The summer between high school and college, the only thing I truly wanted the perfect movie summer fling -- rocks thrown at my window, romantic walks taken along the beach and cute picnics eaten underneath the beaming rays of the summer sun. Yet, as I told everyone -- in an attempt to convince myself -- that this summer would not revolve around boys, I knew that deep down I was afraid because wishing for a romance was easier. Romances come and go, but truly finding a friend or two to trust completely was even more difficult and profound than having the unrealistic, unattainable, picturesque romance portrayed in a movie.

What I truly wanted, deep down, was the type of best friend I could rely on anywhere for anything, who would be completely honest with me while pushing me to be a better version of myself. What I realized by the end of this unforgettable summer was that ,although I would always be able to find a boy in whatever city, I knew that best friend are once in a lifetime gems that should be treasured.

This summer, I decided to take a course in France in order to improve my French skills. Although about a fourth of the attendees were adults, the rest of the people were incredible teenagers and young adults from across the globe. With students like those studying in Oxford University in England, and students traveling around the globe to perform humanitarian projects, this group of young adults was the most genuine and down to earth group of people I have ever come across.

As I spent two, three or four weeks with these young adults, together we experienced a completely new culture while learning the language and going on excursions around the area to explore the history, religion and community of France and French people. Tasting champagne in the Champagne region of France, and hiking in the Vosges mountain range, together we formed an unbreakable bond through our thirst for knowledge and exposure to unfamiliar cultures.

Speaking English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Romanian, Italian and Russian -- among other languages -- we not only had the opportunity to experience French culture, but also the cultures of over 60 countries through interacting with each other. Working together in groups during class and discussing world topics on bus rides together, we were able to be exposed to a plethora different perspectives from myriad of different countries, something quite foreign to me during my short 18 years on this Earth.

Though, collectively, we are each from different ends of the Earth, we are united by our yearning for knowledge. Though this summer course is almost over, I know that these friendships and bonds are unbreakable. I can finally say that I have met the best friends who will forever hold a dear place in my heart.