For many students, attending college is the first time they’ve been away from home. Adjusting to a new environment can be a social and cultural shock, but colleges are full of clubs and communities that can help you feel more at home. Whether you’re looking for more of your culture on campus or are curious about other cultures and communities, there’s a space for you! In this article, we'll show you how to connect to your culture in college.

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Join a cultural or affinity group on campus

Many colleges have student-led culture and affinity groups that meet, plan campus events, and go on outings together. Groups like Black Student Union, Latinx Club, or the campus LGBTQ+ club exist to hold space for people wanting to connect with and learn more about different cultures. While these groups have historically united students of similar identities to bond over their interests and experiences, you can typically join any cultural club you want in college—even if you don’t identify with that culture. Not only is this a great learning experience, it’s also an opportunity to make new friends!

Find groups and events in your community

There’s always something interesting happening in a college community! Join local Facebook groups and follow Instagram accounts for clubs and organizations in your area that interest you. When they post about an event you want to attend, grab a friend and go!

Play an intramural sport

If playing sports was a way you expressed yourself and made friends back home, join an intramural sport in college! Intramural sports allow college students to play sports for fun and for free. You can typically find sign-ups for intramural sports online or in person at your school’s Student Union Building.

Find food in your community

Starting to miss home-cooked meals? Grab a friend and find a local spot around campus that serves your favorite food. If you can’t find anywhere that serves it, why not cook it? Gather some friends, buy the ingredients, and use your dorm’s kitchen to cook the food that reminds you of home!

Find a place of worship near you 

If you connect to loved ones through your faith, try finding a local place of worship in your area. Just enter your zip code into one of the links below to begin:

• Christian Church Finder
• Mosque finder
• Synagogue finder
• Catholic Church finder
• Buddhist Temple finder
• Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) finder

How do you connect to your culture while in college? Let us know by texting #Hello to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!