#TransferTalk Series🇮🇳🇺🇸✈️⭐

#TransferTalk Series | Episode 5 : Let’s talk about friendships, networking and the quiet art of finding your people in a brand-new place!

I’m a total yapper - I love talking to people, starting conversations out of nowhere, and making connections but being a transfer student in New York taught me that even for someone like me, building friendships can be surprisingly hard.

When you’re a freshman, you usually start with a built-in cohort. You know who’s in your program, you see the same faces at orientation, and there’s a natural rhythm to getting to know each other. As a transfer? Not so much. I arrived without knowing a single person in my classes, my program, or even my building. One of the mistakes I made was not connecting with transfers on LinkedIn. My first week was a blur since I went to every transfer student event, chatted with people in class, and even struck up conversations in random coffee shops. On paper, it looked like I was doing great. In reality? I felt so out of place. I met a lot of people, but the connections were surface-level, and by the end of that week, my social battery was completely drained.

That first month was extremely lonely. I missed the familiarity of home - those 5–10 faces I’d see every day in Mumbai, the ones that made everything feel so easy and comfortable. In New York, everything felt exhausting. Then, things slowly began to shift. Through a mutual acquaintance, I met someone I instantly clicked with. We started exploring the city together and texting daily, and for the first time since I’d arrived, I felt a little less like an outsider.

Not long after, I met another friend who I vibed with so naturally that we ended up going Black Friday shopping together. Even though she was a freshman, we connected instantly. We explored the city, tried all the famous eateries like Gnocchi on 9th, spent few hours just hanging out when we could, and even dipped our toes into NYC’s party scene. It felt good to have someone to share those experiences with someone who made the city feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more fun.

One unexpected turning point was when I joined my lab. Suddenly, I was surrounded by people from all over - some from the UK, some born and raised in New York State itself. We’d share stories about our backgrounds, talk about everything from research to food, and laugh in between tasks. The lab became an escape for me - a place where the faces were familiar, warm, and genuinely happy to see me. Even my suite mate - she was incredibly kind and welcoming. We’d often spend time together in the kitchen, cooking completely different meals but sitting down to eat together anyway. Those shared moments, filled with conversation and laughter, made a big difference. She even included me in her plans with her friends, introducing me to new people and helping me feel more at home in a new city.

By my spring semester, things felt different. I ended up making two close friends because the three of us had about 90% of the same classes. We’d sit together every day, help each other survive research and stats assignments, and swap stories about our cultures. Those friendships became the heart of my semester, and they reminded me that connection can’t be rushed - it takes time, patience, and a little bit of luck.

One thing I’ve learned is that networking doesn’t have to mean knowing everyone in the room. Sometimes, even 2–3 genuine connections can take you places whether it’s someone recommending you for a role, sharing an opportunity, or introducing you to the right people often without you even realizing it in the moment.

Things I Would Want to Tell You as an International Student in a New City:

💌 Nobody may tell you this, but making friends in a new country, a new city, is not easy and that’s okay. Some days will feel lonelier than others.

💌 At the end of the day, it’s you who’s truly there for yourself. Learn to be your own support system before expecting it from others.

💌 Find your cohort early. Even one or two people from your program can make those first weeks feel less overwhelming. So connect on LinkedIn, find people and start conversations!

💌 Connect on LinkedIn. It’s more than a career tool, it helps you keep in touch and grow your network.

💌 Choose your company wisely. Surround yourself with ambitious people who inspire you, not those who drain you.

💌 Say yes to experiences! Coffee dates, ice cream meet-ups, and random walks can lead to real friendships.

💌 Focus on quality, not quantity! A few meaningful connections beat dozens of acquaintances. For me, talking regularly with my lab manager not only gave me great mentorship but also led to a referral for my upcoming fieldwork semester.

So GO TALK, CONNECT, and don’t ever feel judged. Be yourself and explore as much as you can because you never know what doors may open for you!

💌 Next on #TransferTalk | Episode 6: From Overwhelm to Ownership: How I Learned to Manage My Time, Coursework, and Life in NYC Without Losing My Mind. Till then, if you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to reach out — and if there’s any topic you want me to speak on, do share and let me know.

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