To Do List: Make Friends

Studying abroad was appealing to me on many levels. One included meeting local students from another part of the world and immersing myself in a different culture. This has yet to become a reality after lining in France for a month. I feel so established in my own university ans so self assured in my studies and decision to study abroad, that I easily forget that I am reduced to being seen as a freshman entering college in that I have no friends, no contacts, and no real grasp on the city hot spots for students. I have unfortunately felt as if I have begun my college freshman year for a second time in Strasbourg. This idea frightens me. Although, the anticipation of having trouble getting around, speaking the language, or getting used to the cold weather were something I had prepared myself for, having trouble getting to know people and making friends was not. I had never given much thought as to how I had made friends later in life. I can distinguish and categorize my friends from the most recent to those I have known since before puberty. What I cannot recall is how I was able to connect with theme genuinely in order to begin this friendship. Beginning a conversation, finding common ground, or simply starting a friendly conversation has been more of a task than I thought possible. When faced with the dilemma to speak to another student or not, I revert back to the insecurities I had as a freshman and begin to doubt myself by thinking "I hope this isn't a stupid question", "I hope they speak English", "I hope they can understand my French","I hope they don't laugh". With all these questions plaguing my mind, by the time I have built up enough courage to talk to them, they have already walked down the hallway and I am simply left standing there with my question still unanswered.
I have contemplated many theories as to why my popularity at the EM hasn't risen to its full potential. First, I believe that the students here are my friends and are people I can call upon when I am ecstatic or even depressed. I am not alone in my travels nor my endeavors and do not have a compulsive need to make other friends since I already have fifteen friends at the Chateau. Second, the language barrier is too hard for me to cross. I am timid to express myself in the little French I know and merely seek out other English speakers and not French native if I ever do need assistance. Third, I have not found a place outside of school that will allow me to interact with students on a daily basis. I believe this third theory is the main culprit. Although, most everyone has made an effort to get out and know Strasbourg and its nightly atmosphere, we have yet to find a place that is frequented by students.
Slowly but surely, out of pure desperation for foreign student contact, I have made myself venture out in hopes of making one friend here in Strasbourg. I hope I am able to keep up any burst of courage I gain in order to talk to a fellow French student, because, after all, they are just students with most likely same tastes, problems and interests as we have, right?