When I transferred to UB as a sophomore, I was petrified. I left St. Bonaventure due to its size and lack of diversity to a larger school that, in numbers, seemed like the place for me.
I wasn't extremely popular at Bonas, but I made a lot of friends. I had been accepted into their Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and was fortunate enough to walk into my freshman year with a set group of friends, a majority of whom were minorities from the tri-state region like myself.
I recall my first day at UB and looking around for that group of friends like the ones I had at Bonas, but they were nowhere to be found. I then turned where anybody in my position would turn: the Internet. I searched all over for organizations and clubs at UB geared toward Latin Americans for the simple fact that I wanted to belong.
My first semester at UB, I spent my time watching groups of people similar to those friends I had at St. Bonaventure and finding myself envious of what they had because I missed my friends. This envy settled into resentment because I couldn't manage to find the friends I thought I needed.
As my sophomore year ended, the realization hit me. Growing up in an all-Latino neighborhood and then being blessed with the friends I had at Bonaventure had brainwashed me into thinking I was meant to be surrounded by people who looked like I did or came from the same place I was from. It prevented me from wanting to learn about how other people live and I now realize I pretty much lived with social blinders on.
I'm glad I snapped out of that when I did.
There's nothing wrong with having friends in the same culture. Common interests are essential when building a foundation with anybody. But writing off others solely because they don't look like the type of people you'd expose yourself to defeats the purpose of going away for school.
For those of you like me, who come from the tri-state area (NYC, LI, NJ) and are experiencing culture shock, don't let it turn you away from making new friends. Many of you came to UB to get away from certain social situations and to learn not only about future career goals, but also about other cultures.
Buffalo is a different world, but that's what makes it great. You get the beauty of a city in the downtown district, while at the same time experiencing a stereotypical suburban lifestyle.
I remember the first time I wandered into Cheektowaga, Williamsville and Amherst and teasing my friends about how it reminded me of the scenery on "Leave It To Beaver." I never thought that world existed, but it was an eye-opening experience to see that it does.
Your friends at UB will never be your friends from home. Your friends at home will never be your friends from UB. But to avoid people just because they're not whom you're used to being around is no excuse.
Get out there, meet new people, grow up, have fun.
Bienvenidos.
Email: elva.aguilar@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
