Finding Home Away From Home | Tips for Making Friendships on Campus by Jiazhen Miao

 Finding Home Away From Home | Tips for Making Friendships on Campus

By: Jiazhen Miao

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Student
Serbia

Moving to a new country for college is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. As an international student, you're adjusting to a new culture, navigating an unfamiliar campus, and building a support system from scratch. One of the biggest challenges isn't academics, but finding meaningful friendships. When I first came to the University of Michigan, what I imagined my college experience would look like ended up being very different from what I actually enjoyed most. Looking back, I'm glad I kept an open mind, because some of my closest friendships came from opportunities I never expected. 

Though it sounds simple, the best way to find your people is just by being at the University of Michigan, and exploring everything this university offers. Browse the university's events calendar, Happening @ Michigan, keep an eye out for posters advertising activities, or even stop by the public library, where I was surprised by how many interesting events you can uncover. Many campus events offer free food, drinks, or giveaways, making them fun, low-pressure places to meet new people. Maize Pages is another great resource, with thousands of student organizations and events to explore. Whether you're interested in sports, volunteering, art, entrepreneurship, or cultural organizations, there's likely a community waiting for you. I’ve personally met one of my best friends on a bus stop on a mundane trip back home from class. You never know what to expect, and though that might sound scary, just know you will always have more to gain by trying and putting yourself out there.

Example of a post for an event on Happening @ Michigan

Meeting new people is just the first step. Maintaining those friendships is the harder part. Joining a club that genuinely interests you is one of the easiest ways to build lasting connections. Festifall is a great opportunity to explore organizations early in the semester and find a community where you'll regularly see familiar faces. After getting to know the people at different clubs, continue regularly attending meetings to build a relationship with those same people you enjoy spending time with. Since college schedules don't naturally overlap the way they did in high school, friendships also often require intentional planning behind them. Invite someone to grab dinner after class, study together before an exam, or walk to class if you're heading the same way. Finding something you guys can do together every week helps create low-pressure interactions that gradually become part of your routine.

Because the university’s large size can be intimidating, it can feel tempting to only spend time with students from your home country or those who share your cultural background. While those friendships can be comforting, don't limit yourself to them. One of the best parts of attending the University of Michigan is that its size lends you to being surrounded by people from all over the world. Just as you would appreciate others taking an interest in your culture, take the opportunity to learn about theirs. Embracing different perspectives makes college far more rewarding and helps create friendships you might never have expected.

Finally, remember that everyone is searching for their community, even if it doesn't always seem that way. Putting yourself out there, especially every day, can feel overwhelming in such a big crowd, but every conversation and every event is an opportunity to meet someone new. Keep an open mind, embrace what makes you unique, and don't be afraid to take the first step. Before long, you'll find that the University of Michigan isn't just where you study, but where you'll find a home away from home.