Starting school can be very intimidating, especially if you're a foreign student still trying to navigate the local culture. Many international students even cite social life as their primary concern before starting school abroad, over academics or other aspects of student life.
Dorm Life
Social life at many U.S. schools revolve around dormitories. While not every school has a dorm culture, most schools offer on-campus housing, and it's often recommended or required for first-year students. Living with other students is a powerfully social experience, and it can bring people together in a short amount of time.
There are endless ways to bond with others when you live on campus. You might invite your neighbors over for an activity like a movie or board game night, or join dorm-wide events in the lounge hosted by the residential staff. Remember, everyone is trying to make friends, just like you! This makes a college dorm the perfect place to step out of your comfort zone and make connections.
Greek Life
Greek life includes fraternities and sororities, which is a culture unique to U.S. schools. (And don't worry, you don't have to be Greek! The only thing Greek about them is their names.) Every fraternity or sorority usually has a set of rituals and cultures specific to them, so make sure you do your research before you join.
Fraternities and sororities have a reputation for being party-centric spaces, and this holds true at most schools. However, pre-professional fraternities/sororities are also common, bringing people together with similar career interests: business, law, marketing, and so on. If you want a community where you can socialize and network at the same time, this may be a good option for you.
Student Organizations
Student clubs, especially sports and creative pursuits like a capella and theater, are extremely popular in U.S. universities. These clubs usually recruit at the beginning of the year and vary in commitment level, ranging from attending one meeting a month to meeting several times a week and traveling together on weekends. Even if you’ve never played a sport or played an instrument, many clubs will be open to beginners, so don’t sell yourself short.
At schools with a vibrant club culture, there's a community for just about anything. Case in point: Georgetown University has a "Georgetown University Avocado Club": GUAC! Student organizations are a great opportunity both for finding people who share something you're passionate about and branching out to try something new. Good luck!
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References:
Kyle Hammalian
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