Lessons from Across the World
November 6, 2022
Writer: Delaney Brown
Editor: Tabitha Dickinson
If you would have told me a year ago that I now have a best friend on another continent, would spend my entire senior year trying to master “rolling my r’s,” and could sing an Italian song from start to finish, I never would’ve believed you. But here I am, a year later, with countless memories, experiences, and life lessons gained from one unlikely friend. These are the life lessons my foreign exchange student and now best friend unknowingly taught me.
The most important approval is your own.
The first time we hung out together I took him to everyone’s favorite store — Target. He instantly ran to a shopping cart and hopped inside. He asked me to push him around, and the little voice in my head said “no way, people are going to think we’re crazy.” But then, I had another sudden thought — “he’s only a student in America once, I want him to live it to the fullest!” From that moment on, I started to apply the notion of “we only get to experience this life once, we have to live it to the fullest!” to my own life. I vowed to stop letting my anxieties steal potential memories from me. I pushed him around in that cart and we both loved every second of it.
Don’t shy away from the unfamiliar.
When I first met him, I was hesitant to talk to him. I’d never talked to anyone from another country and didn’t know how well he could speak English. It would have been easy for me to give into my fear of the unknown and not pursue a friendship with him, but making an effort to get to know each other’s cultures, histories, and hobbies ended up being the start of something great. He also introduced me to one of my new favorite foods — sushi! None of my friends or family had any interest in trying it, so I never had it and was nervous to try. He missed having it like he did often back in Italy, so I offered to take him so he could have a piece of home again. Thanks to him coaching me on how to use chopsticks, I’ve now brought other people to “our'' sushi spot. It became a special opportunity for us to spend time together. Those delicious bites of rice and soy sauce not only filled my belly, but also filled my heart with a feeling of gratitude so strong that I pushed past my hesitation and didn’t shy away from the unfamiliar.
Show up for the people you love.
It is such a gift to share love with someone you value. Taking time to nurture those bonds is important, even in small ways. On my birthday, he showed up to school with party hats. On his birthday, I bought him a cologne that reminded him of home. He would offer to buy my coffee when we went to Starbucks, and I would offer to take him for a drive when he felt overwhelmed and needed to get out of the house. Through our little acts of service, we cared and supported each other. You never know whose day you could make by even the smallest gesture.
You haven’t experienced all that you will love.
Think of your favorite artist, restaurant, or book. There was a time in your life that you didn’t even know such things existed, let alone that you liked them. I didn't know I’d love sushi, or Italian songs and food. He didn't know he’d love iced caramel macchiatos, Target, or laser tag. The idea that there is so much love left to discover is something that keeps me excited to live and motivated for tomorrow. Although thinking of the future can be a source of anxiety, it can actually be a beautiful thing that you don’t know what the future holds. You haven’t met all of the people or experienced everything you’ll one day love. You might not have met your bridesmaids, watched your future favorite movie, or visited your future favorite town yet. Live for the hope of discovering more and more to love.
