We (Highlands IE students) started this semester as a group of near strangers. A few of us knew one another through classes or had mutual friends, but none of us had strong personal connections with any of the others. The first day we went on a field trip and that began to change. During the day, we hiked, biked, and chased butterflies together. At night, we bonded over bonfire stories and looked for bats. It was like a giant slumber party- but with strangers. As we were getting to know this new environment, we were also getting to know one another.
We returned to campus and established a new ‘normal’ together. Each girl has two roommates, and all seventeen of us share a kitchen and living room. My roommates and I bonded over decorating our room and midnight chats. The rest of us bonded by bumping into each other as we tried to cook, drawing in the communal sketch books, and many movie nights. We started going on hikes and outings about town, opting to hangout with one another when we didn't have to. Midnight conversations started following our movie nights, as did early morning gym trips. We also started passing the time with games like ultimate frisbee and soccer when the weather was too nice to be inside studying.
During Thanksgiving break, my friendship with some of the girls from Highlands got even deeper as I brought them home to meet my family. I showed them around my hometown, they helped cook family dinner, babysat my nephew with me, and played ping pong and darts with my parents and uncle. Having them there was an amazing experience because it felt like two families merging.
After the break, I was sad to leave home, but excited to head back to Highlands. Thanksgiving was over, meaning Christmas season was here!!! One night after break, we all got hot chocolate and went to our living room to decorate a small Christmas tree. After decorating, we watched a classic Christmas movie: Home Alone. A few nights later we all went back to the living room to talk, dance in front of the (projected) fireplace, and draw names for Secret Santa! More recently, we went ice skating and it felt like a family outing; half of us were trying to learn to skate, and the other half were trying to learn cool tricks.
I am excited to finish out the semester with these people I’ve grown so close to. While we work on our final presentations, we will take breaks to look at Christmas lights, make Christmas presents, and just hangout. Before our final presentations we will give our Secret Santa gifts, and after we plan to have a final Highlands family meal. While it will not be the same once we leave, these friendships will likely be ones that last, and I am excited to have new experiences with everyone when we are back in Chapel Hill.
-Nikita McClure