Friendship Fallout, Growing Up Abroad, and Digital Delusions
Campus Confessional explores friendship fallout, language identity and AI in education, while listeners question how much they have changed since leaving home.
The latest episode of Campus Confessional begins with a discussion about sunshine, flu season and surviving Groningen’s sudden summer weather, but quickly moves into much bigger questions about identity, friendship and technology.
Hosts Kevin, Thalassa and Michela kick things off with a hot take about artificial intelligence. According to Kevin, AI is making students less stressed, but it may also be making them less proud of their own work. While all three admit AI has become a normal part of student life, they question whether students are becoming too dependent on it.
The conversation becomes even more interesting later in the episode when a listener claims their project coach uses AI to grade reports. The hosts point out the irony of students using AI to write assignments while lecturers may be using AI to assess them.
‘What are we learning?’ Michela asks, as the discussion turns towards the growing role of artificial intelligence in education.
The biggest theme of the episode, however, is personal growth.
One listener asks whether people remain the same person their hometown friends remember. The question resonates with all three presenters. Kevin reflects on moving away from Aruba, while Michela talks about returning to South Africa and hearing old friends tell her how much she has changed.
Rather than viewing change negatively, the hosts argue that growth is a natural consequence of studying, living independently and gaining new experiences. The Campus Confessional discussion repeatedly returns to the idea that becoming a different person is often a sign that life is moving forward.
Language and identity also play a major role in this week’s episode.
A listener confesses that they feel confident and outgoing in English, but shy and reserved in Dutch. Both Kevin and Michela immediately relate. Kevin explains that he feels different depending on whether he is speaking English, Dutch or Papiamento, while Thalassa says she now finds it easier to express herself in English than in Dutch. The hosts conclude that multilingual people often reveal different sides of their personalities depending on the language they are using.
Friendship drama provides another memorable discussion. One listener asks for advice after two close friends had a major falling out and both expect them to choose a side. The presenters strongly advise staying neutral whenever possible.
According to Thalassa, getting pulled into someone else’s conflict often creates more problems than it solves. Instead, the hosts encourage listeners to maintain boundaries and allow friends to work through their disagreements themselves.
Despite touching on heavier topics, the episode remains light-hearted throughout. The trio discuss AI-generated TikTok dramas featuring fruit characters, Spotify’s AI DJ feature, Desperate Housewives and their songs of the week. The result is a conversation that feels both reflective and entertaining.
Got a confession, dilemma or question for the hosts? Submit it anonymously through the Campus Confessional form.