Megan & Jade—A Minerva Friendship That Defied Distance

Jade and Megan’s friendship began in Seoul during Megan’s senior year and Jade’s sophomore year. The pandemic disrupted plans, leaving Megan uncertain about finding true connections. While she originally planned to go to Taipei, Megan ended up staying in South Korea due to travel restrictions. Feeling isolated with her class scattered across the globe, she wasn’t expecting to form new relationships that semester. That changed when Jade’s class arrived in Seoul. The two met through mutual friends and immediately clicked over shared experiences and a mutual love for exploration.

“I heard Megan was amazing,” Jade recalls. “She spoke Korean, and we were in Korea—what an asset of a friend!” Their first outing included visiting a vegan restaurant and translating fortunes. As the weeks passed, a quiet, book-filled café became their go-to meeting spot, where conversations gradually turned deeper, evolving from lighthearted exchanges to reflections on identity, aspirations, and fears. That was when they realized their friendship was not just situational—it was something that would last beyond their time at Minerva.

That semester in Seoul was filled with spontaneous adventures and meaningful moments. They spent afternoons wandering through hidden alleys, discovering local cafes, and celebrating the small joys of daily life together. During one of their early conversations, they talked about past relationships, future dreams, and the things that shaped them. It was an early sign that this friendship wasn’t just fun—it was deeply grounding.

After just one semester together, they faced the challenge of maintaining a long-distance friendship. Megan, now in New York, made a point to visit Jade in almost every Minerva city—London, Buenos Aires, Taipei— and after graduation, Lisbon. “Megan always showed up,” Jade says. “She put in the time and effort, which meant the world.” Megan reflects, “No matter how far apart we were, I wanted to be intentional about showing up.”

The two navigated distance by scheduling monthly calls, sending voice notes, and consistently updating each other on the ups and downs of post-grad life. Megan became more than just a friend—she was a thought partner, someone Jade could go to for advice, reflections, and support. They also made the effort to visit each other in person whenever possible. Megan stayed with Jade’s family in London, getting to know her childhood home, her dogs, and the spaces that shaped her.

Their most unforgettable experience was an unprepared hike up Hallasan in Jeju. “We had tiny water bottles and a banana between us while seasoned hikers had full gear,” Megan adds, “There was a moment where we thought we might not make it, but we kept each other going. I think that sums up our friendship—no matter how tough things get, we push through together.”

Reflecting on Minerva, both agree the people made it special. “You’re surrounded by brilliant, curious people who genuinely want to see you succeed,” says Jade. Megan adds, “Post-grad, I’ve realized how rare that is. I still have friends all over the world whom I can reach out to for anything. Minerva wasn’t just a university, it was a family.” Even five years post-graduation, Megan still relies on this network. Couch-surfing across continents and sharing milestones with Minerva friends has become part of her life.

Their advice for maintaining friendships is simple: be intentional. “Set up recurring calls and stick to them,” says Jade. “Don’t take delays personally—give friends grace,” adds Megan. Their friendship has stood the test of time and distance, proving that true friendships are worth every effort.

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If you were inspired by Megan & Jade's friendship and story and are seeking a college experience that will teach you valuable pragmatic skills that will enable you to change the world, consider applying to Minerva.

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