European Studies

Our second story today is the one of Anni and Wiebke. Two best friends who also met each other at FASoS! 💕 “Wiebke and I initially met in one of the very first courses, Academic Research and Writing year 1 period 1 of the BA ES. I didn't think much of her in the beginning honestly: just another of many freshly hatched Abitur-graduates from Germany like myself, and quickly formed other friendships. Then something changed. I can't pin-point it, can't really remember it. For some reason, I began hanging out with Wiebke more often. Wiebke is a Gemini through and through: Her passion for international relations matches her love for baking. She greets every morning with a fierce determination to get one step closer to graduation. Once she arrives home, she unquestioningly prepares dinner for me at my mere mention that I am still at the library, and ravenously hungry.
When a room in my house became vacant it seemed that we were meant to expand the boundaries of our friendship. I think of us now as a platonic team, seemingly as strong as any romantic relationship. We share more than just four walls now. She cooks for me, I save her from spiders on her balcony. She welcomes me to her parents' home for Christmas, I read over nearly all of her papers before submission. She reminds me of deadlines, I surprise her with Glühwein in her kitchen cabinet. We're there for each other as concert companions, shopping advisers, window washers, study buddies. This Valentine's Day I want to take the opportunity to thank Wiebke for her consistent and nurturing friendship. At times, I still don't understand you. Where does your seemingly unnatural excitement for Kitchen Aids originate from? Why do you know so much about coal mining? When will you stop romanticizing Christmas?! I am looking forward to many more years of friendship to find the answers to these questions.” – Anni Schleicher, BA European Studies student