Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the meaning of friendship, and I’ve come to define a true friend as someone you can call at any time and who always has your back. This perfectly describes the friends I made during the MQM program at Fuqua. My time at Duke was life-changing in more ways than one, and while the experience was incredible, I’m most grateful for the friendships I developed along the way.

As an international student, I was initially concerned about finding friends or a sense of community. But a few months into the program, I met my friends — Erica, Ruth, and Sidney — and we quickly became close. Having these friendships made it easier to navigate the intensity of the program. Although we didn’t study together due to different schedules and study habits, we always supported one another through the toughest moments.

Hosting Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving is a major holiday in the U.S., but it can feel isolating for international students without family nearby. My friends and I decided to host a Friendsgiving dinner at our apartment, cooking up a mix of Indian and Nigerian dishes and inviting friends from Fuqua and other Duke programs. Friendsgiving became one of my favorite memories, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and celebrating community. It was particularly meaningful to me because I had written about the idea of Friendsgiving in my application essays — it was amazing to see it come to life.

Traveling With Friends

My first trip with friends was over Christmas break when we visited Atlanta. We explored tourist spots, immersed ourselves in the local culture, visited the Coca-Cola Museum, the aquarium, and the Garden of Lights, and enjoyed various restaurants. We also took a memorable trip to Washington, D.C., where we attended a Nigerian wedding and visited key attractions while learning about U.S. history on a bus tour. Another unforgettable experience was a trip to Chicago, where we went on a boat tour of the Chicago River and learned about the city’s iconic architecture.

Friendship Beyond Fuqua

Even after leaving Fuqua, staying connected with the friends I made has been important. Whenever friends or classmates visit my city, I always encourage them to reach out so we can catch up over dinner. I have had the pleasure of catching up with some of my best friends — Changhyeon, Mokshit, Pranay & Krystyna during their visit.

Tips for Making Friends at Fuqua

Here are my top four tips for building friendships at Fuqua:

• Say hi and follow up: Saying hi to a random person might seem daunting at first but it’s easier once you get the courage to say hi. Remember, everyone else is looking for friends as well, so everyone else is nervous. Once you have a first chat with someone, find similar interests, or show interest in learning about their interests. Follow up with a coffee chat as well.
  
• Attend Fuqua Friday: Fuqua Friday is the perfect place to connect with other members of the Fuqua community — MBAs, PhDs, and even alumni. It’s very tempting to stick around only people you know during Fuqua Fridays but having the courage to talk to someone new every Friday always pays off.
  
• Explore the greater Duke community: There are so many things to do on Duke’s campus. While it is very easy to stay within the Fuqua bubble, it’s important to explore Duke’s resources. For example, my friend Erica once attended a pottery class. There are also a ton of volunteering events on campus which are perfect for meeting friends.
  
• Be authentic: It may be tempting to try to be someone else to fit in. However, being authentically yourself has a way of attracting close friends. You are amazing and unique, let that show.

Don’t worry if you don’t find your close friends right away. Friendships will form naturally as time goes on.