Big trips and meetings
Hi. So i’ve struggled with social anxiety (gonna just call it SA) for years now. it really started picking up and being more obvious my late high school/early college years. I remember my freshman year (especially first semester) of college as one of the worst experiences with SA ever because so much emphasis is put on making friends, joining clubs, etc. I’ve established myself in college now after 2 years, but there’s this one thing I’ve been dreading — studying abroad. this is required of everyone at my school. and I chose a 2 week trip with my major, which will happen next year. i’ve been dreading it so much because of SA. I don’t have any friends in my major, and the people i’m even a bit comfortable talking with are either graduating or not going. everyone going on the trip has to attend a few meetings leading up to the trip. so far there have been 2, one informational and one social. going to these events has made me realise that I am the only person going on this trip without at least a close acquaintance. I’ve tried so hard to be closer to these people, but it’s beyond exhausting with SA and with trying to kind of “break in” to already established friendships. I really don’t want to spend the entire 2 weeks abroad alone, but I really don’t know what to do anymore. and I know the closer the trip gets, the more panicky i’ll grow about it. anyone have a similar experience or some advice for what I should do these next semesters? any sort of way to become closer to people who already have friends?
Hi, @discreetcroissant, I would say relax, but I know how hard it can be when suffering from Social Anxieties and dreading to be alone. Traveling abroad can be a scary endeavor as well as exciting. I traveled with a group that I have not met before, except for a sibling (and that sibling barely talked to me). I was very uncomfortable and scared. I tried to talk to anyone sitting beside me so I got to know some of the people I traveled with, but not all of them. No, they didn't become close friends with me afterwards, lol, but it made my stay in that country more a little bit more comfortable. Aside from this, I learned a lot about the country by experiencing it!
I'm sorry if this doesn't help much, but I'm glad to be here with you.