My hands trembled on the bus as it took a u-turn to drop me off at the Welcome Center on my first day of freshman year. Although I had seen NYU Abu Dhabi during Candidate Weekend, it seemed strange and distant. I entered my assigned room to find a stranger unpacking her bags on the floor. She rushed to welcome me and proceeded to ask questions about my life, my family and my culture for the entire night. For the first few days, nothing made sense. The meal swipe process was too difficult, I confused D2 with A2 and walked slowly down the Campus Center staircases because I was scared of falling in between the gaps. Every night, when I felt like I had no one, my roommate was there, but there were still so many barriers between us.

For the first four months, our interactions were limited to “how was your day?,” “can you please turn off the light?” and “we should clean the room.” But one night, I came back with a bag of Hot Cheetos and peanut butter M&Ms. I had no idea these snacks would change everything.

The Class of 2021 has witnessed many changes at NYUAD. Even though our class can be celebrated for various successes, including scholarships, prestigious jobs and outstanding capstones, I think our biggest success is in the friendships formed that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on the past four years, I am constantly in awe of the outstanding women in the Class of 2021 and speechless at their ability to support one another.

Although there are numerous beautiful friendships in our class, here is an exploration of three female friendships that started in freshman year and have grown stronger ever since.

“I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with my randomly assigned freshman year roommate, Anushka Upadhyay,” said Maira Sheikh, Class of 2021. “Our very first interaction was me coming out of my room and her laughing so loudly because she locked herself out. Four years later, we remember this moment so clearly because it was so special and precious. We were absolute strangers and still managed to laugh together until we could no longer breathe,” Sheikh recalled fondly.

Photo Courtesy of Maira Sheikh

Sheikh and Upadhyay have remained suitemates and best friends since freshman year. Despite the challenges that come with studying away and most recently, Covid-19, they have seen each other every single semester over the past four years. “I never thought I’d have someone so close to me and be so integral to my experience at NYUAD,” added Sheikh. “She’s been there for me from Marhaba till now; during all hardships, the academic challenges, the personal problems. She never failed me.”

Photo Courtesy of Maira Sheikh

Sheikh and Upadhyay reflected on how success is sometimes perceived in very narrow ways at NYUAD. “Our friendship is a reflection of how growth can take multiple forms. When I’m low and feel like I don’t have a job or grad school acceptance, Anushka is there to remind me how much I’ve grown and to recall the success I often overlook when I’m feeling down,” Sheikh said. “Our experience here together helped us evolve and grow. To me, that’s a success story I am proud to have.”

“I met Cece in the dining hall in freshman year. Her nail art was stunning and I wanted to tell her how much I loved them,” explained Shishani. “In freshman fall, we were good friends. Then, she invited me to go to her home country, Taiwan, during Christmas break. This changed everything — I started loving spicy food because of her mom’s amazing cooking, but I also realized that I had met my best friend. We connected on a different level.” Shishani and Kim’s friendship has evolved over the past few years and strengthened when they were roommates during their semester at NYU New York.

Photo Courtesy of Anita Shishani

“We were in New York, and we were only midway through the semester. The sudden flourish of Covid-19 in New York, now described as the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S., altered our plans. We struggled to pack between various breakdowns. We oscillated between inconsolable and optimistic. One moment we saw it as a challenge, then a worthy experience, then a tragedy,” Shishani recounted. The duo dreamt of spending their semester together in New York ever since they were freshmen. Even though Covid-19 destroyed their plans, it highlighted the strength of their friendship.

Photo Courtesy of Anita Shishani

“The two constants before leaving were humor and support; Cece and I took turns being the strong one. We’d had so many conversations between those two beds. We had shared and analyzed our classes, dates, relationships, friendships, J-term catch ups and spring break plans. We had talked about our fears and hopes for the semester and our goals,” Shishani shared. “Since freshman year, we’ve always spoken the same language. Whether it was over nail polish colors, future dreams or biggest fears, my conversations with Cece constantly left me grateful and empowered.”

“We watched a few episodes of Hannah Montana as we ate the Hot Cheetos and M&Ms that night. Even though we led two completely different lives, something made us forget our differences and be present in the moment. I remember talking to Aasna about how much I missed home. She didn't get me, at first, yet still had the right things to say regardless. Despite our opposing personalities, different sleeping habits and incompatible lifestyles, by the end of freshman year, I could not imagine my life without her.

In the summer after freshman year, Aasna came to my home country, Egypt, and met my entire family and group of friends. It felt surreal to connect my life at NYUAD with my life at home, but it helped me think of the possibility of our friendship beyond NYUAD. As the years went by, she introduced me to momos and Bollywood dancing and I introduced her to eggs with pastrami for breakfast and Egyptian music. Even though we did not get to spend our last year together, every place on campus reminds me of how much I have grown through knowing her. A part of me will always remain with her in London, in Buenos Aires, in New York and in our tiny freshman year dorm.”

Photo Courtesy of Malak Abdel-Ghaffar

Although I am thankful for so many things at NYUAD, I am most grateful for the friendships I have built in this place. The most incredible thing about this university is that it makes friendships like these possible. I never thought I would go to Nepal, Romania or Sudan to meet my closest friends, but I’m blessed to have people I love in almost every corner around the world.

With only 21 days left until graduation, many of these friendships will soon look different because of distance. But if there’s anything I know for certain, it is that these friendships will always find their way back to each other despite the distance, the obstacles or the boundaries.

To the women of the Class of 2021, thank you for showing me the meaning of true friendship and belonging. I will forever owe my growth and empowerment to you.