What Out-of-State and International Students at UMass Amherst Want In-State Students to Know
By Leila Metres
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Going to a state university when you aren’t from that state is challenging and wonderful all at once. You have to adjust to a different city, school, weather, politics, slang, and cultural norms, all often without having the support of family and friends nearby. Furthermore, over 72% of UMass students come from Massachusetts, making this a potentially isolating experience. As I write this, out-of-state American students at UMass Amherst make up 19.8 percent of the undergraduate population, and international students form an even smaller portion (just 7.8 percent).
For me, the time I felt most conflicted about being in Massachusetts for college was after the election in 2024. A lot of UMass students understandably expressed disappointment, fear, and uncertainty about what the next four years had to offer. However, some Massachusetts natives took it as an opportunity to double down on a sense of state superiority, saying things like “at least we’ll be protected here,” and referencing Massachusetts being ranked the most educated state in the country. They seemed to want to scapegoat “uneducated red states” instead of actually trying to understand or reach out to those communities.
Growing up in Ohio, I know that many people don’t hold the same views that our state ends up voting for, and gerrymandering really impacts our election results. It made me wish that more people understood how politics works in those states, and how many kind and hardworking people come from places where our governments don’t serve us as well.
I decided to talk to some fellow out-of-state students to hear about their experiences going to school in Massachusetts, specifically what they wished in-state students knew.
Ainsley Hileman, a student from Kansas, says the main thing she struggled with was moving by herself.
“Sometimes parents can’t fly to UMass, so figuring out how to move out by myself, and finding a place to keep everything for the summer while finals were going on was a challenge.”
However, she is really grateful for the opportunities that going out of state for college has given her.
“Overall, it’s nice to experience something other than Kansas, and I would suggest going out of state to anyone who has that ability and wants to have a bit more independence in college.”
This is a great reminder that even though there can be difficult parts of going out of state, college is the perfect time to live somewhere you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.
Another thing that out-of-state students want you to know is how much harder and more expensive it is for us to visit home.
“There were a lot of times when some of my friends would be going home for a long weekend or just a normal weekend, and when I would say that I’m not going back till Thanksgiving or Christmas, they kind of made me feel guilty for not going home sooner.” Val Jimenez, a student from New York, says.
“But my parents don’t have the time to pick me up every couple of weeks nor do I have the money to go back by bus every other weekend.”
Being an international student adds a whole different level of novelty. I’ve been able to get to know a few international students through athletics, and learning about that experience has opened my eyes. There are many added complexities, not only with language barriers, but also cultural differences, for international students.
“I wish American students understood that growing up in another country means we come to college with a completely different background, in how we learn, how we communicate, and how we see the world.” Jana De Raedt, a student from Belgium, told me.
“Coming here isn’t just about adjusting to classes in a new language; it’s learning a whole new culture, sometimes without support close by. It can be exhausting to constantly translate not just words, but ideas and social norms.”
There’s so much more for international students to digest on a day to day basis than we may realize!
Jana also talked about how American students could support her.
“I sometimes was more quiet or unsure…not because I don’t care—because I was still learning how to belong. A little more patience and genuine curiosity can make all the difference.”
Another international student, Esra de Bruin from the Netherlands, said, “I wish American students knew how valuable it is to slow down, enjoy life outside of school, and see education as more than just grades. In the Netherlands, learning is more about balance, curiosity, and becoming a well-rounded person.”
Esra further explained, “As an international student, I see university as a place to explore who you are, not just what you want to do for work.”
She also spoke about the importance of making “time for connection.” In her words, “Coffee with friends can be just as valuable as a study session.”
One of the things that makes college so formative and eye-opening is learning about diverse perspectives and people. Not only have I gotten to explore Massachusetts, but I’ve gotten to know just how different growing up in another state (or country!) can be. My freshman year roommate from California blew my mind when she told me her high school’s hallways and lockers were outside. Going forward, I want to make it a point of emphasis to discover more about various people’s backgrounds. I hope this article inspires you to do the same.
The last student I spoke with, Alysia Spencer from New Jersey, encouraged out-of-state students to “embrace change” and “find your community.” Even though you might be “a minority in a sea of ‘I’m from right around Boston,’ you’ll learn so much about yourself and others around you.”
If I could go back, I would choose to go out of state again without a doubt in my mind.
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Leila Metres
Leila Metres is a communications assistant in Commonwealth Honors College.
