Strangers to besties: celebrating friendship stories from IU!
Happy Friendship Day! Did you know that the “International Day of Friendship” (yes, that is the official term) was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities? Here at IU, our diverse, vibrant, multicultural student community is 130,000 strong, with students from all over the world!
To celebrate this Friendship Day, we've got some heartwarming stories to share from our students at IU. Friendships on campus (and online!) aren't just about having fun – they also make the university experience a whole lot better. Let's dive into their stories:
“The relief and happiness of finally meeting in person was unforgettable.”
Mohammad joined IU in March 2023, and he had a great first impression. "The atmosphere was very friendly, and students were incredibly supportive," he says. What stood out for him was his first class. "I clearly recall that class where I befriended my current best friend. The students were super friendly and keen on the lessons. We bonded so well!"
He even created a WhatsApp group to assist his classmates, which now has over 260 members. "It’s our go-to place for answering questions and sharing IU-related info. It's great for building a supportive community," he shares.
Mohammad particularly remembers meeting Husain from Mumbai and Sita from Siliguri. "We were strangers at first, but solving classroom questions together led us to follow each other on social media. Our friendship kicked off from there," he explains. "Our group study sessions turned into just hanging out, and we not only exchanged knowledge but also life experiences."
One memory Mohammad cherishes is finally meeting his friends in Berlin after a phase of online classes. "We hadn’t spoken much for a week because of all the relocation formalities. When Sita drove near my apartment and got lost, she called me for help. I spent 10 minutes wandering around until we found each other. The relief and happiness of finally meeting in person was unforgettable."
Mohammad Musabhai Kureshi (M.A. International Management, Class of 2025)
“Who doesn’t love pizza?”
Agnes, who started at IU about three months ago, was delighted by the university's vibrant culture. "I didn’t expect it at all! During my first meet and network session, I got to know loads of people. The funny table names where we were seated just added to the fun," she shares.
Making friends came naturally to her. "Talking to people has always been my biggest interest, and it was super exciting meeting so many diverse individuals," recalls Agnes. The session helped everyone understand each other's different thoughts and cultural backgrounds better.
Talking about one of her favourite memories, Agnes says, "We were all fighting over the last piece of pizza towards the end of the networking event. Two of us reached for it simultaneously, and it turned into an outburst of laughter. What a wonderful way to end the session!"
- Agnes Diana Dsouza (Master Business Administration 90 ECTS, Class of 2025)
“The spontaneous joy of friendship.”
Anshul, who enrolled in November 2023, initially felt a mix of confidence and hesitation. "Given my career experience and extroverted nature, I was prepared but also unsure about connecting with a younger crowd at 32," he says.
His networking skills helped immensely. "Before coming to Germany, I created a WhatsApp group that now has around 350 students. Being a Campus Ambassador provided countless opportunities to help others with their queries, leading to amazing friendships," he explains.
Ankit Kaushik stands out among those friends. "Ankit was the first person I befriended while searching for accommodation. His experiences with delayed visas and deferrals were invaluable. We ended up being roommates for about 14-15 months. Our friendship grew even stronger over time."
Anshul treasures a memory from their trip to Belgium. "We were wandering the streets of Brussels at night, feeling a bit down. Then we stumbled upon a high-energy street performance that transformed our mood entirely. We threw our reservations aside and immersed ourselves in the moment. It was unforgettable – the spontaneous joy of our friendship!"
- Anshul Saxena (M.Sc. International Management and Applied Technology, Class of 2024)
Going through uni life together with friends is priceless – as you create precious memories to hold on to forever. Want to share the IU experience with a friend? You can, with our Bring a Friend Campaign.
Hear from Salman Abid, who successfully recommended Hasan Iqbal through Bring a Friend: “All I need to do is to generate a personalised link for the Bring a Friend programme. Then I can share the link to whomever I am referring. All Hasan had to do was click on my link and apply through it. It’s a very simple and straightforward process.” What’s more, you can earn up to 200€ per successful recommendation!
In the spirit of friendship, we’re conducting a raffle on our Bring a Friend campaign. Ask your friend to use the referral code FRIENDSHIPDAY when they apply with your personalized link, and you could win up to 500€ additional study money prizes! Apply before 31st August 2024 to take part in the raffle – and you just might spend the next chapter of your university life with your best friend (and some extra cash)!
Happy Friendship Day from all of us at IU! 🎉