy café in Lisbon, yapping away about travel experiences, politics, and where they wanted to go in life. I realized how quickly time had passed. The jittery pre-term nerves about making friends had dissipated into the current moment, where my friendships had transformed into sisterhood. Over the past few months, we’ve shared and built memories on the cobbled streets of Lisbon that will remain dear to me for a long time. So, how did it happen?
Before coming, I remember anxiously checking out everyone’s WhatsApp profiles, Instagram accounts, and phone country codes, theorizing who I would be friends with. This confession, while somewhat embarrassing, is one I know I’m not alone in making, and I hope it provides you with some comfort. After all, we humans just want to fit in. So, what better way to prepare for making friends than by trying to learn everything about them before meeting them?
Wrong.
Do not do this, please!
Honestly, the worst part of making friends was waiting to make them. Upon my arrival in Lisbon, Forward College planned an event for the incoming cohort. For me, this was my first official encounter with the people I would be with for the next three years. Of course, it was daunting. What if I didn’t fit in? What if people didn’t like me? What if I didn’t like them?
The plethora of “what ifs” feeding my anxiety soon disappeared when I stepped in and was welcomed by a crowd of friendly smiles and hellos. The ease and comfort I felt talking with my new peers soon translated into plans for coffee meetups, thrifting, city explorations, and nights out. These plans turned into reality, and bonds were created over time. Months later, I found myself enjoying brunch, introducing my dad to friends who truly knew me. Reflecting on my journey, here’s what I learned about forming friendships:
