<p>Hello! I am an Asian international student who was just admitted to Vandy this fall.
Since I have experiences living Oregon and southern California, plus traveling to some states on the east(MD, DC, NY, CT...) as well as Michigan, I would say I have some ideas regarding the geographic + demographic diversity presented in the US. </p>
<p>I understand that Vandy/Nashville would be relatively 'white' and the international population might be a bit less diverse when compared to west/east... However, my major concern comes from the majority- domestic students. I would like to know in general, is Vandy campus atmosphere welcoming, and would domestic students like to make friends with int'l students? I mean, I don't constrain myself only within 'Asian bubble', and since I don't want to label myself with anything, I usually won't have the intention to make friends by attending certain, for instance, religious groups. (no offense at all. I am very respectful and open-minded, but I also admit I had some unpleasant experiences before- esp. when ppl showed kindness to me simply out of religious purposes.) I've met awesome people and made great domestic (n' of course int'l) friends everywhere, and I am sure if I did attend Vandy, I would be fine. But I am still curious to hear different opinions. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>You have nothing to worry about. People who choose to integrate themselves into the Vandy culture get integrated just fine-- students here are just like students at any other top school, regardless of their nationality or skin color!</p>
<p>Okay. Im an Asian international student who had never been to the U.S before I came to Vanderbilt, so I believe that my experience might be helpful for you.
To address your question, let me say that label and typecast exist everywhere, including Vandy. Even in your post, when you say that Vandy is relatively white, somehow you are categorizing the students, right :)? There is no problem with that. We all categorize people and things to navigate ourselves in the world. And in Vandy, I can say with confidence to you that categorization about races plays very little (if at all) role in your lives at Vandy.
I have a group of close friends coming from all parts of the world, both international and domestic. We eat dinner with others almost everyday and play games with each other in weekends. Most of us are non-partiers. Still, I have very good relations with my floormates to go to party. For example, in the family weekend in the first semester, one of my floormates (who rush) introduced me to his mother, who knew through my floormate that Im an international student and my parents could not visit me. She hugged me and said that she hoped that compensated for my parents absence… Thats just one of many great moments I experience here…
Still, Vandys openness does not mean that when you come, every other student is prepared to hug you and invite you to play games with him/her. And I guess if you are nerd-type, you actually dont want too much interaction, right? Still, I believe that what is unique about Vandy is that the student body is so diverse that you can almost always find a niche, and people here are less likely to discriminate you if you are different. If you treat your Vandy peers with respect and care, it is very likely that they will do the same.
I even believe that international background will help you in your integration. When I say I come from Asia, my friends always become curious and ask me lots of questions. Thats how any relation begins, right? My friends and professors here, they are all very appreciative of my different background.
If you come here I bet you will be surprised by how cooperative the community is.
I hope that you will join our beautiful community next year :D.</p>