I grew up in a community that was 30% Asian American and so most of my friends were Asian American as well. I tended to have more non-Asian friends than a lot of my Asian American friends, so I didn’t pay much attention to colleges’ Asian American scene when choosing colleges. Now that I am in college, I find that there is a lot that I miss, like just some of the jokes that were shared among the Asian American community. Even non-Asian American people often found themselves involved in some of these things. Yet, at my college now, there are definitely Asian American people but it is not the same. The overall campus does not have Asian American frats/sororities to get involved in, and although I am a part of my school’s Asian American Club, it is not the same at all. My friends attending our state school are deeply involved in the AA community there.
I know that this is probably what the rest of the country is like (as Asian people make up 6% of the population) but I can’t help but wonder if other colleges have bigger Asian American scenes than mine and that I made a mistake choosing this place. Am I being ridiculous?
It’s not ridiculous to want to continue being part of a culture you are comfortable with - cultural fit is super important (a lot of companies still don’t get this, but I digress). You probably used other criteria to select your school (location, major offerings, etc.), not realizing that culture was as important to you as it seems to be. A quick look at the school demographics and a scan of the types of clubs and organizations would probably have given you a better picture, but that is water under the bridge.
The Asian representation at my kid’s school (UC Berkeley) is prominent (about 1/3 of the students) - a large enough population of anything will tend to have more of an influence on the population as a whole. As to how “Asian” those kids are (or what you define as such), there’s a range, as some are international students, some are first generation, some have families who have been in this country for generations and have assimilated more (maybe what you are experiencing at your school).
Perhaps the Asian Americans at your school are just that - more “American” than Asian. In assimilating, you lose some of what makes your culture unique.
You’re not being ridiculous. I didn’t think I particularly wanted a Jewish community until I got to college. It can definitely be nice to continue taking part in your culture, but it can also be a learning experience to hang out with people of different backgrounds and not be so ‘in the bubble.’
No I don’t think so. I grew up (and still live) in a very Portuguese American community. At my high school about 90% of the students had some Portuguese blood in them. We had a handful of Asians, and maybe 5 black people in the whole school. Since I myself am 100% Portuguese I never felt like, I don’t know, an outsider? My culture was everywhere. If I made a Portuguese joke most people would have gotten it and laughed, it was just that type of neighborhood. You could talk about your crazy Portuguese grandma and another kid would say his grandma was just as wacky and how they both shared the same traits.
When I got to college (it’s even in the same area, just outside of it) I met 0 Portuguese people. Most people at my college are black, or they’re just regular white people.(usually with English or Irish blood). I must say that’s the only thing I miss about high school is I felt like I belonged somewhere regarding my culture. So I mean I get you! I think it’s totally normal to feel that way. It can be a rough feeling depending on YOUR thoughts and emotions, but it also helps you become more open to other people and learn about their culture/way of life.
@thepeeps1 Who’s going to cheer on Fernando Daniel with you? My kids soccer club is Portuguese. I don’t always understand what people are saying but we always feel welcome.
@loease It’s a learning experience. Now you understand what is important to you. A new perspective. We are white but my oldest son always finds an Asian community to immerse in wherever he goes since he was young. Just try to make good friends.
@gearmom Haha! Trust me I wish. I’m glad they are welcoming towards you though! The other day in my lecture hall I mentioned Ronaldo and no one knew who I was talking about…ouch.
@thepeeps1 Weird. Not even Ronaldo. My mom grew up near a NE Portuguese fishing village. The guys would be out playing soccer. This was in the 50s. Rare for America back then.
I grew up in a state where 0% of the students were from my country and so I never had the experience of “fitting in with my culture”. Approximately 5% of people knew my country existed, and only 1% knew where it even was. I am applying to an overload of schools in Boston and New York where there are enormous established communities of people from my country. I’ll finally be able to attend the celebrations and events and jokes that I missed out on in my childhood. I’ll find people who know exactly what I’ve lived through. It’s the closest thing I have to actually moving back, and I am so so so excited.