Skip to content

One-sided friendships, awkward flirting and finding your place

Chris Wind Campus Confessional

One-sided friendships, awkward flirting, and finding your place as a student. This episode dives into the messy, honest heart of student life.

If they wanted to, they would. That now-iconic line pretty much sums up the theme of the fifth episode of Campus Confessional. This week, hosts Kevin, Sasha and Thalassa dive into listener confessions and questions that hit right in the feels, like one-sided friendships, navigating LinkedIn when you have zero experience, and what it means to *really* feel at home as an international student in the Netherlands.

Kevin kicks things off with a dilemma many students will recognise: always being the one to initiate plans with friends. The trio reflects on the importance of balanced energy in friendships, the awkward realisation that someone just might not like you back, and the painful but empowering act of letting go of one-sided friendships. The golden rule? Communicate. But also don’t waste time if someone repeatedly shows you they’re not putting in the effort.

Building a LinkedIn profile

From emotional truths to practical advice, the hosts then turn to LinkedIn. What do you do when you want to start building your professional profile but don’t have work experience yet? Kevin, ever the career coach, shares accessible tips on how to frame school projects, volunteering, and even group assignments in a professional way. The message: everyone starts somewhere, and you already have more to showcase than you think.

A heavier question follows: what if, despite the Netherlands’ reputation for openness, you don’t feel included as an international student? The discussion turns reflective, as the hosts talk honestly about cultural clashes, generational divides, and how much of feeling “at home” comes down to effort from both sides. You might not click with every Dutchie you meet, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong. Sometimes it’s just about finding *your* people.

Spicy confessions

And then, things take a turn. Because no Campus Confessional episode would be complete without a few spicy confessions. One listener ghosts their whole friend group for constantly sticking them with the bill (relatable), another admits to flirting with a TA for a better grade (it worked), and Kevin shares a workplace crush story that had him spiralling with overthinking.

Funny, heartfelt, and sharply honest, this episode continues to deliver what the series does best: creating a space where students can speak up, share anonymously, and feel seen. Whether you’re navigating flaky friendships, or still wondering if that one cute barista was flirting with you: this one’s for you.

Got your own story to share? Submit it anonymously via the HanzeMAG International Instagram.