<p>First of all, in no way do I (intentionally) wish to discriminate against anyone's race, class or socio-eonomic status. I just need somewhere to vent.</p>
<p>Basically, my dad is a (non-U.S) ambassador. we just arrived here a couple of months ago just in time for, you guessed it, me to join college. I call myself a global nomad, having lived in different countries and generally living a middle class life. </p>
<p>But, when I came here, the only colleges my dad can afford are public ones. Nothing against them or anything (I've been in one for a semester now) but I'm finding it extremely difficult to fit in. Most of my friends are from working class families, and are just getting by on financial aid. I, however, am very comfortable in school, do not need a job at the moment, and basically, i just want to have a 'traditional' college life and more importantly, be around a more international crowd. What makes it worse, is that I live in NY where the colleges where i would find such a crowd are too expensive. Need I mention, I don't qualify for any aid or international student scholarship...</p>
<p>Am I being selfish by wanting to be around a crowd that is middle class like me? I know I can learn a lot from where I am, but I can't help this building frustration.</p>
<p>Please help. p.s i dont want to move out of state.</p>
<p>I know your situation. Having had a rather international life, I know it is very hard for many people in this country to relate to someone with a more global perspective. Not out of lack of kindness, rather, it is just hard to fathom. And that is not necessarily confined to class. </p>
<p>My brother grew up overseas, went to school in the middle of the country after only having spent summers in the US. College was an adjustment, as I've noted that it can be for many ex pat kids. They're learning a culture, as well as leaving home. At any school, public or private. Your school may be more of a cultural difference than you bargained for, but you'd likely have a degree of it anywhere. </p>
<p>Have you checked out the other NY state schools? I'd think each might have it's own character, and perhaps one might be a better fit, in terms of international population. I don't know these details for NY, though I'd certainly recommend the state school in my town as having quite an international community. And others are far less diverse, if offering a good education. </p>
<p>You attitude sounds quite good, quite open, if understandibly frustrated. Might there be other places besides school where you could find some kindred souls, at least for now?</p>
<p>You seem to know exactly what I'm talking about...even my parents don't understand why I want to move. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, I search on the internet everyday, and thankfully, being a freshman, I can easily transfer to another college. I'm currently looking at SUNY Stonybrook</p>
<p>Students in school tend to judge me before they know me, being African and all, but I'm happy to say that I've corrected a lot of the stereotypes that are out there about Africans. </p>
<p>Besides church, other expat kids and school, I haven't ventured any further, but now that you have mentioned it...</p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>As you say, you're doing some good for world understanding in your current situation, but you need a little more personal reinforcement. Maybe check on the threads for Stonybrook and other SUNY schools here on CC, run some assessment of international ambience. </p>
<p>Just a wild guess-I knew a foreign student attending Penn State. As it is not that far from NY, you might want to check that one out. </p>
<p>Best wishes in your search!</p>
<p>Are you sure you don't qualify for any need-based financial aid? I'm the daughter of two European diplomats (though neither is an ambassador), and I was offered generous need-based aid from three of the four schools that accepted me. Unless your income is outrageously high, it's worth looking into.</p>