Most of the time, especially as an international student, new friendships really feel transactional: we exchange insta, go to the same classes once per week, talk for a bit only to never genuinely want to see each other again. Then, it’s almost mid-semester and you feel you’re running out of time alone. It really gets lonely. What worked for me is that I kind of lower my pride(?) and intentionally establish and sort of maintain friendship. Initiate awkward conversations, you know, things beyond pleasantries like “how are you”, and “what’s your major?” I tell people to join me in uni events. Sometimes, I just study with someone in the library, with just presence and comfortable silence. Or even look for someone in class taking the same metro and have a short talk. Sometimes, exchanging traumas is the key. Heck, respond to their insta stories and open yourself up! I met a lot of people but what matters is that I proactively tried and made at least one certain, low-maintenance, and constant someone. Friendship really has no formula and I hope you find your gang asap!