Being a person of color in a PWI (predominantly white institute) can be hard at times. Believe me, I know how it feels. Before college, I went to one of the most diverse schools in my home state. Coming here was a culture shock. It’s difficult to really fit in because many people stare, or everyone seems to have their own group of friends. Relationships can be hard to find because it feels like don’t fit into the “beauty standards”. Sometimes, you’re embarrassed to eat certain foods, listen to songs, or wear clothes in fear of being made fun of by other students. Although I have experienced situations where I felt out of place or awkward, just know that it usually won’t stay constant for the entire four years of college (many people have different experiences so it would be wrong of me to say that you’re guaranteed to not feel out of place during your college experience). Throughout the 2.5 year of being here, I’ve met many students who are welcoming and make you feel like you belong, despite the types of students that stare at you. I was able to join clubs like the United Cultures Organization and meet people who have experienced similar situations of not fitting in. Again, many PWIs are different so there are students who have gone through much worse scenarios. If you are fortunate enough to attend a school with LEGIT organizations or safe spaces for people of color, don’t hesitate to go to them because most of time they can help you more than you think!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Scranton chapter.