We know going abroad alone can be extremely nerve-racking. It leaves so many unknown, and one we hear about year or after year is the fear of not getting along with your roommate. Lia Elisar, a 3rd year at the University of Tennessee, and Heidi Schoeller, a 3rd year and the University of Mississippi, were matched by our team as roommates on our LEAD Cape Town program this summer and have become inseparable ever since.
First impressions are huge, especially when meeting the person you’ll now share a room with after being total strangers. Lia shared how meeting Heidi relived much of her anxiety, realizing so much of it stemmed from overthinking it all! “After meeting for the first time in the airport, I honestly felt a sense of peace because of how quickly Heidi and I clicked. Going into the trip not knowing anyone, was nerve racking, but the connection between us was an impression that I knew would last not only through the month in Cape Town but long after as well.” Heidi felt the exact same saying, “she was the exact person that I hoped I would meet studying abroad”. These two are truly a match made in heaven and were able to build their friendship and connection past just being roommates!
Lia and Heidi felt even more at peace after realizing how similar they truly are! Not only did their personalities align, but Heidi said their shared passions made all the difference. “I was surprised with how comfortable I felt living with her. I think a big part of this is due to how aligned our passions and values are. From health and fitness, to adventurous attitudes…Just about every aspect of our routines lined up!”
Being able to experience moments as incredible as they have with a new friend and support system is part of what makes study abroad so special. These girls were able to not only support each other in the transition to life abroad, but also got to create memories alongside each other that will last a lifetime, some of which Lia said were the best parts of the program. “I will forever remember the boat ride over to go shark cage diving. These huge birds swarmed over our heads and around the boat and as I looked over at Heidi we bursted out into laughter that we felt throughout our entire body.”
Lia and Heidi were able to create memories that last a lifetime, and a friendship that will last past their time abroad. These girls couldn’t get enough of each other, so much so that Heidi highlighted how they wanted to spend even more time together after leaving Cape Town! “After knowing each other for only 48 hours, Lia managed to change her seat for our flight back home to be right next to mine. A week into being in Cape Town we were already planning our potential visits to each others schools during football season. I knew within a couple conversations that Lia and I would be friends long after our journey in CPT ended!”
LeadAbroad is here to support all of our students, ensuring they have the best time possible whether it be with people they know or after coming on a program alone to meet new people! Thank you Lia and Heidi for trusting us to give the best study abroad experience possible. We are so glad you were able to build a bond as special as the one you have, and cannot wait to watch it thrive past your program!
If you want to find the friends of a lifetime like Lia and Heidi did, be sure to join our 2025 interest list below. We hope to see you soon, future travelers!
Comments