In Episode 4 of Between Worlds, Ronnie, Esther, and our first guest Michelle talk about how different environments shape our friendships. From high school where social circle is small, to big university campuses, to the graduate school at USC, we explore how different social circles affect the way we meet people and build connections.

We also discuss the loneliness of starting over, the fear of losing friendship, and the pressure to perform socially. In the end, we share a survival kit: protect your real self, find your own way into friendship, communicate before silence grows, and remember that being alone does not mean you have failed.

Keywords: international students, friendship, loneliness, belonging