Participating in Campus Life
Seek out fellow students with similar interests. You may find them in your classes or laboratories, but there are other options, too. Most colleges and universities offer a wide array of clubs and organizations representing many student interests. You will find cultural and religious associations, sports teams and sports clubs, volunteer service organizations, fraternities and sororities, student government, academic societies, music and theater groups, a student newspaper, and, on some campuses, a student radio or television station.
If you want to enhance your leadership skills, you will find numerous possibilities on campus, whether you choose to run for student-government office, lead an international student club or other campus organization, organize the activities of the international living center, volunteer in the community, or lead a volunteer group. All these opportunities give you a chance to meet others and work with them on issues that matter to you. That’s the best way to develop friends.
If you are bringing your family to the United States, you may find that your social life revolves around your children, their school, clubs, and activities. Many foreign students live in college or university housing provided for families, and this arrangement can develop into a close community of people in similar situations. You may trade babysitting chores or participate in activities with other families that give you the chance to develop friendships.
Some colleges and universities in the United States offer host-family programs that provide an opportunity for you to develop a social relationship with Americans in the community surrounding the university. Host-family programs can expand your knowledge of U.S. culture, help you discover new friends, and give you a chance to teach Americans something about your country and culture. If you choose to participate in such a program, you will visit your host’s home occasionally, attend special events in the community, or go on picnics and outings. Your host family may invite you to attend church with them. It is not impolite to decline such an invitation if you would prefer not to attend religious services different from your own.
[Degrees of friendship][Practicing your religion]
[Table of Contents]
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?