Bishop’s University friendships can last a lifetime. To celebrate International Friendship Day, we asked our alumni to share how they met their best friends for life on campus. Here are just a few of the incredible friendship stories we received, including the unique perspective of two friends who met by chance and remained close, even with an ocean between them.
Why Bishop’s University friendships are so special: Ashley ’19, Marta ’21, and Sheyann ’22
Ashley ’19 met her two best friends and future maids of honour at B.U. Ashley got to know Marta ’21 on the Gaiters Women’s Rugby team in 2017 and met Sheyann ’22 in 2019 at the Bunny Hop in Sherbrooke. They remained inseparable for the following years. While they now live far apart (we’re talking multiple hour flights), they remain connected through their matching tattoos, their weekly talks, and their annual girls’ trip.
How B.U. friendships start and grow: Jen ’95, Laurie ’95, and Coreene ’95
Jen ’95, Laurie ’95, and Coreene ’95 all met in their first year in the fall of 1991. Coreene and Jen were in the same team during Orientation Week. By the time they walked to the Lion, they were fated to be friends forever. Jen says Mackinnon was like a hub – the perfect place to form friends. Laurie lived two doors down from her. By the next year, the three were living together and even went on a road trip out west to Alberta. Since then, they’ve been by each other’s sides for everything, from weddings to welcoming their kids into this world. Two of them have children who are currently at Bishop’s, and Jen’s daughter is an alumna.
Friendships built through everyday moments and lifelong bonds: Natalia ’15, Kathleen ’13, Angie ’15, Danielle ’13, Toni-Anne ’15, and Kim ’14
Natalia ’15 made many friends while at Bishop’s. She met Kathleen ’13 at Dewies; she had an energy and laughter that drew Natalia in. They both liked basketball and playing sports. Their friendship flourished at B.U. and beyond. In fact, Kathleen was the first to know Natalia was pregnant back in 2021.
One person Natalia could not wait to meet was Angie ’15. They had mutual friends who lived in Angie’s residence, but their classes did not align. Natalia finally got their friends to introduce them at Dewies. She says Angie has a wild energy and a contagious laugh that can brighten your day.
Although Natalia and Danielle ’13 were kind of distant at first, they often saw each other at Dewies and lived in same residence. They eventually connected over their love of soccer, nature, and photography, and they became inseparable. Danielle was a teacher and protector to Natalia. She cherishes their friendship greatly.
Natalia met Toni-Anne ’15 in Molson and thought she was cool and very funny. After passing each other in the halls for a year or two, they finally connected and spent much time together dancing, eating, and studying. They are still very close and see each other often.
Natalia and Kim ’14 met in photography class. Kim and her family, also B.U. alumni, took Natalia in as one of their own. To this day she considers them family. Kim became auntie Kim, one of Natalia’s bridesmaids, and even travelled to Serbia to visit her one summer.
“I was very blessed at Bishop’s, and I made many lifelong besties. Some of us do not see each other often but there is something special that ties us together,” says Natalia. While she couldn’t describe every single one of her friendships, she also wanted to give a special shoutout to Abdul, Mary, and Alex.
How a class project sparked a global Bishop’s University friendship: Nyaradzo and Soraiya ’19
Nyaradzo: “Soraiya and I first met during the second semester of 2019. I was on exchange from the UK and met Soraiya in our International Entrepreneurship class. Our friendship had a funny start. We were both looking to join a group for our project. However, neither of us had enough members, so we paired up with other members of the class and joined the same group.
From then on, we would meet for our group meetings but also to hang out outside of the classroom a few times. By the time my semester abroad came to an end, we had gotten quite close. I didn’t think I’d see my B.U. bestie for a long time. However, to my surprise, the same year in the summer of 2019, she came to the UK whilst visiting family. We agreed to meet in Leicester. I met her mom, who is one of the sweetest people I know.
We often catch up on WhatsApp video calls, and I, too, have visited her—first in 2023, and met both her mom and dad, and again in 2024. Needless to say, we’ve come a long way, and we always joke that if it hadn’t been for B.U. and International Entrepreneurship, we wouldn’t have been friends. Thank you, B.U. and the Bishop’s International team, the Student Support team, the EDI office, and the Communications office! A special thanks to Diane Mills, Lysange Gervais, Katie Bibbs, Amy Abe, and Sonia Patenuade for support even until this day.”
Soraiya: “Like Naz said, we met when we were placed in the same group for our International Entrepreneurship class. I still remember that first meeting at the SUB. I was nervous because I’m naturally shy, but Naz made me feel so comfortable right away. After that, we were inseparable for the rest of the semester.
One of the moments that really stuck with me was during exam season; I was so stressed about my finance exam, and Naz kept me company, encouraged me, and helped me get through it. We also spent a lot of time in the library, not exactly studying… mostly watching Ariana Grande music videos and laughing. I can admit that now that we’ve graduated!
After I graduated in 2019, I had a trip planned to Malaysia and figured it was the perfect chance to visit Naz in England. We went to Nando’s, walked around the mall, and just talked for hours like no time had passed. It meant a lot.
We stayed close during the pandemic, and she even came to visit me twice in 2023 and once in 2024. I got to show her around my hometown, Toronto, and we also went to Niagara Falls where we took way too many photos by the water and had so much fun.
We still talk every single day. I’m so grateful B.U. brought Naz into my life.”
