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I chose starting new relationships because that was a source of apprehension for me back at home as I prepared for my trip. I was used to having my phones ring a minimum of 7/8 times a day, besides receiving several text messages. I enjoyed the thrill of being a 'local champion', and knowing that i featured prominently in the thoughts of others; my students and their parents, former teachers, former classmates, family friends, personal friends, neighbors. So i was afraid of becoming insignificant, of losing my foothold. I knew that I would have to play an active role in cultivating and maintaining new relationships. Therefore, the very Sunday I arrived here I got in touch with the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. They welcomed me with open arms and helped me move into my dorm. I also warmed up to some fellow students during international student orientation week, always smiling and striking up conversations with them on common interests. As a result, I made some good friends that I still hang out with till date. Moreover, my roommate and I made sacrifices to accommodate each other and we are the best of friends. Besides, the motherly support of my dean and the salient advice from my peer mentor helped in my adaptation. I have a huge host family, whose members check up on me weekly and I am happy.