<p>I'm been thinking about applying to UVa because it's one of those "great-fit" schools for me, but I'm from Illinois, so just wondering what it's/was like adjusting to your new home in Virginia. Is it a friendly atmosphere, almost a home away from home? I know it must be different for everyone, but generalities will do.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s great, but it’s less of an adjustment from other east coast cities. I had friends from all over, it’s a gorgeous campus, and it’s a great high-quality medium-large state school. You can always come visit if you get in (or before you apply if you have that time/money).</p>
<p>My older D went there. Loved it. Her younger sister is there now. She loved it. We are from NJ.</p>
<p>The number of international students at UVa has greatly increased. In addition, UVa is more geographically diverse than it may appear from the statistics. That is because many of the students from Northern Va. actually are originally from other parts of the US or other countries (such as India, El Salvador and S. Korea).</p>
<p>^^I agree with charlieschm. I’m an alum and I’m originally from Chile, but graduated high school in NOVA. My close friends in college were, for the most part, Colombian, Peruvian, Nicaraguan and Turkish–all international students. There are so many international students from Turkey for example that they have Turkish parties (where they serve really good drinks); Colombian students from a particular high school in Cali; and Nicaraguan students who all studied at the American Nicaraguan School in Managua.</p>