From Dubai to New York: How real friendships thrive in a hyper-connected world

Dubai: In a city as diverse and fast-paced as Dubai, building lasting friendships may seem daunting — but for many, it’s those very connections that make the city feel like home. With International Friendship Day being celebrated on July 30, we asked people across generations and cultures what friendship means to them, and how they navigate human connection in a digital age.

Originally from the Philippines, Rochelle Laguardia, 35, Executive Assistant, has spent the last six years building a life — and meaningful relationships — in Dubai. In a city of constant comings and goings, her friendships have been the one constant she can count on.

“Friendship for me is having your chosen family,” she says. “These are the people you turn to when life gets tough, or when you just need someone to laugh with. I try to spend time with them as much as I can — even if it’s just a quick message or voice note.”

For Laguardia, social media has been a lifeline, especially with friends scattered across the globe.

“Some of my closest friends live in different countries. Social media helps us stay connected, even if we’re not physically there for each other. It makes it easier to reach out, send a meme, or do a quick video call when I miss them.”

Still, she acknowledges the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being online.

“Not gonna lie — there are moments when I feel left out seeing friends hang out without me. But I remind myself that everyone’s life moves at its own pace, and when it really matters, we find ways to be there for each other.”

One of Laguardia’s most powerful memories of friendship is also one of her most painful.

“I lost one of my best friends to cancer. Before she passed, she told me never to give up, even when life gets hard. That stuck with me. Every time I feel like quitting, I remember her strength. It reminds me to keep going.”

As for cross-cultural friendships, Laguardia says it’s all about empathy and humility.

“You won’t always get it right. I’ve said the wrong thing or misunderstood something before, but I always apologize and try to learn. I’ve realized real friends don’t love you despite your differences — they love you because of them.”

For Caitlyn Meyer, 25, Media Account Executive, South African in Dubai, friendships are the emotional backbone that help her navigate the pressures of career and city life. Now in her third year in Dubai, she describes her inner circle as her “emergency laugh team” — the ones who know when to show up, even uninvited.

“Friendship is my support system,” she says. “When the work week’s been brutal — or even if it hasn’t — sometimes you just need someone to crack a joke, play a board game, or just talk nonsense.”

She prefers in-person moments over digital updates.

“I’m not great at texting ‘life updates,’ but I love calling someone and planning a spontaneous night in. A games night, dinner, or even just chilling — that’s how I stay connected.”

Social media, she says, has played an interesting role in her friendships.

“It’s strengthened the real friendships and let the weak ones fade out. There’s a saying about friends being like seasons — and it’s true. Social media has helped lifelong friends stay strong, but the seasonal ones? They pass faster now.”

One friend’s small gesture left a long-lasting mark on her life.

“We had just moved into our new apartment and I hosted a small friends’ mass and secret Santa. One of my friends brought me an extra thank-you gift — a deck of prompt cards with simple things to shake up your routine. I’ve used it for two years now. Every time I pick one up, I think of her kindness.”

As someone naturally drawn to people, Meyer finds it easy to form friendships across cultures.

“I love people and learning about their stories. I don’t go into a friendship expecting us to be the same — I embrace the differences. That’s what makes conversations interesting and friendships long-lasting.”

Maria Rj Faith Lorezo, 45, childcare provider, 10 years in New York, recently made a trip back to Dubai — not for tourism, but to reconnect with old friends who’ve stood the test of time.

“To me, friendship means having someone who sees you for who you truly are — with all your mess and magic — and still chooses to stay. That kind of connection is sacred.”

She admits that keeping up with friends across time zones isn’t always easy.

“I try to check in often, even if it’s just a message or meme. Sometimes that small effort means everything. I know life gets busy, but I always make space for the people I care about.”

Her take on social media is balanced but intentional.

“It’s easy to feel like we’re connected when we scroll through each other’s lives. But sometimes, it becomes too surface-level. I use it to stay in touch, but I also make it a point to reach out personally — a real call, a thoughtful message. That’s what keeps it meaningful.”

When asked about moments that shaped her, Faith immediately names two people: Camhille and Fermel.

“Camhille is like my sister. We’ve been friends for over a decade. Through every life change — job losses, birthdays, heartbreaks — she’s there. We have this unspoken agreement: no matter what happens, we show up for each other.”

“Fermel has been my sounding board. Even from thousands of miles away, he makes me feel heard. Whether I’m celebrating or struggling, I know he’ll listen. That kind of friendship is rare — and priceless.”

As someone who’s lived in different countries, Lorezo has learned that respect and vulnerability are key to building cross-cultural friendships.

“The world is wide, but the heart is the same. When you come from a place of sincerity and curiosity, friendships bloom — no matter where you’re from.”

In a world of fast-paced interactions and fleeting connections, Jessiegi Almiranez, 33, a customer service professional who has lived in the UAE for three and a half years, believes that true friendship runs deeper — something sacred and enduring.

“Friendship, to me, is mutual trust, respect, and care,” they say. “It’s about being seen, supported, and accepted — without having to pretend, and regardless of how far apart you are.”

Rather than grand gestures, they celebrate their friendships in quiet, intentional ways.

“It’s the little things: a check-in message, a few kind words, remembering someone’s birthday, or just truly listening when a friend needs to talk. Small things like that build strong bonds over time.”

Some of his most defining experiences with friendship have come during life’s most vulnerable moments — times when simple support meant everything.

“In moments of heartbreak, illness, or when I felt lost, I’ve had friends who stood by me. Some prayed with me, others offered godly advice or just stayed close when I needed it most. That kind of presence is powerful — and unforgettable," says Almiranez.

Having navigated friendships across different cultures and backgrounds, they’ve learned that connection goes beyond kindness — it requires humility and intention.

“You’re not just getting to know a person — you’re learning how they see the world. That changes you, if you let it. The key is to be respectful, to listen deeply, and to approach those differences with an open heart.”

From spontaneous game nights in Dubai to heartfelt late-night calls across continents, these stories show that friendship is less about proximity and more about presence.

Whether it's chosen family, a routine-shaking gift, or a friend who never lets go, these stories remind us that friendship is still one of the most powerful — and beautiful — human experiences.

This International Friendship Day, take a moment to reach out, reconnect, and celebrate those who walk beside you through every chapter of life.

How do you celebrate your friendships? Tag your besties and share your story to readers@gulfnews.com