What is it like to be an international student at American college?

<p>I am a junior in high school now and I don't know if i should apply to colleges here in US because i am from Eastern Europe, have a bad Russian accent and people don't even consider me white. I feel like once they hear my accent they don't want to get to know me... I don't if it is possible to have fun in college here since Americans, especially white, consider me a poor immigrant(which I am not btw, i am going back to ukraine and my parents are very successful) and not worth talking to... I feel like people will never consider me equal... and i don't like that</p>

<p>HS students are generally more judgmental and less mature than college students, by way of their age. Anastasia, even though you mayn't be accepted now, I'm sure there are lots of great colleges where you'll feel accepted. <3</p>

<p>I have an accent</p>

<p>girls think it's "cute"</p>

<p>total plus points I tell u!</p>

<p>I've been an international high schooler for a long time, and yeah, there is discrimination from lame kids, but the amazing kids are awesome</p>

<p>and there are lot of amazing people</p>

<p>it's about finding them</p>

<p>I know several international kids here, with strong accents, that have done great.</p>

<p>I'm sure other internationals can give you good advice, but I'd suggest-</p>

<p>Be social with everyone and make friends. Seek out people of all backgrounds.</p>

<p>Don't think everyone is judging you or something - they aren't - but thinking that can give you many anti-social behaviors.</p>

<p>Why would people think your poor? Doesn't follow ... especially since you're not even, so why would you care. Hell, no one will judge you for being "poorer" anyway - if they do they are tool bags.</p>

<p>College/ university is a lot better than high school, in all regards.</p>

<p>"I have an accent</p>

<p>girls think it's "cute"</p>

<p>total plus points I tell u!</p>

<p>I've been an international high schooler for a long time, and yeah, there is discrimination from lame kids, but the amazing kids are awesome</p>

<p>and there are lot of amazing people</p>

<p>it's about finding them "</p>

<p>Some accents are more desirable than others. It's not the same to hear a person with a French accent than someone with an Indian accent.</p>

<p>I would think a Russian accent would be extremely desirable, haha</p>

<p>In fact, I've heard from a lot of guys that they think Eastern-Bloc girls are the sexiest, Russian, Estonian, Latvian etc. So no trouble in that department!</p>

<p>^that's nice to hear :) (I'm a girl from Estonia)</p>

<p>Yeah, it's fact that our girls are the sexiest and the most beautiful in the all world. (I'm from Latvia). I've read somewhere that in some colleges students are divided in ethnic groups, is it right or big ********?</p>

<p>It's all in your head, no one actually cares. I'm actually intrigued when I hear a chick with an eastern european accent. Why would people think that you're not white? Because you don't look scandnavian? You're not giving people enough credit.</p>

<p>^ scandinavia is norway, sweden, iceland, denmark, not eastern europe...sorry just had to say that. :p</p>

<p>Anastasia, your experience will be what you make of it. Like many internationals, you can cluster yourself in a group of people who look/act/talk/eat just like you (i've noticed a lot of asian/indian people doing this). But i don't think any mature person, even a teen would make fun of you for an accent. Unless it's a really ugly accent. people might have difficultly understanding you when you talk, so you'll have to repeat things, but likely they'll do the same for you. Other than that....it's about your personality and people skills.</p>

<p>Hahahaha! pmvd I totally agree with you!</p>

<p>Hahaha pmvd. I totally agree with you.</p>

<p>I have the same thing (as in Im a student from Holland that might possible go to US or Canada for college) and I've had the same concerns for a while but i guess its what you make of it. There will be people who make fun of you for whatever reason. Ull just have to hang out wid the more mature ones ;)</p>

<p>
[quote]
^ scandinavia is norway, sweden, iceland, denmark, not eastern europe...sorry just had to say that.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>yeah I know... you misunderstood what I said.</p>

<p>ah I get what you mean now, sorry.</p>

<p>European accents like Dutch or Russian don't sound strange at all to me. Here at NYU it wouldn't even be out of place, we have so many internationals. In a small homogeneous college you might stand out though, but unless your accent is so thick no one can understand you, or a generally ugly accent (sorry south asians :)) it won't be bad...so good luck.</p>

<p>if you go out of your way to be friendly and can make good convo, I think you'll do well, and you'll be kind of "exotic" and interesting at the same time. Of course you'll need to be understood, but judging from your activity here, I don't think you'll have that problem. However, don't be self concious about this. There is a girl at my school from Russia, she's pretty, has an accent, but is kind of shy, and doesn't smile much, and hasn't expanded her social circle. But I've seen a girl from Denmark, while not eastern Europe, succeed socially, but she's also "foreign." Just be interesting and outgoing.</p>

<p>However, this may depend on the college. With smarter kids, you'll have more success. With kids of lesser intellect, it will be harder, as they'll be more closed minded.</p>

<p>“Some accents are more desirable than others. It’s not the same to hear a person with a French accent than someone with an Indian accent.”</p>

<p>hey pmvd how about you go choke on a french man’s ****?</p>