| American colleges and universities are known | | | | international students I play soccer-or football. We |
| throughout the world for their exceptional | | | | put together a team for that purpose." |
| research and teaching facilities but there is more | | | | Of course, if you are not athletically inclined, you |
| to college than hitting the books. Although | | | | can still join the fun. Cheering your team on from |
| students are expected to meet the academic | | | | the sidelines can be just as exciting as scoring a |
| demands of their classes, educators throughout | | | | touchdown or winning goal. Even Raouf, who |
| the United States are increasingly encouraging | | | | admits he is not that interested in this aspect of |
| them to satisfy their emotional, physical, social and | | | | college life, finds himself watching college |
| spiritual needs as well. | | | | basketball with friends during the peak season, |
| By immersing yourself in American culture and | | | | known as March Madness. |
| participating in a surprising range of social and | | | | Join a Club |
| extra-curricular activities, you could earn much | | | | Social clubs bring people with similar interests |
| more than a degree. You could establish enduring | | | | together and provide much-needed breaks from |
| friendships and gain experiences that will benefit | | | | studying. During orientation, your school will |
| you throughout your entire lifetime. You will also | | | | provide you with a list of the different clubs |
| enjoy an incredible opportunity to share your | | | | operating on campus. Since there are hundreds of |
| culture and traditions with people from all over the | | | | clubs on most campuses, it may be difficult at |
| world. | | | | first to decide which ones to join. |
| Get Connected | | | | Many students find it helpful to attend a few |
| The importance of supportive friends and | | | | events or meetings before they commit to any |
| advisors cannot be underestimated. When you | | | | particular group. They may also drop in on several |
| first arrive on campus you may feel isolated and | | | | different clubs until they find the ones they like |
| alone, especially if you have traveled to the United | | | | the best. They may even find that their reasons |
| States without family or friends to accompany | | | | for joining a club change over time. |
| you. | | | | Initially, Raouf joined the Arab Student |
| Saned Raouf, an international student from Jordan | | | | Organization at Yale in order to meet people but |
| who is currently enrolled in his freshman year at | | | | he soon found himself taking on more and more |
| Yale University, urges students to "remember | | | | responsibilities, eventually becoming an officer on |
| that the American students are really in the same | | | | the Board of Directors. He also began writing |
| position." Even if their families are not so far | | | | letters to the editor of the campus newspaper. |
| away, he points out that "in the beginning, all | | | | Now he's interested in writing longer articles for |
| students are very apprehensive and unsure of | | | | publication. |
| how to act or adapt to college life and classes. | | | | Whatever your interest, there is bound to be a |
| You are not alone!" | | | | club that meets your needs. Among your options: |
| Raouf was fortunate. A friend of his brother lived | | | | engaging in the arts by joining the drama club; |
| nearby so he knew someone who could help him | | | | raising money for non-profit organizations through |
| settle into the United States and become familiar | | | | a fraternity like Alpha Phi Omega; meeting people |
| with its customs. If you do not know anyone | | | | from around the world through the international |
| near your campus, you do not have to worry. | | | | students' association; or serving on your student |
| There are a number of programs and services | | | | government. |
| available to help you make friends. At the same | | | | Student governments in particular enable you to |
| time, you will be shown around the campus and | | | | develop and fine-tune leadership skills. Many |
| given links to your host community. | | | | oversee budgets in excess off US$1 million in |
| Find out what programs are available at your | | | | student fees. They also liaise between students |
| school and take advantage of any opportunities | | | | and campus administrators. All of which is |
| that present themselves. You will ease into college | | | | invaluable to anyone hoping to pursue a career in |
| life more quickly and enjoy the experience a | | | | management. |
| whole lot more. | | | | Serve Your Religious Community |
| Attend an orientation session | | | | Many international students stay connected to |
| All schools offer orientation programs to ease the | | | | their culture and faith by participating in religious |
| transition to college life. These vary widely, | | | | programming and services. Meeting with other |
| incorporating everything from half-day, on-site | | | | students and community members who share |
| information sessions to weekend camping trips in | | | | your beliefs and traditions can help alleviate |
| nearby parks. | | | | feelings of homesickness. It can also ease your |
| Most orientation programs, however, share some | | | | transition to college life. |
| common objectives: articulating academic | | | | Many private colleges and universities allow |
| expectations; outlining appropriate behavior; | | | | religious groups to hold weekly meetings and |
| introducing students to faculty; and coordinating | | | | special events on campus. Check with the Dean |
| social events where students can get to know | | | | of Students to see if there are any suitable |
| their peers. Raouf, for example, initially met a lot | | | | religious offerings available at your school. If there |
| of his friends through a series of orientations that | | | | are not, explore places of worship nearby. The |
| were coordinated by Yale's International House. | | | | US is highly diverse, with a high number of faith |
| Form a relationship with an American host family | | | | communities and places of worship, including |
| Many schools also offer host family programs, | | | | Muslim, Bahai'i and Christian among others. |
| which match international students with local | | | | Explore Your Community |
| families. These programs vary from school to | | | | Do not hesitate to explore the community |
| school. Some provide housing while most simply | | | | surrounding your campus. The US is vast and |
| extend opportunities for students to visit the | | | | varies greatly from region to region. Depending on |
| families' homes for meals, especially during | | | | where you settle, you may find yourself near |
| traditional American holidays like Thanksgiving. All | | | | mountain ranges, the desert or the ocean. |
| offer a unique opportunity to experience how an | | | | Reading break and other holidays present a great |
| American family lives, providing a rich | | | | opportunity to put your textbooks aside and |
| cross-cultural exchange and, in many cases, | | | | enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. Your school |
| leading to rewarding, lifelong friendships. For many | | | | most likely has a club that organizes camping trips |
| students, the opportunity to spend time with | | | | or day hikes. You could also plan a trip on your |
| families-including grandparents and | | | | own or with a group of friends. |
| children-alleviates some feelings of homesickness | | | | And, do not forget to check out the nearest |
| and helps them feel less isolated from their own | | | | cities or towns. Travel guides and local |
| family. | | | | newspapers are good sources of information |
| Take advantage of mentoring and tutoring | | | | about local attractions, including art galleries, |
| programs | | | | science museums and restaurants. Other popular |
| On campus, international students can gain further | | | | gathering places for students are movie theaters, |
| support through services designed to meet their | | | | comedy clubs, concert venues, cafes and |
| academic and social needs, including peer | | | | swimming pools. |
| mentoring and one-on-one English as a Second | | | | Some people, however, find everything they need |
| Language tutoring. It can be especially helpful to | | | | on campus. Raouf admits that "Mostly I have |
| have someone explain unfamiliar English words or | | | | stayed on campus; there is so much to do." Like |
| phrases as well as pop culture references. | | | | Raouf, you may see little reason to leave the |
| Join a study group | | | | campus. Doing so, however, will help you |
| Many international students also choose to join or | | | | experience America in a different way. Ask your |
| create study groups. Predictably, students who do | | | | friends to recommend their favorite places, in |
| so earn higher grades; they also tend to have a | | | | addition to discovering new interests you may |
| healthier outlook and find their classes more | | | | gain new experiences to share with your friends |
| enjoyable. This isn't surprising. Study groups are | | | | and family back home. |
| an effective way to meet people who share | | | | Get Involved |
| similar interests. They also provide a forum for | | | | Once you have become familiar with your new |
| sharing ideas, comparing notes and preparing for | | | | home and have settled into a routine, consider |
| exams. | | | | finding ways to contribute to the community. |
| Ideally, a study group should have a group leader | | | | Volunteerism is an important part of American |
| as well as a designated meeting time and place. | | | | culture. By volunteering your time, you will gain |
| (Many campuses enable students to reserve | | | | new skills, valuable work experience and personal |
| rooms on campus. Other options include libraries, | | | | satisfaction. For many people, volunteering is an |
| dorm rooms and cafeterias.) Everyone in the | | | | emotionally rewarding experience. They take pride |
| group should contribute equally and the experience | | | | in knowing that they have made a positive impact |
| should be fun and rewarding for everyone. | | | | on the environment or on someone's life. |
| Share your culture and traditions with peers | | | | Raouf agrees. When he first arrived at Yale, his |
| Finally, most schools feature minority and | | | | dorm organized some volunteer activities. He took |
| international guest speakers, film festivals or | | | | part and enjoyed the experience, which was |
| concert series in order to expose all students to | | | | entirely new to him. |
| diverse cultural experiences. By getting involved | | | | It is not hard to get started. The Office of |
| in-or even initiating-some of these events, you will | | | | Student Affairs, or a similar department, on your |
| be able to sample foods and cultural traditions | | | | campus can provide you with a list of student-run |
| from around the world while introducing your | | | | organizations seeking volunteers. These may |
| peers to authors or filmmakers from your own | | | | range from large, established organizations like |
| country. | | | | Amnesty International or Oxfam to smaller |
| Some of the events you are likely to find on | | | | groups that address humanitarian causes, |
| campuses throughout the US are Holocaust | | | | environmental concerns or other issues. If you |
| Remembrance Week, Women's History Month | | | | would like to work on a number of different |
| and African American History Month. These | | | | volunteer projects, then a service club like Circle |
| cultural celebrations provide an enlightening | | | | K may be an ideal choice for you. |
| experience for all students and offer international | | | | You can also meet community leaders and gain |
| students in particular a close look at the diverse | | | | valuable work experience by volunteering for an |
| nature of America's population. | | | | organization off-campus. Two of the most |
| As you immerse yourself in your new | | | | established organizations in the US are the |
| community, explore this diversity. Reach out to as | | | | American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty |
| many people as you can. And, although it may | | | | to Animals (ASPCA) or Habitat for Humanity, a |
| seem less intimidating to introduce yourself to | | | | housing mission which brings groups of students |
| students with a similar background, try to strike a | | | | together to build homes for people in need. |
| balance between the familiar and unfamiliar. | | | | Getting Fit for Education |
| At Yale, Raouf has observed that a number of | | | | It may seem tempting to focus solely on your |
| his peers primarily associate with other | | | | school work when you first arrive in the US. |
| international students. Over time, he has | | | | After all, that is why you traveled so far from |
| established a healthy mix of friends from the US | | | | home. Academic advisors, however, would advise |
| and the Middle East as well as other parts of the | | | | you to resist that temptation. |
| world. In fact, he currently lives in an apartment | | | | American campuses are vibrant places filled with |
| with two Americans; he met one in his dorm and | | | | innumerable opportunities for learning and |
| the other in a class. | | | | engagement. By meeting your physical, social and |
| Acknowledging that he was apprehensive about | | | | spiritual needs you will be better prepared to |
| meeting new people at first, he offers this advice | | | | meet academic demands-and you will enjoy your |
| to other students in a similar position. "I think that | | | | classes much more. |
| you can try meeting some other international | | | | Despite the pressure to study night and day, |
| students first-if you feel like you have more in | | | | studies have found that students who lead |
| common with them-before branching out to meet | | | | well-balanced lives perform better in school. And, |
| more people throughout the university." | | | | employers are increasingly hiring well-rounded |
| Find your school spirit | | | | individuals with varied experiences and interests. |
| School spirit abounds on American campuses. And, | | | | To get the most out of your American education |
| as any student will tell you, there is always | | | | strive for a healthy lifestyle. You will be able to |
| something to do. From varsity games to | | | | study longer and more efficiently if you eat well, |
| fraternities and sororities, from service | | | | get sufficient sleep and exercise regularly. |
| organizations to religious services, there is a club | | | | Most schools provide students with complimentary |
| or program to satisfy all of your interests. | | | | access to gym facilities and equipment. Take |
| Athletics | | | | advantage of it. Thirty minutes of cardiovascular |
| Sports are a big part of American life; they | | | | exercise performed four times a week will relieve |
| contribute significantly to the American economy | | | | stress and help you stay mentally alert. If you do |
| as well as its culture, especially baseball, American | | | | not like the gym, try running, cycling or swimming. |
| football, soccer (European football), basketball and | | | | As for sleep, medical professionals advise |
| hockey. | | | | students to get nine hours of sleep per night, |
| College and university campuses typically offer | | | | however, most students admit they rarely sleep |
| three different levels of athletic competition: | | | | for more than seven hours. |
| varsity teams, intramural teams and club teams. | | | | Raouf admits that it can be difficult to manage |
| The most elite athletes perform at the varsity | | | | your time and meet all of your obligations when in |
| level, which requires intense tryouts, a rigorous | | | | school. When asked what he likes to do in his |
| practice schedule and serious commitment. At the | | | | spare time, he responds with good humor: "I feel |
| other end of the continuum are intramural teams, | | | | like this is so silly, too typical of a college guy, but |
| which are created solely for fun and fitness. | | | | really, it's sleep! I feel so exhausted that any time |
| There are no coaches nor are there any tryouts. | | | | I can I try to catch up on my sleep!" |
| Club teams exist somewhere in between; this | | | | The decision to pursue an education in the US is |
| level is often the first stop for students | | | | not for everyone. College life is both physically |
| interested in playing at the varsity level. | | | | and mentally exhausting, but it offers huge |
| When asked what role sports play in his life, | | | | rewards. Just remember: the more you invest |
| Raouf jokes: "Only the obvious. Like all the other | | | | into the experience, the greater the return. |