How Studying Abroad Reconnected Me with Friends from My Past

By: Aiden Lo

During this study abroad, I reconnected with four people who I haven’t met in five years. All of them were from a summer camp in Toledo.

I met Will in Linz, Austria, where he works as a software engineer for Aldi. He studies at Georgia Tech, but somehow, we’ve never crossed paths in the States. Together with his colleagues, we spent a day hiking the Leonsburg in Bad Ischl. The trail was covered in bright orange, red, purple, and green leaves. It was the best hike I’ve been on.

I met Magda in Salzburg, Austria. She’s Polish and currently studying abroad. We caught up on each other’s current academic pursuits, clubs we are involved in, and where we are in life. I had a brief crush on her during camp, as she was my duet partner when I played guitar. She wished me well on all things in life.

In Milan, Italy, I met Pietro. He’s Italian and plans to spend his life taking care of his family’s vineyard. We explored Lake Como, listened to UK drill, and talked about everything from the Italian mafia to what he wants in life.

Finally, I met Carla in Madrid, Spain. She’s never left her hometown and is perfectly happy with that. She’s finishing a degree in graphic design but wants to switch to studying art history. She doesn’t understand the American obsession with pre-professionalism and thinks people should pursue what makes them happy at any age.

Without studying abroad, I would have never reconnected with these people. Through this program, I’ve been able to immerse myself in so many cultures, and beyond that, their stories that are still being written. I have the privilege to ask them about how they see the world and where they see themselves heading. I have the privilege to break out of the bubble that is Duke and experience how people my age choose to pursue their interests and spend time with their families. Beyond the CIEE day trips, business classes, and new friends, this is what I’m most grateful for.

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