#9. Make at least 5 close friends abroad - KATE!

My first month in Germany was as anyone would expect. I was in a constant state of disorientation, I couldn't understand a single word around me and in the end, began to feel quite lonely. It was during International Day at my kids' school that I first met Kate. She was the au pair for a family friend, and as we stood on opposite sides of Kenya (the theme of the room), The Mom shouted out to the both of us, "NIX, THAT'S KATE. KATE, THAT'S NIX!"

The Mom has a shameless mouth and I'm used to such cross country conversations. Calmly I looked up and around, searching for a kid named Kate that I assumed I needed to escort to the restroom. Seeing no dire child in need of a pee, I went back to exotic animal face painting.

Of course, seeing as her national broadcast was not heard, The Mom grabbed my arm, tearing me away from my facial masterpiece, and thrust me into the five foot radius of Kate, the 22 year old au pair who was capable of escorting her own self to he bathroom. We talked, for what it's worth, and I became instantly aware of how unfamiliar I had become with young adult socialization. Still, we reconnected in the Caribbean, exchanged numbers and began the start of a close friendship in Germany.

Since then, we have had countless slumber parties, a variety of pub crawls, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even weekend trips into different cities. Kate is the most selfless of people, willing to help you in whatever way she can with no personal gain whatsoever. She's coached me through minor travel panic attacks and constantly encourages me to "win." Because of her, I am a fuller person, and that's what has earned her a spot as my very first close friend abroad.