Walking around IU you have probably noticed groups of students walking together, speaking different languages or dressing differently. Many international students move to the United States not only to study in one of the best schools in the world, but also immerse themselves in a contrasting culture and experience events they wouldn’t otherwise encounter at home.
However, I have noticed some international students isolate themselves from the rest of the students. Adapting to a new environment can be challenging, but the rewards of embracing different cultures are immense. As an international student from Brazil, I have formed valuable connections at IU by stepping outside my comfort zone and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds.
Indiana University is a large institution; there are over 68,000 degree-seeking undergraduate students, 6,500 of whom are international students from more than 160 countries. The university’s diverse student body presents a special opportunity to have cross-cultural exchange with hundreds of different cultures.
Actively seeking to branch out and succeed at it is a hard effort, especially when you are not from America.
As an incoming freshman from Brazil last fall, as an incoming freshman from Brazil last fall, I already had family living in the U.S. and had visited the country before, which made me feel comfortable both linguistically and culturally
My branching out journey started after I got my acceptance letter from the school and before I even set foot at Indiana University. I had to decide where I was supposed to live. Not knowing anything about the campus, I joined a school-sponsored online forum to find more information. Eventually, I got to speak with some Brazilians who I could have roomed with, but I chose to room with an American. I believed this decision would help me connect with the campus culture more quickly. Knowing my American roommate became particularly important later when we looked for an apartment that required a credit score, which most international students don’t have. Through this experience, I learned taking small steps and reaching out to different individuals is essential for building a reliable network of people you can depend on and benefit from.
Exploring different clubs at the student involvement fair also gave me more opportunities to network. The most meaningful club to me was Cru, a Christian organization focusing on worship and Bible study. Attending Cru was very important to me; not only did I make connections, but I also got to experience my first tailgate and an American cookout at Lake Monroe.
My efforts to integrate into the campus culture have been quite successful. Since my freshman year, I’ve built a strong network of people I can rely on for support. Stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people has led me to find important things in my life like mentors, friends, and my girlfriend.
Unfortunately, in my friend groups I’m usually the only one who is not American. Even though there are thousands of international students studying at IU, I see very few of them actively taking part in the overall campus cultural and social life. This might be due to various factors, such as language barriers, cultural differences, or a lack of familiarity with American social norms. Many international students may also feel more comfortable connecting with others from similar backgrounds, which can limit their opportunities to interact with the wider campus community.
If you are an international student and you are not actively seeking to meet people from outside your comfort zone, you are missing out on tremendous growth opportunities that most people from your country would never get to experience.
Building a wider circle of people opens the door to interactions that can lead to lifelong friendships, valuable networking opportunities, and cultural enrichment. Make a concentrated effort to meet new individuals and reap the many positive outcomes of social interaction. Each connection has the potential to offer new perspectives and experiences, enhancing your personal and professional life. Embrace the chance to step out of your comfort zone; the relationships you cultivate will enrich your time at university, as it has with mine. Take that first step—reach out, engage, and watch as your world expands in incredible ways.
Eduardo Merecci Machado (he/him) is a sophomore studying neuroscience.
