You might feel overwhelmed as an international student arriving to college in the United States. It’s hard to see how you fit in when you first walk through campus. You hear dozens of foreign languages and see a sea of students from many countries around the world. My transition from Indonesia to Davis was one of the biggest cultural shifts I’d ever faced. My first reaction was, “How will I survive here?”

Before I came to UC Davis, I felt that the ideal way to connect with other people was to abandon certain aspects of my culture and accept new ones that were considered common social norms. I soon learned that the best way to develop a network was not to attempt to fit in — but to share my unique background and recognize everything UC Davis offered. After I realized this, it was easy to go from “How can I survive here?” to “How can I thrive here?” Here are two tips that helped me thrive as an international student in college.

1. Know what your university offers

One of the most crucial resources that positively impacted my transition was when I got paired with a student at the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program, or GAMP. This UC Davis program matches you with another student trained to mentor international students in an intercultural setting. We met every Friday for lunch, something I liked both for the food and for the conversation. Whether I sought academic advice, struggled to adapt to life in the United States, or needed someone to confide in, my mentor was always available. One of my favorite memories with him was when he shared English expressions and metaphors that he came across. Every small bit of chit chat helped me feel more at ease and confident in the unfamiliar environment.

I also found a second home in PERMIAS (the Indonesian student community club) at UC Davis. I vividly recall one of their events my first year where I was able to meet other students with similar roots to mine and eat some Indonesian food. That experience made me feel far more at home, and now as an officer of the organization, I feel even more connected with other members. This community not only made Davis seem like home, but it encouraged me to do new things, like traveling outside of California with friends I met through the group.

2. Know what you offer your university

After my first year, I decided to become a GAMP mentor. I now guide new international students as they transition to life at UC Davis, in the same way my mentor guided me when I first arrived. I’ve also formed lasting friendships with other mentors, supervisors and people I mentored along the way. 

Being an international student, you don’t only learn to adapt but also to share. My unique background allows me to contribute different perspectives in discussions and often initiates deeper conversations. What begins as a simple exchange of ideas develops into meaningful connections — a vast number of my classmates are now some of my best friends.

Thrive as an international student

I benefited from every resource, person and opportunity at UC Davis that helped me grow, but I found my place when I began to share my own journey. I learned to build a network; you need to be true to who you are and own your story. This acts as your bridge to others and is what makes a university feel like home.