Being the target of his brothers' practical jokes inhibited Igor's contact with older students his first two years at Durmstrang, but once they'd both left school, things were easier – not the least because he didn't have to worry about surprise hexings between classes. He actually went so far as to make friends above his year, though he didn't keep in touch with them once they'd left.
The only real exception was Antonin Dolohov. Others only remembered his skill as a Beater, but he and Igor shared academic interests. It was nice to have someone to trade new curse ideas with.