At a predominantly white university, feeling like the odd one out can occur easily when you’re a person of color.
For some college students, it is their first time being exposed to an environment like IU. Seeing a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities can be somewhat of a culture shock, making students feel as if they do not belong.
Belonging is something we as humans need to survive, according to psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. So, it is natural for humans to long for a clique or a niche.
At IU, it is common to see a smaller number of students of color who resemble oneself. The 2021 diversity report from College Factual shows Black students are only 4.5% of the population at IU. The Latino community makes up 7.2% of the population.
It is possible you could be the only person of color in your classroom; therefore, it is vital to find people you can relate to outside of class.
Fortunately, there are many ways to do this.
1. Join an organization tailored to representation for your community. IU houses many organizations such as the African Student Association, the Black Student Union, the NAACP, and many more. Each organization offers something different to students of color to prepare them for life and their academic journey.
2. Find community in those around you. There are many opportunities to form relationships by simply talking to people you find things in common with. It does not hurt to introduce yourself and build your network of supporters.
3. Be open to new experiences. Many organizations like the ones mentioned above host events where you can go to learn new things, connect with new people, participate in fun activities or just show your face for exposure.
4. Get out and about. Explore campus and see what different opportunities may be available to you. You can always find a brochure or guide somewhere on campus which identifies various groups, clubs and events happening year-round.
5. Use social media to your advantage. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to connect with mutual friends and those in your area. Connecting with people around your campus will present opportunities to network, make new friends, find new things going on near you and just have someone to talk to who can relate to your situation.
Since our world is mostly virtual today, finding creative ways to engage with a supportive community can be extremely beneficial. There are many resources available at IU to guide students in the process of finding their group. There are also plenty of ways to connect from your bed at home too.
