How to Make Friends in Our Global School
Author: Andréia Ribeiro – Account Manager, Brazil
“Andreia Ribeiro is an Account Manager who builds meaningful partnerships with schools across Brazil and connects their students to our vibrant international learning community. With over a decade of experience in global education, she is passionate about expanding access to cross-cultural opportunities and helping young people thrive in a diverse, interconnected world.”
A Friendly Guide for the Bold, the Curious, and the Slightly Nervous
Stepping into a global school is unlike any other experience. Whether you log into class from your bedroom, join a virtual club from a different time zone, or walk through a campus where ten languages echo in the same hallway, you are part of a living mosaic of cultures. It is exciting and eye-opening, and at the same time, it can feel like a lot to take in.
If you have ever wondered how to build real friendships in a community this diverse and this spread out across the world, breathe. You are not alone, and the great news is that you are in one of the best environments to do exactly that.
Making friends in an intercultural school is not about being the loudest, the most confident, or the most outgoing. It is about small acts of openness, curiosity, and willingness to explore the world through someone else’s point of view. In a global community, every conversation is an opportunity, and every student you meet carries a story unlike anyone else’s.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that students who actively engage in intercultural conversations—even just a few times a week—report 30% higher levels of belonging and confidence compared to those who stick to familiar circles. Every question you ask and every new person you meet truly makes a difference.
Curiosity as Your Travel Companion
Confidence is overrated. Curiosity is powerful.
A curious person asks questions that show genuine interest. That interest becomes connection. Whether you are sitting next to someone in class or chatting on a virtual platform, curiosity works the same way. Notice something interesting someone mentioned about their country, their hobbies, or their holiday traditions. Ask about it. People remember when someone truly listens.
Curiosity dissolves distance, including digital distance.
Building Bridges Through Hudson Global Scholars’ Community Spaces
One of the greatest advantages you have as part of Hudson Global Scholars is that your school exists everywhere you are. Even if you study remotely, you are surrounded by a global network of classmates, mentors, and young people who share your sense of adventure.
HGS offers student community, clubs, cultural exchanges, and live events designed to help you meet your peers in ways that feel natural and comfortable. If you have not explored these spaces yet, take a moment to visit the HGS Community website. You will find students who play the same games you enjoy, who celebrate traditions you may have never heard or for always wished to be a part of, and who can introduce you to perspectives that expand your understanding of the world far beyond textbooks.
These spaces are not just for academic support. They are places where friendships begin organically. A single comment on a post or a short introduction during a virtual event can lead to meaningful connections that grow across countries and even continents.
Embracing Differences While Discovering What You Share
In a global environment, the differences between students are obvious at first glance. Cultures, accents, beliefs, humor, and lifestyles all mix together. Instead of seeing these differences as obstacles, try approaching them as invitations. Behind every unfamiliar detail lies something fascinating waiting to be learned.
At the same time, look for the spark of similarity. It might be a shared love for a certain sport, a favorite movie, a type of music, or even the same anxiety before a big test. Friendships often begin when you recognize pieces of yourself in someone else, even someone who seems completely different from you at first.
Participation: The True Secret Ingredient
Friendships, whether online or in person, rarely appear out of nowhere. They grow through participation. That may look like joining a lunch table, turning your camera on during a group project, attending a virtual live event, accepting an invitation to join a club, or simply replying to someone in the community chat.
Most people wait for someone else to make the first move. When you choose to participate, you become that “someone.” Suddenly, the room feels warmer and the group becomes more open simply because you chose to say yes.
Bringing Your True Self to the Surface
In international communities, everyone is adjusting. Everyone wonders if they are saying the right thing, if their accent sounds strange, or if they fit in. Showing who you truly are does not make you stand out negatively; it makes you easier to relate to.
Share your interests, your humor, the music you love, the traditions from your home country, and even the things you find challenging. Authenticity is magnetic. It gives people permission to be authentic too, and that is where strong relationships grow.
Remembering That You Are Not the Only One with Doubts
Every confident student you see has moments of insecurity. Every outgoing student has fears they hide. Every quiet student wishes for connection just as much as you do. When you keep this in mind, it becomes easier to approach others with kindness and patience, including yourself.
You belong here just as much as anyone else. The community around you is full of students who want to connect, collaborate, learn, laugh, and feel understood.
A Small Challenge for You to Try This Week
To help you turn these ideas into action, here are four simple but powerful steps you can put into practice right away:
1. Engage at least once in the HGS Community spaces.
Comment on a post, ask a question, join a discussion, or introduce yourself in the group chat. Every interaction plants a seed. (you can register for the group chats here, if you haven’t already)
2. Start one conversation with someone new, whether online or in person.
A small question, a compliment, or a shared observation can spark something bigger.
3. Say yes to one new activity or event.
Pick something slightly outside your comfort zone. One new experience can introduce you to people who become part of your story.
4. Participate in the HGS Global Connections Week activities from 24 to 28 November.
This special week is all about celebrating community spirit with live sessions, photo submissions, daily themes, and opportunities to engage from anywhere in the world. Whether you submit something, read the daily article, or join a live event, each action connects you with classmates across countries and cultures.
Your global school is more than a place to learn. It is a place to grow, to connect, to understand the world, and to let the world understand you.
Go ahead. Take a step. Your next friend might be one message, one encouraging word, or one click away.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.