Student Voice: Building international friendships as an exchange student

One of the most valuable aspects of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. For me, building international friendships has become an important part of my exchange experience and personal growth. Leaving my own country for a couple of months was not easy. Therefore I want to share some of my experiences, especially for the people who feel the same way.

At the beginning of my stay, I was quite shy and reluctant to make new friends. I just wanted to talk with my friend from Poland, Jagoda, with whom I came here. Everything felt strange, and I was not confident enough to start conversations with people I had just met. Since English is not my native language, I was scared that people would not understand me. However, things gradually changed after I got to know my roommate Riko. Spending time together and having daily conversations helped me feel more comfortable and gave me the confidence to interact with others.

Orientation Week was also invaluable. Through various university events, social activities and group meetings, I met many students from around the world. These events created a friendly and supportive atmosphere and made it easier to connect with people who were in a similar situation. As a result, I quickly expanded my social circle and learned more about different cultures and perspectives.

Another vital point was participating in class discussions. At first, I was worried about speaking in English and making mistakes. Still, regular debates encouraged me to express my views and engage with my classmates. Over time, I have become more self-assured and successfully overcame my language barrier.