Friendships are formed fast when you travel abroad. Whether or not that someone you are sharing a hostel dormitory with for the next week is someone you would befriend if you were in your home country doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you two are living in the same room for the next seven days (or however long) and neither of you want to be lonely on your trip so you create an instant friendship. You gallivant around the city together, doing all of the touristy things, eating all of the delicious food, and creating this memory that will stay with you forever.
When it’s time for you (or them) to leave, you realize that you are a lot more emotional about this goodbye than you thought you would be. Because you think about all of the insane amounts of fun you have had over a short period of time and you wonder why none of your other friendships are like that. Because you realize that that person has now earned a special place in your heart and has made your trip abroad better than you thought it would be. So, as you hug your friend goodbye, a tear escapes and you wonder if you’ll ever see that friend again.
Maybe you’re not supposed to see them again. Maybe this week-long friendship that you had was to show you the importance of connections. And yes, it’s sad to think about the fact that you may never see them again and that your ‘friendship’ from now on will only exist through occasional emails, tagged photos, and Facebook comments, but maybe that’s the Universe telling you that it’s okay to befriend someone for a short time for no other reason than the convenience of being in the same city, living in the same hostel. Maybe that’s the Universe telling you that it’s okay to have fleeting friendships because nothing is going to last forever and not everyone is going to stick by your side as you get older.
Because at the end of the day, you’re going to look back on all of those friendships, all of the experiences, and all of the adventures that you shared together and know that you wouldn’t trade it for anything else in this world.
The longer I stay, the harder it gets to say goodbye to the friends I’ve made in Australia.
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I’m starting to feel bummed about leaving the friends I’ve made abroad, too. I didn’t think I would have a hard time since I’m so excited about seeing my friends back in the States, but the closer my departure date gets, the more sad and nervous I become. I feel like I’ve changed a lot over the past year and might not have a lot in common with my friends back home anymore. I’m definitely going to miss having friends whom I can relate to once I’m home.
You’ll have to let me know if you experience “reverse culture shock.” Everyone I know who has lived overseas for a significant amount of time (1 year+) and then moves back to their home country and settle back into life again said that reverse culture shock hit them really hard. I’m kind of afraid to move back to the States juuuuust for this reason.
:’(
It is so true. Traveling makes you appreciate friendships for different things. I cherish the moments I made with friends while away from home.