How to make friends in your university?

How to make friends in your university?

International students often feel lonely and isolated from the entire community as well as from college life. Some of them deplore the fact that they cannot make a lot of friends on campus to hang out with, or are not sure if American students will accept them. In this article, my goal is to identify ways for international students to make friends and help them find it easier to integrate into society in America.

From personal experience:

During my first collegiate semester, I did not have a lot of American friends, and I did not know how to integrate into American society. I spent a lot of time reading books and watching a lot of documentaries about cross-cultural interactions. After the first year, I wanted things to change, but didn’t know how to make it happen.

International students usually ask: “How can I make friends and get involved in activities in my university?

Here are ways to get involved in college activities and also make friends:

1.      Each University has an International Students Club: I always encourage foreign students to attend the International Students Club meetings as well as the activities. By attending both, they will have the opportunity to meet students from their own country. You might ask: what if there isn’t an international students club in my university?  When I was a student at Sinclair Community College, the International Students Club was inactive. Therefore, I took the initiative with the approval of the former club advisor to re-activate the club on campus.  If there isn’t a club at your university, take the initiative to open it.

2.      Each University has a Student Activities Center “SAC”:  The Student Activities Center is composed of many clubs. For instance, if you like to talk politics, you should consider joining the political science club.  

Here are some Clubs that every University should have:

1.      Campus Ministry: If you are interested in learning about different religions, you may enjoy getting involved with the campus ministry. By attending their meetings, you will explore different religions.   Also, you might be interested in meeting students from your faith; your university might have various religious clubs such as a Christian, Jewish, and Muslim one.

2.      Fraternities and sororities: Fraternity clubs are where the membership is exclusive for males. The members will hold each other accountable for their standards, goals and achievements. The members will also help each other through difficult times.  Sorority clubs are where the membership is exclusive for females.  Standards and expectations are often similar to their male counterparts, and the members also hold each other accountable.

3.      Major clubs:  Find a club that relates to your major and passion. For example, if you are an accounting major, you need to join the accounting club in your university. The purpose of joining a major club is to meet professionals who might offer you an internship or a job upon the completion of your degree.

Finally, I encourage you to attend a club that you are interested in. As a result, you will make friends who will stand for and assist you in difficult times as well as share happy times with you.