International Day of Friendship: Friendship makes every step of university journey better​

Online learning can feel lonely before it starts. You open your laptop, join a class from your bedroom, kitchen table, or a small desk, and see faces on a screen instead of in a hallway. There is no walk to class with a friend. No easy "let's sit together" moment.

​At Parami University, students log in from different countries, cities, and time zones. On paper, this sounds isolating. In real life, between a shared group project, a late-night study session, and a random comment in the class chat, real friendships grow within Parami students. 

The friendship grew quietly in direct messages, voice notes, Zoom chats asking, "Are you also stuck on this question?" and small jokes that slowly become inside jokes. These friendships may not look like the ones we see in movies. But they are just as real and just as important.

​This is why International Day of Friendship means something here. It gives students a reason to pause and say thank you to the classmates who made this journey lighter.

What International Day of Friendship is about

​Every year on July 30, the world marks International Day of Friendship. The United Nations celebrates this day as a reminder that friendship between individuals, between communities, between countries can help build peace and understanding. The idea is simple: when people care for each other across differences, the world becomes a little kinder.

​For a university community like Parami, where students come from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries, this idea feels close to home. Friendship at Parami isn't only about having fun together. It's about encouragement when a class feels too hard, kindness when someone is having a bad week, and the quiet comfort of knowing you are growing together, not alone.

The friends who were there

​Ask any Parami student about their toughest week, and there's usually a classmate somewhere in that story.

​Maybe it's the classmate who checked in after a difficult lecture just to ask, "Hey, are you okay? That one was rough." 

Maybe it's the one who sent an encouraging message the night before a big assignment was due when doubt started creeping in. However,  it's the quiet support system that keeps students going, one class at a time. Parami students were asked to share the names of classmates they appreciated and the reasons behind their gratitude. Here are their responses. 

​"I'm deeply grateful to Charles and Wutyee for helping me overcome academic challenges at Parami. They encouraged me whenever I struggled with my studies and supported me emotionally during difficult times, which helped me keep going." - Khant Razar Kyaw

​"If I had to take the toughest class at Parami, I would choose to study with Mozart Brang and Nyein Ko Ko without hesitation because they make every challenge easier with their sharp thinking, laughter, and constant support. We help each other build stronger arguments, prepare for assignments, and stand by one another through difficult moments. Although I'm a Philosophy major and they're Politics majors, we've always learned from each other and shared a passion for community development. They taught me that true friendship isn't defined by age, background, or academic major, but by having people who grow with you and always have your back. " - Phyo Su Moe

​Friendship doesn't need to be in the same room

Online friendships take different forms from in-person relationships. Although they may not include everyday activities shared in physical spaces, they can still create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and support.  

At Parami, friendship often grows through conversations, shared experiences, and moments of encouragement across screens. It can be classmates exchanging ideas from different backgrounds, supporting one another through challenges, or creating a space where everyone feels they belong.

Students shared their perspectives on what friendship means within the Parami University community. Their responses highlight how meaningful connections can develop through understanding, respect, and shared experiences, regardless of physical distance.  

"A place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and included, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. People listen to one another, share their different experiences, and learn from each other's perspectives." - Min Thant Hein

"It is a place to open up experiences and challenges with one another. Being able to meet like-minded individuals and friends that share similar experiences has been a bonus while navigating student life."- Kaung Kyaw Khant Khant

For some students, friendship means being welcomed and valued for who they are. For others, it means finding people who understand their experiences and make the journey through university feel less lonely. Together, these connections show that a strong community can grow across distances, one conversation at a time.

Small acts, meaning  impact

​Most friendships aren't built in one big moment. They're built in small, ordinary moments, repeated again and again, until they become something you can rely on.

​A quick "how are you?" message on a hard day. A classmate checking in after a tough class just to see how you are holding up. Someone offering to help when an assignment feels impossible to finish alone. A friend celebrating a small win with you even when it seems too small to mention to anyone else. ​ These moments rarely feel important while they are happening. But they are often the ones students remember long after the semester ends. 

Students shared small acts of kindness from classmates that left a lasting impression and explained why those moments were meaningful. 

"One small act of kindness from my classmate Mary Myat Mon (Mary) that I still remember is that she always shared opportunities with me, such as scholarships and exchange program opportunities. Whenever she found one, she sent it to me first and said, "Hey, Lu Htoi, this opportunity is for you. Grab it! You will get it." She believed in me and encouraged me even when I didn't believe in myself. I will never forget her kindness because her support gave me the confidence to apply and grab that opportunity. Those opportunities became a turning point in my life. She is more than my classmate." - Lu Htoi

​"Whenever we say goodbye after hanging out, May Thae Htet (Eris) always tells me, "Get home safely!" and reminds me to text her when I get back. It might seem like a small thing to other people, but it's truly heartwarming to me." - A student from Class of 2029

​A shared scholarship link. A reminder to text when you are home safe. Neither one seems like much on its own. But years from now, these might be the moments students remember most clearly.

​Say Thank You

International Day of Friendship is an opportunity to recognize the people who contribute to our journeys and to express appreciation for their support.

It could be a classmate who offered encouragement during a challenging week, a study partner who helped you stay motivated, or a friend who took the time to listen. A simple message to show gratitude can be a meaningful way to acknowledge their impact.

This International Day of Friendship, take a moment to reach out to the people who have supported you. Celebrate the friendships and connections that make our journeys more meaningful, even across distances.