I’ve always thought of myself as someone who makes friends pretty easily. At school, it never felt like something I had to think about; it just kind of happened. I’d meet people, find my group and feel settled without really questioning it. Living abroad has made me realize it’s not always that simple.
I came to Australia knowing only a few people from my school, and even then, we weren’t that close. On top of that, this is the longest period of time that I’ve ever been away from home. At first, everything felt new, with different routines, a different environment and different people, and I think I assumed I would adjust socially the same way I always have. However, there were definitely moments where I didn’t feel like that version of myself.
Social media can make studying abroad look like you instantly find your people, where everything just clicks. Don't get me wrong; there are a lot of amazing moments. But what you don’t really see are the in-between moments, like the ones where you feel a little out of place, or where conversations don’t come as naturally, or where you’re not as comfortable as you thought you’d be. That’s probably been one of the most unexpected challenges for me.
