<p>I am a student currently studying in an American school in Hong Kong. I have been taught American history, ideals, etc. And I'm very familiar with American pop culture. Will I blend in to the student body effortlessly even though I am from the other side of the world? Is it different in a school with a 6% international student population than in a school with a 15% international pop.?</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>
<p>FYI I speak fluent english and I’ve been told that by other Americans.</p>
<p>bump 10char.</p>
<p>Few people who go to live in a foreign country blend in “effortlessly.”<br>
Nobody can predict how hard it will be to adapt. You might love it from the get-go, you might have reservations, or you might find you dislike American culture. A friendly personality and an open-minded attitude help. Some universities have a huge population of Asians, and you might find that more comfortable.
It’s not always easy for domestic students to find a niche, either.</p>
<p>As I said, I am VERY FAMILIAR with american culture. So I am practically the same as domestic students, except that I am and look Asian.</p>
<p>Judging from your other posts, I get the impression you won’t assimilate very well at all.</p>
<p>no i just act like this on the internet because nobody knows me here. in real life i am very normal dw:)</p>
<p>most of the international students do not fit in on campuses. Most stay at the international dorm and hang out with similar background friends. Even the ones who think they know American culture are surprised when they see what college students can act like with international students. Most international students study hard and keep to themselves.</p>
<p>I was once an international student arriving in a not-so-international campus (230 out of ~15000 students, grad + undergrad).</p>
<p>From my experience, I’d say that most important thing is that YOU decide to “blend in”.</p>
<p>Most American students are not particularly interested in your home country or your cultural background, not because they are stupid or inconsiderate; but just because they live in a big country whose language is World’s most known and Americans are already used to the idea of diversity (be it religious, ethnical, political, geographical) within their own country (by the way, one of the things that make US such an interesting place…).</p>
<p>Universities will usually put International students together with some “internationally minded” Americans (students who’ve chosen to live there) in specific housing/hall/floor. This can be very helpful, as you might found help with small nonetheless important practical matters, from “where are the parties” to “what is Thanksgiving” and “what are the basic rules of (American) football?”.</p>
<p>However, it is mostly up to you get yourself out and “integrate”. If you come from a country with a large presence of students in your campus, you’ll probably be tempted to stick with them. They won’t look strange when you eat everything with chopsticks, they’ll speak your language and laugh at same local comedians, someone will probably feel lonely and date you etc. I’d recommend you, though, not to be too involved with them, otherwise, you will look like “the foreigner” and they will just passively ignore you. </p>
<p>In this sense, do not expect American students to keep inviting you to parties, gatherings, night outs, dinners and Wii matches if you either (1) will attend only if other people from your country are algo going, or (2) is always seen in a bunch of likewise international students speaking a language other than English. I can understand how intimidating it might be to be to have a floormate whose dorm is always filled with people whose loud music and conversation you have no clue about.</p>
<p>If you want to be really nice, I’d go for speaking English even when you are with follow nationals in dining hall, elevators, shuttle bus, parties. It will give Americans an opportunity to join you.</p>
<p>I’ve NEVER heard of an international dorm, we definitely don’t have those at any of the colleges I’ve been to. A lot of my good friends in college have been international students so apparently they’re not too isolationist. Though I do bet that there are a LOT that are surprised when they get here I don’t know that I’d say most don’t fit in. I’ve had international student friends who have fit in at my college better than I did. :P</p>
<p>“If you want to be really nice, I’d go for speaking English even when you are with follow nationals in dining hall, elevators, shuttle bus, parties. It will give Americans an opportunity to join you.”</p>
<p>I think that’s a good point, too. I love hearing about the different countries people are from because I’ve never traveled and I am always curious what they think of America and especially their perspectives about what we are studying, etc. I am in a chinese politics class that has a lot of chinese international students in it and I would LOVE to know what they think of what our professor is saying but they are almost always speaking Chinese and I have no idea if they are talking about something where it would be appropriate for me to interject something about the class. I have never spoken a word to those kids no matter how often I bump into them on campus because I can never tell what they are talking about.</p>
<p>im an international student in the states and I’ve blended in very well and made lots of friends. I also know a lot of other international students who have blended in nicely, but at the same time I know a lot international students who aren’t enjoying it here. Especially those who don’t speak such good english and don’t make an effort to get to relate to americans… Even though I think many of the americans in my college are ****ing ■■■■■■■■, I still hang out with them cuz it’s fun telling them how stupid they are.</p>
<p>If you’re a girl you prolly won’t find a guy you like cuz the guys in the states have no idea about fashion or anything lol… if you’re a guy, you’ll be surprised by the amount of sluts and casual dating that goes on.</p>
<p>I’ve been to America a bunch of times, to LA, Vegas, NYC, Boston, and DC. And I’ve interacted with many Americans. And I even did a summer program here. I didn’t feel out of place at all during my conversations with other Americans at the camp. </p>
<p>And also, since English is my best language, I pretty much only speak English to everyone, no matter if they are American or foreign. Wow, I would not want to be put in an ‘international dorm’ when I’m in college. I think I’d feel more out of place there than in regular dorms. </p>
<p>So do you guys think I will fit in?</p>
<p>Well, based on your other thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/789667-americans-think-theyre-best-everything.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/789667-americans-think-theyre-best-everything.html</a> you come across as beyond ignorant and arrogant…actually i thought you were joking but sadly, you’re not. Go around making dumb comments that are borderline racist (yes, black people can be american too!) and no one will take you seriously.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of an International dorm though, they would just place you with everyone else. Most people are pretty welcoming toward International students, i’ve never heard of any hostility.</p>
<p>To be blunt, a lot of International students, especially the Asians, tend to cluster in their own little groups and not talk to anyone else, and often only speak their native language except when they have to speak English…honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that and i can understand holding onto your own culture, but naturally those people end up with fewer American friends. I’ve seen so many people come here from China or India and only befriend other international students from China and India.</p>
<p>Borderline?</p>
<p>haha. that thread was as a joke. im actually very sensible in real life, believe it or not. and nobody who knows me would call me arrogant. hahaha</p>
<p>It’s not really a very funny joke. That kind of a sense of humor won’t make you many friends.</p>
<p>Americans hate foreign international students. We have a ritual in my college, where if any international student approaches us whether to ask a question or in an attempt to befriend us, we track them down and that night we kidnap him/her and tie him/her naked to the biggest tree on campus. We just hate those foreigners especially the ones from HONG KONG, we torture them the most. SO BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID!</p>
<p>Many campuses have an International Dorm or International House. Where else do the grad students get to live, not take showers and chain smoke in their free time?</p>
<p>^ lol true</p>
<p>based on your previous thread:
</p>
<p>…I’m gonna go out on a limb and say no</p>