This will probably be the hardest blog to write so far and that is only because of how much my heart hurts from missing these people who in such a short period of time left an indelible mark on me. These people who I came into contact with in Melbourne opened themselves up to me, offered me their friendship, and welcomed me into their lives. My new friends, from all across the world, were my rocks while in Australia. We shared amazing experiences and moments that instantly connected us. Not knowing I would only be there for only five weeks, I did not realize how precious each day was and makes missing them so much more intense. Knowing I should be with my friends in Australia for another three months is something that breaks me every day. I should be writing this blog in Aussie with my friends within reach-literally, not in my bed back in the US with them so far from me!! God knows I am happy to be home and safe from this pandemic but being apart from my new, amazing friends is still something that saddens me each and every day. Reflecting on my experiences in Australia and the fact that I was only there for an abbreviated portion of the intended trip made me realize how strong and pure some of the relationships I made were. Meeting people while abroad was something I worried about but once arriving in Australia, I figured every person I met was going to be in the same position as I was, being new to this whole Australian university thing. This realization made the situation a lot easier. La Trobe is an extremely large school with a lot of students but the living accommodations were great for meeting friends and staying in touch as everything is walking distance away. The dorm, Chisholm, was where I lived as well as all my other SU classmates but in different towers. Chisholm consists of 12 three-story dorm-like buildings in which you have your own room, communal toilets and you have a kitchen on each floor. Living so close to people on campus also made meeting up and hanging out easier and connections were made very fast. Not even after the first week studying in Melbourne, I had my group of about six boys and six girls who became my bestest of friends while studying there and the reason why I am writing this blog this week lol. Most of the people I met and connected with most were Americans, as I said before, we were all in the same position as international students. I did have a handful of Australian friends as well that I met at La Trobe by going to campus events and social gatherings. Also, some of my closest friends in my friend circle were from Europe, places such as Sweden and the United Kingdom. Getting to know more about them and their cultures also gave me an understanding of what they were going through being away from home and things that they missed. Even though they were not American like myself, we found similarities which we shared together and this brought us closer as friends. No matter the cultural differences you may see in others compared to yourself, there are things that bring you together despite the differences. By sharing stories, memories, or just having a normal conversation, you can develop a deeper understanding of others' culture and gain a certain respect for their customs and values. My friends who I met from studying abroad were just strangers before we shared a conversation that then turned into laughs, which turned into forever memories. It just happened so naturally which is why I think they are so lasting. They are genuine friendships–no hidden agendas or ulterior motives, just people who were open to new experiences and willing to open themselves up to new people. I never knew pure friendships could be made in such a short time but meeting my friends from this experience definitely proved this theory wrong. I got to genuinely bond with people I would have never gotten to meet without this amazing experience thanks to SU. My friends and I still Facetime, Snapchat, and even Zoom chat at nighttime to catch up when all the time zones match up. It’s not always easy but it is so important to keep in contact with people who matter and these people matter. My trip abroad, although short, was a trip of a lifetime. Yes, I missed out on traveling to places while there due to the circumstances and more time would have allowed me to explore more of the land. What I did not miss out on, however, was creating lifelong friendships with amazing people. This opportunity has taught me that one never knows what tomorrow brings so make the most out of each and every day. It also taught me to keep close what and who are important to you. So I believe that these people, who I was lucky enough to meet and create friendships with, are going to be in my life forever because I do not want to lose them. XOXO- Tori
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May 2020
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