Making Friendships

Before I came to Australia I felt like that hardest part about the beginning of my journey here would be finding friends. I am usually very shy when I meet people at first, even the friends I have back home say that I am a way different person compered to when I first met them. I'm not very good at first impressions because it takes me a while to get to know people before I can really be myself. Because of this I was a little worried about coming all the way across the world not really knowing anyone at all.

At first, it was hard for me, luckily my roommates were really nice and almost everyone else I met were really friendly. I was thankful for that because it made things a bit easier. On the inside, I always feel extremely uncomfortable and vulnerable when I meet new people, but I always try my best to make sure others do not realize that it is how I feel. I say hi and introduce myself, and try to make small talk. Doing this only gives you acquaintances, unfortunately...so it is a lot harder to find a group of friends that you really click with and that really like your personality. I went the first week knowing my roommates and a couple people that I registered with on the first day. The next week I finally got reunited with Vanessa, so I had her and her roommates, who were all extremely nice! I did things with them from time to time and I always enjoy my time with them, but in the back of my mind I always felt like things didn't feel right...and I didn't want to seem like I was incapable of branching out on my own.

It wasn't until recently that I met a really cool group of people! I went out to a club, there were free shuttles going to the club from UniCentral. I went with Vanessa and her friends, but when the shuttle came, we all didn't fit so I ended up taking the second shuttle with a bunch of people I didn't know. They were basically all roommates in a big house together. I sat next to a girl named Tara who I talked to on the way there, and I met a few of her roommates that were sitting nearby. I quickly discovered that we were going to be very close : ) I ended up hanging out with them for the rest of the night and I had a blast!!! I was so excited that I found my own group of friends. I learned that no matter what, it will always be a process to find friends for me (something I don't have much patience for), but when it happens, it is completely worth it! I just have to put myself out there, go out and have a good time, and soon enough everything will fall into place. I am looking forward to the adventures ahead!