International Day of Friendship is an United Nations observance that celebrates the power of friendship. Today we celebrate the international student friendships that form at CATS Cambridge.
Our students and alumni frequently tell us that their favourite memories involve the international friendships they made during their studies. Having friends to share the challenges and fun of the studying abroad helps to make the study abroad experience more enjoyable.
“My favourite memory? I think coming back the second year and seeing all my friends. I didn’t realise how much I missed them and missed the school. So that was lovely – it felt like home kind of. “
Nour, Greek/Egyptian
Nour studied A Levels and graduated in June 2024.
“I really like studying in the UK. The CATS community is very diverse, we meet people from all places. I have a friend from Indonesia, but also from America, from Europe.”
Gabriel, French
Gabriel studied A Levels and graduated in June 2024.
Common worries for international students include language barriers, homesickness and culture shock. A top anxiety for many international students is not making new friends and being lonely in their new school or university.
There are many tips for making new friends as an international student. From joining clubs and societies, attending activities and using the common areas, there are lots of ways to look for and find new friends. What is really reassuring is that international student friendships are often strong, sometimes life-long friendships made through shared experiences in the new environment.
CATS Cambridge Alumni, Deinso, recently told us:
“I met my best friends here at Cambridge. We are everywhere now. I’m in the UK, one of them is in Canada and then the other is in the US. But it was beautiful the community we created.”
International student friendships, like all friendships, are rooted in shared experiences and interests. CATS Cambridge offers a huge range of extra-curricular activities from the extremely popular Book Club and Board Game Club to Football and AI Club. Our activities offering is diverse enough that most students will be able to continue to pursue a passion or find a new one.
2024 graduates, Sa’ad and Arslan, founded the CATS Cambridge Debate Club during their studies. A shared passion for international politics, current affairs and debating lead them to establish the club, pursuing their shared interest and introducing debate to their friends and peers.
International student friendships are often multinational on our internationally diverse campus. Friendship groups can end up representing multiple countries, even continents as students find their friends.
“The fact this is an international school means socialising is a common fact. You have to speak with a lot of people and find friends from all over the world.”
Danylo, Ukraine, Current A Level Student
The United Nations believes friendship, especially international friendships, can help build a better world.
At CATS Cambridge, we believe that international student friendships improve the educational opportunities offered on campus. Our students are happy and connected, making memories outside the classroom that enrich their international study experience. The friendships formed here contribute to the inclusive, welcoming community and they can last a lifetime.
Excellence in the Heart of Cambridge
outside the classroom
