u/Shield_Date

The older I get, the more I realize how valuable childhood, school, and college friendships really are.

When you're young, you usually become friends with people simply because you enjoy being around each other. There’s no networking, money, status, career, or hidden benefit involved. You just connect, have fun, grow up together, and share experiences.

Those friendships are often incredibly genuine.

As you get older, it seems much harder to build that same kind of connection. A lot of adult friendships naturally form around work, business, hobbies, convenience, or similar interests. That doesn't make them fake, but they can feel different.

That's why I think people should really protect the genuine friendships they make when they're young. Even if life takes you in different directions, staying in touch and making an effort can be incredibly valuable.

Maybe you don't fully appreciate those friendships when you're 18 or 20. But years later, you might realize they were some of the most genuine relationships you ever had.

What do you think — are childhood/college friendships more genuine, or can you build equally deep friendships later in life?

I was 21 when I went to Athens in 2014 for an Erasmus exchange, and honestly, I had no idea how much that one year would impact me later in life.

Looking back, it wasn't just about studying abroad. It was the first time I really stepped outside of my comfort zone and had to figure things out on my own. New country, new people, new language, new culture, and basically a completely different environment from what I was used to.

Athens was an incredible place to experience that. The people, the nightlife, the food, the beaches, the traveling, and especially the international group of friends I met made that year unforgettable.

But I think the biggest thing Erasmus gave me was confidence. It kind of unfroze my character. I became much more open, social, independent, and willing to take risks. I stopped overthinking everything and became more comfortable talking to strangers, meeting new people and putting myself in unfamiliar situations.

I didn't realize it at the time, but those changes followed me into my career. Being able to communicate with different types of people, adapt quickly, take initiative and be comfortable outside my comfort zone ended up being incredibly valuable professionally.

Now I'm 35, and it's crazy to think that a year I spent in Athens more than a decade ago still influences the person I am today.

If you're currently doing Erasmus, enjoy it. Take the trips. Meet random people. Say yes to things you normally wouldn't. Don't spend too much time worrying about the future.

You might not realize it now, but that year could stay with you for the rest of your life. GR❤️