Forming international friendships

Forming International Friendships with Your Classmates: The Pros and Cons in Online Education

In the 21st century, technology has fundamentally reshaped how students connect. The rise of online British schooling means forming international friendships is now the norm, not the exception. While this global connectivity brings unparalleled advantages, it also introduces specific challenges.

From our perspective, the formation of these international bonds, when managed within a structured and supportive environment like iBOS, offers a powerful cumulative effect on the well-being and academic success of students and society as a whole.

The Pros: Cultural and Cognitive Enrichment

The clear advantage of international friendships is the daily exposure to diverse people from various parts of the world. This leads directly to cultural and cognitive enrichment. Discovering new cultures and engaging with them compels students to become more open-minded and encourages them to view complex subjects from distinct angles and points of view.

This diverse perspective is invaluable—it not only aids in solving complex homework and coursework but also develops sharp critical thinking skills and provides a comprehensive view of consistently faced global problems.

Furthermore, online environments often accelerate the process of forming bonds. For many, particularly younger students, there is a facility and comfort in sharing information online, especially via text, without the immediate pressure of face-to-face social cues. This reduced pressure can shorten the traditional acquaintance period, allowing students to learn about one another more quickly and organically.

Direct Educational and Practical Benefits

Setting aside the convenience of studying from home (and remaining in your pyjamas!), the educational benefits are substantial. As with any effective study group or ‘study buddy’, collaboration with international peers introduces various learning techniques and methods, which can significantly enhance the learning experience.

Beyond academics, having friends around the globe offers practical advantages. Your online classmates become a marvellous aid for future travel or relocation, providing first-hand information on the climate, educational systems, food, and living costs of a new country. Moreover, the opportunity to share languages is constant. Learning a new language is often complicated, but having an online friend with whom you can practice conversational skills dramatically boosts fluency and confidence.

The Cons: Addressing Screen Time and Social Skills

The most discernible drawback of international friendships is the inherent long-distance barrier, which necessarily limits face-to-face interactions. This requires students to invest a greater amount of time and effort into consciously building trust and shared understanding.

Furthermore, relying heavily on remote communication inevitably increases screen time. This contributes to the overall amount of time spent in front of devices, a critical concern for parents, given the potential impact of excessive screen use on developing brains and creative thinking, particularly among children and teenagers. Another challenge is the potential for a decrease in real-life social skills, especially when students favour asynchronous communication (texting) over video calls, which incorporate crucial body language and non-verbal cues.

The principle of “The more the merrier” does not always apply to the online sphere. An excessive number of purely online interactions can lead to diminished involvement in daily life routines, potentially affecting a person’s mental and physical well-being and, ironically, triggering a sense of isolation.

Final Thoughts: Balancing the Digital and the Real

Ultimately, like any opportunity, forming international friendships presents both significant benefits and manageable drawbacks. The key is balance. In a structured online school environment, the vast benefits—such as global perspective, cultural understanding, and practical language skills—substantially outweigh the challenges.

The choice is dependent on individual preferences, but the advice remains: be mindful of managing your screen time and always prioritise quality and depth in connection over sheer quantity.

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