If you had told me five years ago that some of my closest friends would live thousands of miles away - in time zones that make scheduling a simple call an Olympic event - I probably would’ve laughed. Yet here I am, sipping my morning coffee while chatting with a friend in Tokyo who’s already getting ready for bed. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Having friends from different parts of the world has completely changed how I see life. It’s not just about collecting flags or learning how to say “cheers” in five languages (though that’s definitely a perk). It’s about connection - the kind that goes beyond borders, cultures, and even languages. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.
1. You See the World Through a Bigger Lens
Before I met my friends abroad, my world felt... local. My opinions, routines, even the way I celebrated holidays were all shaped by where I lived. Then I met people from places I had only read about - Spain, Kenya, South Korea, Brazil, and Sweden - and suddenly, my perspective widened.
Now, when something happens in another country, it’s not just “news.” It’s personal. I think about my friends - how it might affect them, what they think, what their side of the story is. It makes the world feel both smaller and more connected.
2. You Get a Taste (Literally) of Other Cultures
One of my favorite parts? Food, of course. My friend Lucia from Italy once taught me how to make real carbonara (and yelled at me through FaceTime when I almost added cream). I’ve learned to love Indian masala chai, Korean street food, and Brazilian brigadeiros - all thanks to people who were patient enough to share their traditions with me.
Cooking their recipes or trying their local snacks feels like traveling without leaving my kitchen.
3. You Learn to Communicate Beyond Words
Not everyone I talk to speaks English fluently - and that’s okay. We use emojis, photos, hand gestures, and a lot of laughter to fill in the gaps. I’ve realized that friendship doesn’t depend on perfect grammar. Sometimes, it’s as simple as understanding someone’s tone, or the way they say “I’m okay” when they’re not.
It’s taught me to listen differently - more with my heart than my ears.
4. You Grow More Open-Minded
When you talk to people who grew up with totally different traditions or beliefs, you start to question your own assumptions - in a good way. My friend Aisha in Egypt once told me about Ramadan and what fasting means to her, not just religiously but emotionally. Hearing her perspective made me rethink how I handle discipline and gratitude in my own life.
Every conversation adds a new color to how I see the world.
5. You Learn Patience (and Time Zones)
Honestly, coordinating group chats across three continents is a math challenge. Someone’s always asleep, someone’s at work, someone’s eating dinner. But that’s the beauty of it - you learn patience and flexibility. You start appreciating the effort it takes to stay connected.
Sometimes, those little “good morning” and “good night” messages mean more than long conversations.
6. You Always Have a Place to Go (and a Couch to Crash On)
Okay, maybe this is the most fun perk - you suddenly have friends in cities you’ve always wanted to visit. When I finally met one of my online friends in person during a trip to London, it felt like reuniting with an old friend, not meeting a stranger.
It’s comforting to know that wherever I go, there’s a friendly face waiting somewhere in the world.
Having friends from all around the world has made my life richer, louder, and definitely more colorful. It’s taught me that kindness sounds the same in every language, and that connection doesn’t need proximity - just genuine effort.
So if you ever get the chance to talk to someone from a completely different corner of the world, do it. You might just find a friend who changes how you see everything.
Have you made any long-distance friends? I’d love to hear your experiences - drop a comment below!
