The Graduate Grapevine: No More Apéros

By The Graduate Press Editorial Board

Q: Ever since I moved to Geneva, I keep disassociating when I am in social situations. What is your advice to stay present and make new friends?

Dear Institute Newbie, 

Welcome to the Institute, where life can sometimes feel like a circus. If you’re a fresh face, those first couple of months might resemble a porcupine hug – a tad prickly and not exactly cozy. At this point, you have probably amassed a whopping 17 invitations to apéros, ranging from first-year mixers to initiative events. It’s practically an apéro marathon, and it might leave you feeling as drained as attempting to run one (not really, but let’s run with it).

But, no need to break out in a cold sweat when you start resembling a socialite with a jam-packed schedule. Trust us; we’ve all been there, feeling like contestants on our very own reality show, “Survivor: Institute Edition.” Between the endless apéros and the relentless pressure to assemble your squad within the first few weeks, it’s easy to believe you’re living out a script orchestrated by a writer, setting you up for failure. 

Now, here’s the tea: those group gatherings can become as repetitive as ARP complaints. It feels like a setting where people will exclusively talk about where they studied IR and their impressive resumés. So, if you ever start to lose interest or even experience a bit of dissociation, don’t sweat it – you’re not alone.

Our advice? Let those social groups naturally unfold. The ones that kick off the semester with a bang often fizzle out. As you plunge into your studies, socializing takes a backseat, making it hard to keep friendships alive solely through epic hangout planning.

Instead, consider socializing as an adventure, almost like dating but with friends. You might overhear something hilarious in class or discover a shared passion, like quirky wallpaper designs. Build on those connections and don’t shy away from forming individual friendships. It can be very vulnerable, lean into it!

Embrace the intimate size of this institute; it can be the catalyst for genuine interactions, though sometimes they might get a bit too intense. Real connections aren’t built overnight, they need time to mature and can’t thrive solely on an overdose of socially engineered gatherings.

So, dear newbie, we wish you the best of luck navigating the twists and turns of social life here at the Institute. Remember to keep it light, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. After all, the quirkiest encounters often make the best stories! Here’s to your Institute adventure. 

Sincerely,

The Graduate Grapevine

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The Graduate Grapevine is The Graduate Press’ newly launched advice column. Submit questions via this form, or send us a DM on Instagram anytime. The Graduate Grapevine is a team effort from the TGP’s Editorial Board, where we combine our life experiences to answer relatable questions on school, relationships, and life at large.