Week 5: My First San Diego Hiking and Making Friends
Week 5 was the hardest week for me because it marked the day my father left to go back to Egypt. Up until that point, I never felt alone or homesick because my dad was always with me. But things were about to change. On the morning of his departure, everything seemed fine until we drove to the airport. After hugging him goodbye, I returned home, closed the door, and suddenly found myself alone in a new country, thousands of miles away from my family.
A wave of emotions hit me—fear, loneliness, and anxiety. But did I sit in the basement crying? Absolutely not! I made a plan to go out and make as many friends and connections as I could. My journey began with an app called Meetup. This app is fantastic for finding all kinds of events where people gather to make friends and connections. While browsing, I found a hiking event in a beautiful area called Point Loma. Despite some hesitation, I registered for the San Diego hiking and making friends event.
The day of the San Diego hiking and making friends event finally arrived, and it was the weekend. I sat in my car for a few minutes, debating whether to go, until I thought, “Screw it, you only live once!” I started driving to the San Diego hiking event, feeling both nervous and excited. When I arrived, I saw a big group of people standing together—this had to be the meetup. I joined them, and there were about 20 people, all of whom welcomed me warmly.
The organizer then asked each of us a question: “If you could go back 10 years, what would you change?” I was the youngest in the group at 24; the closest in age was 28, with others in their thirties and forties. As each person answered with deep, thoughtful responses, I felt a bit out of place. But when it was my turn, I simply said, “10 years ago, I was 14, so if I could go back, I’d drink more milk and study more!” Everyone burst into laughter, breaking the serious atmosphere and lightening the mood.
After that, a person named Jake started talking to me, and soon Brent and Cara joined in. We walked along the mountain trail next to the beach, and the view was breathtaking. The four of us had the best time—laughing, talking, and enjoying each other’s company. By the end of the meetup, we exchanged numbers, formed a chat group, and became best friends. It’s amazing to have American friends, even though I’m not American. All four of us shared something in common: moving to a new area. They had all moved to San Diego from other states, which helped us relate to each other even more.
By the end of the day, the loneliness and boredom I felt had disappeared, replaced by the comfort of having friends who care about me, and I care about them. That’s what I love about California and San Diego—unlike other states that are too hot and humid in the summer, San Diego’s weather is always pleasant. It makes going out and making connections much easier than in other places.
My experience with San Diego hiking and making friends has shown me how impactful stepping out and engaging with the community can be. If you’re interested in starting your own California adventure with Q International School, the premier San Diego English School, don’t hesitate to get a quote. Stay tuned for more updates on my adventures and the lessons I learn along the way!
