Landing With Fear, Leaving With Friends
“What if I don’t make any friends?”
It’s a bit pessimistic, I know, but that was one of my very first thoughts as my flight landed on the picturesque runway of the Ljubljana airport, just next door to the small Austrian border town where a new phase of my life was about to begin. I can remember my first day in Austria like no other: the stunning mountain views, the fresh air, the bright blue river… the anxiety, the nervousness, the regret.
Although I had already been living away from home, this time felt different. I hadn’t spent much time in Austria, I didn’t know anyone in the program, and I certainly didn’t know any German. I spent much of those first days alone, wondering if I had made the right decision. Would I spend the next two years navigating this place alone?
To make matters worse, it was pouring rain during my first few days, and my new roommates hadn’t arrived either.
And yet… just a few days later, the sun came out, and I walked to campus for my very first day. Perhaps the weather was foreshadowing, because that sunny day led to what is now a blossoming group of friends.
How, you may ask?
Well, as I walked into my first class of the day, I found a solo seat, away from what I thought were already-formed groups that I had somehow missed out on (news flash: I hadn’t, but at the time I had already convinced myself otherwise). Minutes later, this friendly, smiling, larger-than-life German girl sat down and warmly said, “Hi! Is this seat taken?! I’m Corinna! I’m from Germany! What’s your name?! Where are you from?!”
I won’t lie… I was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm. But at that moment, all of my anxiety began to slip away, and the conversation began to flow.
Not long after, our little pair became a trio… then a quartet… and then whatever comes after that.
Savanna and her friends on a group trip to Thessaloniki Greece.
Fast forward a year and a half, and I now have this incredible group of friends. The kind of friends you can call spontaneously to go to a concert in another country, or who will drive over an hour just to drop you off at the airport. The kind that become the aunts and uncles of your future kids, even though you’re not related by blood. The kind that makes you reminisce about your university years so fondly.
Just recently, we said our goodbyes, not knowing exactly when we’ll see each other again. The whole group came together one last time…we had drinks, went bowling, made dinner, played card games, and laughed so incredibly hard. Technically, it was nothing exciting or special… and yet, it was everything. A simple weekend shared between people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
So this is all to say: if you’re worried about making friends abroad… don’t.
Because whether you’re like me (nervous and overthinking) or like Corinna (probably nervous too, but excited and extroverted), your people will find you. I’m absolutely sure of it.
And if you’re still not convinced, maybe you need to be the one to sit down and introduce yourself.
(So actually… don’t be like me.)
Written by Savanna Stubbs,
Student Trainee Advisor
Meet Savanna
“Skola is the support system that I never had. None of my family or friends had ever studied abroad, so I was on my own when navigating the process. I had so many questions to ask, and there wasn’t always someone with an answer.
Joining the Skola team has been a meaningful way to help other students have a smooth transition to their lives abroad.”
Savanna grew up in Canada and completed her bachelor’s in Tennessee, USA. In 2024, she began her master’s in Austria, and in 2025, she spent a semester in Italy. She is now transitioning to living in London in 2026.
