Why Everyone Needs Community and How to Find One

 

Being home makes it easy to forget that we are home. The presence of our families feels routine and our friends are not out of sight. Home feels like home because we do not have to look far to seek relational comfort – it is typically all around us. But for most international students who have to leave home, that comfort seizes to be as readily close, and as tangibly present. 

Humans are social beings, even the introverts among us crave some minimum level of social contact. It is human to laugh, cry, sing, reflect, and it is perhaps even more human to do all of that with someone else. When you are far from home, away from those you love, who can you do life with? How do you meet this deep human yearning to know and to be known? Through community. 

Higher education can be challenging. At the University of Michigan, we call ourselves the leaders and the best for many reasons, including the fact that our academic programs are rigorous. Thus, it goes without saying that for all students at Michigan, including international students, there might be tough times, academically or otherwise. In those difficult moments, you need your community to rally around you. So, how do you find one? 

Being new to Ann Arbor, and an international student, you are probably going to be told (a million times) to join a student organization, and you should. But, your time is a precious commodity, and hopefully, this blog post can help you think through which community to invest it in. 

Firstly, this might sound a little obvious, but you should think of your classmates as potential friends, and maybe really good friends. Often, we make friends with our classmates organically and don’t think much of it. However, thinking of the possibilities with this group of people might cause you to listen better, be more open to organizing and participating in group hangouts, and generally having a more collaborative experience in the classroom. 

Secondly, consider joining an affinity group. These are groups of people bonded by a shared identity.  Be it nationality, language, sexuality, race, or professional interests, folks who are already like you in some profound way, abound at the University. Do some googling and you will find them. Affinity groups present an excellent opportunity to plug into a group that does not feel foreign, although you are in a foreign land. 

If you are a religious person, find a faith community. I cannot recommend this enough. For many, spirituality is a crucial way to stay grounded in a chaotic world, and communal worship is a deeply intimate shared experience. 

Finally, look beyond the university. Consider joining nonprofits, volunteer and affinity groups for Ann Arbor residents. These folks often have strong ties to the community, and you don’t have to worry that they will graduate and move away. Stability is important, this might be one way to find it. 

Written by Alfred Momodu

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor

Graduate Student

Nigeria