I think that some of the hardest things to come to terms with before studying abroad was leaving behind my friends, my family, and my life in Auburn. It is scary knowing I am spending an entire semester with women, who for the majority, I have had little to no interaction with prior to this trip.

I started to get nervous: Will they like me? Do I annoy them? Do they wish I wasn’t around as much? However, the more time I spend with everyone, the more these fears fade away. I feel as though in such a short amount of time I have grown so close with these women, and it feels like I have known them for years! They are some of the funniest, nicest, easy-going, and supportive girls I have met during my time at Auburn, and I could not have met them at a more perfect time.

As a rising senior, it is not the easiest to make new friends and I know many of the people here are in the same boat. We are comfortable with our friendships at home, and we have been a part of the same organizations for some time now. It is not as easy to branch out and meet new people, and I did not always want to put in extra effort. That is why there is a beauty in “forced friendships.” We are all living under the same roof and are each other’s support system in a new place. I honestly could not think of a more perfect place to get to know people better.

It is all so different than what I am used to, and I would not have it any other way. I see traits in these women that I wish to embody, and I am finding more of myself as I get to know them. I can honestly say I have never had a group of friends like this before and I am so thankful for our forced friendship!

Ciao for now,

Morgan McWilliams