This blog was written by Semester 1 Storyteller, Niharika.
When I came to Australia, my story here started in university accommodation, a place I called home but never meant it. Somewhere between awkward kitchen encounters, late-night conversations and random shared meals, that word gained meaning.
At first, it was just a room.
But without any big moment announcing it, it became something else — my first home away from home.
Not because of the building but because of the people who filled it with life.
And if you’ve ever lived in accommodation, you probably know exactly what I mean.
So let me introduce you to my seven wonders — the kind of friends you might recognise in your own group too.
Himani – The one friend who always asks, “Did you Eat?”
Every group has the mum friend.
Himani’s love language is food. She turned the shared kitchen into a comfort zone with late-night meals, shared plates, and the simple question that somehow fixes everything:
“Did you eat?”
Palak – The one friend who brings the energy
Every squad has that one person whose energy fills the room.
Palak laughs louder, reacts bigger, and somehow turns ordinary moments into memories. The funny part? I never thought we’d be friends.
Now she’s completely irreplaceable.
Tiffany – The one friend who brings the drama
Every group has someone who keeps life entertaining.
Tiffany treats gossip like breaking news and believes every inconvenience deserves a full discussion but the chaos she brings is forgotten with one sincere “sorry” melts your anger instantly.
Sai (Anna) – The one friend who feels like a big brother
Every group has someone who quietly looks out for everyone.
Sai is equal parts sunshine and chaos — and somehow able to sleep anywhere. He may not always be at the centre of things but when he’s not around, you notice.
Vicky – The one friend who gives unexpected life advice
Some friendships arrive quietly.
Vicky blended into the group without a grand entry but became part of every late-night conversation. On the surface: dad jokes. Underneath: surprisingly good life advice.
Rahul (Bunny) – The one Friend who feels like a sibling
Every squad has someone who feels like family.
Rahul brought pure sibling energy — equal parts annoying and reliable. The kind of friend you argue with constantly but still rely on without thinking twice.
Shubhi – The one friend who was always there
And then there’s the constant.
Shubhi didn’t come from accommodation — she came with me. “Best friend” feels too small. Sister feels more accurate.
She reminds me who I was before all of this… and who I’m becoming.
When I first walked into accommodation, I thought it was just a place to stay. Now when I think about it, I remember the people, the shared meals, the late-night talks and the laughter that somehow made everything feel easier. There are also some friendships people hardly talk about – the ones that don’t stay forever. They become memories but the kind that leave a lasting impact and remain an important part of the journey. A little like Hogwarts, maybe not magical because of spells but magical because of the people who make you feel like you belong.
These were my seven wonders, send it to the wonders from your own squad. Because at the end of it all, I’m simply grateful for all the wonders who turned a place to stay, into a home.