<p>Hi Guys,</p>
<p>As the title says, how is freshman life in Columbia for an international student? Are they well integrated into the campus social life or is there a degree of ethnic segregation and stuff? I have my mind set on Columbia and will probably be applying Early Decision this fall. I just want to well have some sort of reassurance that the campus is not like very preppy or fratty if you know what I'm talking about...</p>
<p>Cheers</p>
<p>Good question. I would also like to know what the presence of international students is like at Columbia.</p>
<p>you’re in a new country, it’s going to be weird and you will have to assimilate a little. Columbia is very diverse, internationally, socio-economically and racially so relative to other universities, it is one of the easiest places to fit in. new york also helps a huge deal, within a few weeks, so can merge in and seem like an local, for the most part, because “local” is very broadly defined. There are several kids at columbia who would be interested in your background and would excitedly ask you questions about your home country (sometimes ignorant ones) but at least they are curious and well-intentioned. Please keep your accent, and have it become stronger the longer you stay at Columbia, people around you will enjoy it.</p>
<p>Thanks for that. Yeah NYC is one of the main factors why I love Columbia too, helps that I have visited it as well a couple of years ago. I’ve gotten those ignorant but well-intentioned questions when I go to the US. </p>
<p>I live in a pretty american setting so I do have an american accent which I usually prefer when talking to americans or in debates etc…Yeah but I also have my ethnic accent and I was stopped for security checks in airports before for it lol. I’m not quite sure I get your point about the accent thing. What do you mean when you say, “have it become stronger the longer you stay at Columbia”?</p>
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<p>ah nothing, it’s just a small point. But what I do mean, is that international kids come in with a bunch of quirks about them, these clearly separate you when you come in, and you can either choose to conform or you can choose to keep those things that define you. If you conform you will make friends slightly faster because no-one notices you or thinks you’re weird. If you are yourself, a few might make fun of you for it in the beginning, but people will like you much more later on, because you have stayed yourself and you are your own personality. </p>
<p>The temptation to conform is one that you should try to partially avoid in the beginning. This advice is more pronounced for internationals, but also true for American first years. </p>
<p>The thing about Columbia is that there is actually no standard to conform to, groups of people are socially and culturally very very different across campus, when you are in a group you might feel that this is the norm, but there isn’t a norm. Conforming is usually a function of low self-esteem and people will eventually realize and like you less. People with high self-esteem become broadly liked and known with time, they usually succeed during college. These people stay themselves, take risks and support others.</p>