<p>hie people.So,I will be attending Oberlin in Aug,and I am an international student(ED).I have scoured the web and am unable to find ANY information about international student life,groups,campus organisations,events etc.The Oberlin website has little to no info on this either,and it makes me worry about whether international students are welcome/feel comfortable at Oberlin.The one brochure I have does not feature any international students.So,where are the international students at Oberlin?Hiding under rocks?idk...(side note:what is a hipster?I have come across this word a number of times being used as a reference to Oberlin students,and have no real idea of what it means)Can someone help me?</p>
<p>Unless things have drastically changed since I was there, international students are fully incorporated into the student body. They can fully participate in all aspects of campus life to the extent they choose and live in any dorms they have an interest in. </p>
<p>Certain dorms do have special interests/culture that will mesh better with some students as opposed to others. </p>
<p>During my time in Oberlin, I’ve hung out and studied with students from all over the world. </p>
<p>As for the term hipster…not really sure beyond knowing there’s plenty in my home city of NYC and that the characteristics are: off-beat fashion using seemingly thrift-shop clothes to express “ironic” appreciation of whatever fashion they’re wearing and/or listening to non-mainstream music(i.e. indie rock) and refusing to listen to mainstream music except to poke fun at them in an “ironic” or sometimes “pseudo-ironic sense”. They are also known for disdaining mainstream fashion/music trends and people who follow them…unless they find something they like from that area for “pseudo-ironic” reasons to maintain their hipster cred. </p>
<p>Agg…this is confusing…and sad thing is, I was born in, grew up, and live in one of the biggest hipster capitals of the world. :(:D:D</p>
<p>Anyone else here want to take a shot/throw a can/bottle/case of PBR beer at me? :D</p>
<p>Macmill, you are kidding, aren’t you? Oberlin has an Office of International Students. </p>
<p>Have you visited the Insternational Students web page? I was able to locate it in 10 seconds, no “scouring.” You can even download a pdf called “International Students Handbook” which should contain all the info you need, including housing info. Besides, freshmen live on campus anyway. Click the following link:</p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> College | Office of International Students | IS Handbook](<a href=“http://new.oberlin.edu/office/international-students/incoming-students/]Oberlin”>http://new.oberlin.edu/office/international-students/incoming-students/)</p>
<p>Thanks cobrat for thedetailed clarification onthe hipster issue,I think I understand the context better now.Plainsman,let me explain further:I have indeed read the generic information available,but it doesnt give the sort of personal impressions I am seeking.A certain LAC in IOWA sent me a brochure that really helped with this:It was entirely written for and about international students,with profiles of students and personal anecdotes about how they get involved in campus life etc.This really helps a student in a far-flung third world country like myself visualize how I could possibly fit into the campus dynamics…I am more after the human/emotive aspects of their experiences rather than the handbook type info…I dont know if this makes sense but I am trying to say something to this effect.THE blogs have been truly helpful but again there is one(or 2?) international students blogging so much of it goes over my head because I cannot relate to the context/culture…something like that.</p>
<p>Re the hipster question – I like Karl’s take: [Oberlin</a> Blogs | Blog Entry: “The hipster’s dilemma.”](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/community/life_culture/the_hipsters_di.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/community/life_culture/the_hipsters_di.shtml)</p>
<p>Macmill: There is plenty of “emotive aspects” of student experiences on the Oberlin blogs. Colleges are different. Obviously, the internationals at the Iowa college you referenced felt a need to publish their own information. Perhaps Oberlin internationals do not feel the same need. That’s a good sign, don’t you think?</p>
<p>Plainsman:You are indeed right,the blogs do evoke a sense of emotion and as I noted earlier,they have been a great resource for me throughout the college search and beyond.My perceptions are really based in relation to my experiences with several other colleges.I am comparing the level of personal engagement that I experienced with the media and paraphernalia that other colleges publish concerning nternational students and this is the domain in which I am finding Oberlin somewhat lacking.For example,when I sent them an information request some months ago,all I got was a single brochure entitled “Science at Oberlin”.There was no letter or any other information to go with it,and I found this rather inadequate.Don’t get me wrong-I love love love Oberlin.But as n international student it is something of a quest to find information that is specific to my needs as an international student.Other colleges on my list made this<br>
easy by sending me a LOT of information of this kind in print and having international students blog and e-mail prospective students about their experiences.Of course,every school is different,and Oberlin even more so,which is why I love it,but I would have liked to see more information about international students.If all else fails,I think I will just directly e-mail the delightful people in admissions who have been the best admissions staff I have encountered thus far.Maybe I should join the Oberlin bloggers when I enroll next year …</p>
<p>@quaere I have just read that hipster blog post,very interesting stuff.And I am enrolling this year not next year.</p>
<p>There was an international student who matriculated to Oberlin who was posting extensively on CC for a while, curlyfry or something. Too bad she has taken herself off-line evidently, she would no doubt be a wealth of information on this topic.</p>
<p>But I guess that’s what those bloggers are for.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Excellent idea. Someone has to start it. Someone like you started it at the school in Iowa.</p>
<p>Here’s two Oberlin bloggers who are international students:
[Oberlin</a> Blogs | Kriti Godey '11](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/Kriti.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/Kriti.shtml)
[Oberlin</a> Blogs | Ruby Saha '14](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/Ruby.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/Ruby.shtml)</p>
<p>I’m an American, so can’t give you lots of information, but I’ll try. There are several international student groups; here is a list which has them: [Clubs</a> - Oberlin College](<a href=“http://new.oberlin.edu/student-life/student-organizations/clubs.dot]Clubs”>http://new.oberlin.edu/student-life/student-organizations/clubs.dot). I’m not sure how active they all are, but I do hear of different events international groups sponsor throughout the year, like different dinners or lectures. We also have program houses, including Third World House and Asia House, which have strong communities with both American and international students; however you can also choose to just live in regular housing. I’m not sure where you’re from, so there might not be a group that covers your background, but I think in general international students are supportive of each other. Since I know there can be issues with culture shock and adjustment, I wish I knew campus resources to suggest, but I think things like that might be covered during international student orientation. Generally I’ve noticed that international students either tend to integrate themselves or mainly hang out with other international students. I think in particular, this might be a division between college international students and conservatory international students, whose English ability does not have to be quite as good I think. I personally was in the college and knew several international students. Unfortunately I don’t think that there’s a lot of official American student to international student assistance in terms of getting settled, but I think everyone is understanding and there are no barriers for you to get involved in any activities at Oberlin. Oberlin students are generally friendly too, so I think you will be able to find a place!</p>
<p>@macmill - In addition to all the responses above, it is to be noted that we also have an active International Students Organization.</p>
<p>In regards to the Oberlin bloggers, we have several students who are/were bloggers who are international students and/or lived internationally while applying to college.</p>
<p>I agree with the recommendations of blogs written by Ruby and Kriti (no longer writing, but she has archived entries), and Ida and Christine as international-ish bloggers. You can find their posts through the meet the bloggers page:</p>
<p>[Oberlin</a> Blogs | Meet The Bloggers](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/blogs.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/blogs.shtml)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for pointing out all these resources for me to check out! I really,really do appreciate your assistance! monydad,I found old posts by theonecurlyfry,which were very helpful–thanks for pointing this out.Thank you again everyone now Im off to follow all the great links you generously provided:-)</p>
<p>Wait,estargirl88 what exactly do you mean when you say international students <<integrate themselves=“” hang=“” out=“” with=“” other=“” internationals?=“”>>Does this mean they create their own exclusive,isolated groups and dont mesh well with americans?And do they end up like this by self-segregating or by being segregated against?</integrate></p>
<p>Some people do self-segregate at Oberlin, but I don’t think they are the majority. Example: a lot of U.S. minority students live/hang out on South Campus, according to my D2. Apparently North Campus, where my D2 resides, has a lot fewer students of color. Of course, many frosh live in first year dorms on North Campus, but it seems many students of color flee to South Campus after first year. She says it’s by choice, which is logical. The College doesn’t segregate anyone. This isn’t necessarily a terrible thing. Apparently some of the theme housing/dining that appeals to students of color and some white students happens to be located on South Campus.</p>
<p>Self-segregation happens in high school, college, and even corporate cafeterias. I don’t consider that a terrible thing unless it’s done to an extreme. After all, most people do enjoy spending at least some time with others who have a common heritage, culture, language, etc.</p>
<p>My D2 socializes with a very diverse crowd. Diverse by race, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, religion, place of origin, and life goals.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at Oberlin. She has a picture on her facebook with her friends at a dinner. One South American, one Mexican, one German, one Italian, one New Yorker and my D who is from the rural South. And her roommate is Asian. I can’t imagine a more integrated circle. She has many, many international friends and is even planning to live abroad next winter session with one of her European friends.</p>