Before moving to New York, I thought college would mostly be about classes, assignments, internships, and preparing for my future career. While those things have certainly become a huge part of my life, one thing surprised me the most—the friendships I built along the way.
Starting college in a different country felt intimidating. I wondered if it would be difficult to connect with people from completely different backgrounds. Luckily, I met amazing friends much sooner than I expected. Looking back, I think they became one of the biggest reasons why New York gradually started feeling like home.
One thing I love about college is that everyone arrives with a different story. Some students grew up only a few miles away from campus, while others, like me, moved across the world. We all have different cultures, experiences, and goals, yet somehow we end up sitting in the same classrooms, working on the same projects, and helping each other through stressful weeks.
Some of my favorite college memories have nothing to do with grades or exams.
Instead, I think about walking through SoHo after class, trying new cafés together, spending hours studying before finals, or taking the subway somewhere without a real plan just to explore another part of the city. Those are the moments I remember the most.
Friendships also made stressful moments feel much easier. College can become overwhelming very quickly. Between assignments, exams, internships, and trying to balance everything else, it is easy to feel exhausted. Having friends to study with, talk to, or simply laugh with after a long day reminded me that I was never dealing with everything alone.
One thing that surprised me was how naturally friendships developed. Sometimes they started with something as simple as asking a classmate about homework or sitting next to someone during class. Other times, they grew through group projects, late-night study sessions, or spontaneous plans after lectures. Looking back, none of those moments seemed important at the time, but together they built meaningful friendships.
Moving to another country also taught me that friendship does not depend on speaking the same first language or growing up in the same place. Kindness, curiosity, and simply being open to meeting new people matter much more. Some of the people I have become closest to have completely different backgrounds than mine, and I think that has made my college experience even more meaningful.
Another lesson I learned is that belonging is not something that happens overnight. Even if you make friends quickly, feeling completely comfortable in a new place takes time. Little by little, New York became filled with familiar places connected to memories instead of uncertainty. Certain cafés remind me of study sessions before exams. Favorite restaurants remind me of celebrations after finishing difficult semesters. Parks and neighborhoods remind me of conversations that lasted for hours. Those memories slowly transformed the city into somewhere that feels like home.
Looking back now, I realize that college is not only about earning a degree. It is also about the people you meet along the way. The friendships you build often become just as valuable as everything you learn inside the classroom. They encourage you during difficult moments, celebrate your successes, and remind you that you do not have to experience college alone.
As graduation gets a little closer each year, I know I probably will not remember every lecture or every assignment. What I will remember are the conversations after class, the late-night study sessions, the spontaneous trips around New York, and the people who became part of my journey.
Takeaway
College is about much more than academics. The friendships you build can make unfamiliar places feel like home and difficult moments feel much easier. Being open to meeting new people, spending time together, and creating shared memories may become one of the most valuable parts of your entire college experience.
By Polina Makarova
Polina Makarova is an English and Literature major at Pace University with a minor in Journalism and Digital Storytelling. She enjoys writing about college life, personal growth, wellness, and finding confidence while studying abroad.
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