With international students constituting nearly 6 percent of the first-year class, it is not unusual to catch snippets of conversations held in 6 different accents or in different languages entirely. The international student population has gained a foothold at the University, and many students said the University's reputation and scenery were its biggest draws. Adjusting to the college atmosphere, however, has been more difficult for some than others.
The freedom to try numerous classes and fields before selecting a major put the University ahead of other colleges in their home countries, students said.
"As soon as you start college [in Mexico], you have to know what your major is, and if you change your major during your career, you lose almost all your credits," said second-year College student Annie Llaguno, who grew up in Mexico.
Students in the College do not decide on a major until the spring of their second years, while students in the Engineering School declare after their first years. Having time to decide on a major allows students to try a number of different subjects before setting a track.
"I wanted to come to the U.S. because I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to major in," second-year College student Kerim Aksoy said. "I wanted those years of freedom to experiment, try different things and choose what I wanted to do because in the U.K. and back home in Turkey, once you apply to college, you apply to a certain department."
Still, although important, academic openness is not the only thing that attracts students to the University. It also fits the ideal of the traditional American college.
"I was looking for a very classical college experience, a relativity quaint town with strong school spirit, and U.Va. did pretty much fit the bill," said second-year College student Zahir Khan, who is originally from Pakistan.
But even though the University fit students' wants and expectations, adjusting to life here was a struggle for some students. Third-year College student Ella Wong, who had never been to the United States before arriving at the University, said there is bound to be a certain amount of culture shock.
"I was pretty surprised when I first got here," Wong said. "People started talking about pretty personal details in front of people they didn't really know, like suitemates that they first met. They were talking about their boyfriends, and all this gossip already like they already knew each other but they didn't really." In Hong Kong, she said, people were much more reserved about their personal lives.
Llaguno also has noticed how much more comfortable people seem to be with each other here than in Mexico.
"Here people are more open than back home. In my city, almost everybody knows each other but if you don't, it's kind of dangerous," Llaguno said. "You can't really trust other people, but here, it's so open, so safe."
Learning to feel comfortable with others has been an important part of the adjustment process for international students, especially those who are experiencing dormitory life for the first time. German exchange student Katharina Thalmann said at the University of Freiburg back home, there is no centralized campus living. The school buildings are scattered throughout the city, and students are responsible for finding their own housing.
Wong, who lives in the International Residential College, said she liked having other international students around who were also going through the same adjustment process. But like several other students, Wong said it was easy to remain cut off from the larger student body when living in the IRC. Aksoy, who also lives in the IRC, shared these concerns.
"All the international students only hang out with international students. They go to international parties. They don't really make an effort to meet Americans," Aksoy said.
He added that the small amount of interaction is because of a lack of effort by both international and American students, not just one group.
He and Khan agreed that the best way to encourage more social interaction between international and American students would be to encourage greater diversity in housing assignments. They said they would like to see more Americans living in the IRC and a greater emphasis on encouraging international students to branch out. Improvements like this could allow the international population to grow even more next school year and earn a stronger foothold in the University community.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | January 8, 2025Whether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | January 6, 2025What the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
