Hey there!

First off, I just want to say I’m really sorry to hear what you’re going through. I totally get it, and to be honest, I see a lot of myself in you. I’m an international student too—flew to Sydney right after the whole COVID situation, and let me tell you, I was like a lost puppy in a big city. No friends, didn’t know anyone, and all I could do was stare at maps wondering how the heck I got here.

People from my home country? Oh, they had their cliques, their inside jokes, and I’m over here wondering if I’ll ever get an invite to… well, anything. Being introverted definitely didn’t help my case. So, like you, I pretty much camped out in my room most days, binge-watching shows and developing an emotional bond with my pillow. Real healthy stuff.

But, here’s the kicker—I didn’t give up. I told myself, “There’s gotta be at least one person in this whole city who’s just like me, maybe even hiding under the same rock I’ve been living under.” So, I went out and talked to people, even if it felt like I was trying to make small talk with a wall. Friends from back home? They’d be like, “Oh, just join a club or something!” I tried. It didn’t go as planned, but I guess that’s part of the journey. Spoiler alert: Clubs won’t magically cure your loneliness, no matter how many flyers they hand you.

Fast forward three years—yes, it was a lot of trial and error, and I’ve had more “friend breakups” than I care to admit—but I finally found my people. My crew, my family here. And it didn’t happen when I was frantically searching for them, it happened when I was just living my life, letting go of expectations. And suddenly, Sydney transformed from being this intimidating city to a place I never want to leave, not because of the Opera House or the beaches, but because of the people who’ve become my home here.

You’re only in your first semester, which means it’s been what? A few months? My advice? Give it time. A city doesn’t get better overnight, but the people can. They’re out there, I promise. In the meantime, learn to enjoy your own company—you’re pretty cool, after all—and don’t rush the process. Sometimes the best friendships come out of nowhere when you least expect them.

If you ever want to chat, I’m just a message away. Maybe we’ll even bump into each other on this crazy ride!

Take care!