As the semester is slowly coming to an end and we are all thinking about how sad it will be to leave our new friends, I started thinking, how will the distance change us?
Indeed, all us international students here in ZU are missing some friends at home and have dealt already with leaving them, maybe more than once for those who study outside their hometowns, but for some us it's a new experience, leaving friends behind you saw almost everyday. Some have probably stayed in contact with skype or facetime or a telephone call here or their. Some have been message addicts or are in a constant exchange of snaps. I, however, don't often message my friends back home. Many of them are starting to get annoyed with the fact even. Sorry guys.
It has opened my eyes a lot this whole experience, it has taught me to appreciate people more, and what we have in the moment, to make the most of every memory we make with someone and to hold on to them for as long as possible. That we don't need to look for questions, but just enjoy each other, wherever life ends up taking us.
I was sitting at the bus station today waiting for a friend and witnessed a pretty awesome reunion of what I assume were old buddies, old as in long time but also as in 90 year old woman. Two ladies were talking away in German, of which I understood maybe one sixteenth of what they were saying until suddenly their words weren't mattering. They were screaming at the sight of their old friend who hopped, slowly walked more like, off a bus into their awaiting arms. It was cute. They were all so happy. I can only hope I feel the same way when I'm their age and meeting up with friends that I have met along my journey through life. I believe what they say, studying abroad allows you to make life-long friends. They might not be life-long but indeed right now, they are very special to me.
Does distance make the heart grow fonder? Of that I'm not sure but I do believe that it doesn't matter how long it takes or how far apart you are, if there is someone special, it will always be significant.
A friend of mine told me when I left Spain she wished we never had to return anywhere, she recently moved away from home, family, friends, boyfriend and stated it very clearly; if there is anything better than returning home after leaving, it is having someone give you a reason to come back. I can relate. So many people here in Germany have given me a reason to return, not to the place but to wherever they are. You can meet some pretty amazing people out there if you give yourself and them a chance.
As I slowly come to grips with the idea of leaving what has been my new home for the last three months, I'm realising how much I will miss so many people here. It really isn't about the places you go, but completely about the people you meet.
To you, my international friends.
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