As the nation’s No.1 ranked public university, UCLA is known not only for its outstanding academic excellence and vibrant campus life, but also for the opportunities offered that tend to intellectual, professional and personal growth. Located in the heart of Los Angeles and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the campus always feels alive, with numerous events taking place each day.
Among these opportunities, creating lasting friendships and building meaningful connections is very important, which, naturally, may seem a bit overwhelming to navigate at first. The concern of making friends may be anxiety-provoking for new students; there are, however, countless opportunities available to build friendships. I’ll share a few resources on campus that I hope will be helpful to you the way they have been beneficial for myself and the people around me.
1. Joining clubs
UCLA has more than 1,200 clubs and student organizations, which create various opportunities to be engaged on campus, expand your knowledge and skills in areas you are deeply passionate about and connect with new people. Usually, these clubs will try to recruit new members around campus by setting up booths or hosting various fun and engaging events to spark interest and build community. Attending events and becoming a member of a club may become a very enriching experience for you. Many clubs host weekly or biweekly meetings where members, alongside with their board, collaborate on various projects and come up with new events to help with the cause of the club. These experiences may not only be very helpful for developing communication and teamwork skills, deepening your knowledge and helping you explore your interests, but also become a chance for you to grow personally, gain leadership experience and build long-lasting friendships. Many students may choose to become a member of various clubs or even create clubs of their own, which can definitely help you become more involved on campus and expand your network.
2. Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars
The Dashew Center is designed to support international students, and as stated on their website, their aim is to promote the values of “creating global connection, international understanding and cultural sensitivity.” The center frequently hosts a variety of fun events with the aim of bringing students from various diverse backgrounds together, creating a space that fosters connection and friendships. Some of the events include outdoor, engaging activities, lunch hours, coffee hours, live music events with refreshments and food, comedy hours and more. One of their largest and most popular events is known as World Cafe, which features cafe drinks and snacks from around the world. Attending these events may not only be a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the globe and learn more about their cultures, but also to find meaningful friendships that will enrich your university experience and last a lifetime.
3. Attending events on campus
UCLA hosts numerous events that offer truly a fun time, delicious food, great music and the opportunity to meet new people. The UCLA Events website is a great resource for discovering upcoming events and attending those that align with your interests. These events include a very wide range of activities — from sports and music to educational events and beyond — offering students an abundance of choices and opportunities to engage with others. For new Bruins, there is the True Bruin Welcome event, which is a week of fun activities and programs to explore and learn about the campus while meeting new people.
4. Be yourself and do not be afraid of approaching your classmates
It is completely understandable that approaching new people — especially when you might have a fear of not being accepted or unintentionally creating an awkward moment — may seem scary. However, it is also important to acknowledge that these feelings are more common than you might think, and you’re certainly not alone in experiencing them. Many students share the same worries, and feeling this way doesn’t reflect negatively on you. In fact, it simply shows that you care about connection and belonging, which is human and valid. UCLA fosters a welcoming environment for creating friendships; talking to classmates and studying together may also be a way to engage with others outside of campus events. Being open to new connections is key and can truly make a difference to your experience as a student.
Wishing you luck in your college career, and you got this!
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Featured Image via Daily Bruin Archives
