Making friends at University: How I found my community

When I first arrived at Warwick as an international student from Dubai, I remember being nervously excited to see what my university life would look like. I was thousands of miles away from home, stepping into a completely new environment, and I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to make friends. Looking back now, in my final year, it feels heart-warming to see how many friendships I’ve made that I cherish so fondly. Some that have lasted since my very first week living on campus, and others that have formed later through modules, societies, and even my placement year.
 

Home away from home

Moving into Heronbank was where everything began. Everyone was in the same boat; a little shy at first, unsure how much to share, but eager to get to know one another. It didn’t take long to meet people from other flats as we’d keep running into each other around the first week, and soon enough, I’d formed my own little group. Between cooking every meal together, exploring campus, and booking out lecture rooms to watch movies, I realized there was comfort in knowing we were all figuring things out together. Campus began to feel like home, and it’s special to think it all started in our Heronbank kitchen.

More than just a module

Through my course, I started meeting people who shared similar academic interests. Seminars, especially, gave me the chance to actually talk to people compared to lectures where paying attention was my only priority. Working on group projects, discussing ideas, and helping each other before exams made bonding pretty easy, turning into conversations about any and everything. It’s funny how something as small as asking “What did you get for question 3?” would lead to grabbing a coffee after class, and a new friend for the term.

Beyond the events

Even though I loved the friends I’d already made, we didn’t always share the same niche interests. I decided to branch out, and I didn’t have to look far—there were endless societies I could join. It wasn’t just about showing up to events, it was about finding people who shared your interests and just clicked. Whether it was attending a “circle” or a sports session, each society had its own little community. Some of my closest second-year friends came entirely from these groups, and they made university feel even more exciting, giving me a chance to be myself.

Friend-working during placement year

My placement year was an amazing break where I was lucky enough to have colleagues who turned into lifelong friends. I also managed to bond with people from Warwick. One of my favourite coincidences was running into someone I’d worked with on a group project in second year, as his placement happened to be in the same city as mine. It felt like a small piece of university life had followed me, and it was great to see how everyone’s experiences differed yet still overlapped in familiar ways.

Reconnecting in final year

Coming back after my placement felt like a fresh start in some ways. While I’m lucky to still have some of my old friends here, I’ve also found myself reconnecting with people I recognised from first year, except now, we actually talk. It sounds obvious, but I’ve realised that making friends at university isn’t something that only happens in your first few weeks; it’s an ongoing process. People come and go, but there’s always room for new connections to form.

Finding your community at Warwick

University can feel big and scary at first, but over time, it starts to feel smaller. Not because the campus shrinks, but because it fills with familiar faces and genuine connections. And that is what has made my Warwick experience so special.