My First-Year Experience as an International Student

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Finding Community and Purpose at Purdue


Hey there! I'm Shannon, a first-year engineering student from Singapore—a tiny but beautiful country near the equator, where it’s a toasty 75–95°F all year round. So, imagine my surprise when I first stepped onto campus and, just two months in, the chilly mornings had me reaching for my heaviest coat!


Where is Singapore? (Kumar, 2025, Singapore location map)


Starting at Purdue as an international student was quite an adjustment. The campus felt enormous, the weather was brisk and unfamiliar, and the windy walks between classes (sometimes reaching 30 mph!) were definitely a challenge. Yet amid the cold, there were countless small joys—watching squirrels dart playfully across your path, hearing the band play as the Boilermaker Xtra Special rolled by, or simply sitting under the trees as their gold and red leaves drifted down. With pumpkins decorating every corner and seasonal treats in the dining halls, campus always felt alive in new and exciting ways.


Squirrel nibbling on a nut (left); Boilermaker Xtra Special (Right)

Even with these little joys, finding my place in a community as large as Purdue took time. My family and friends were more than 10,000 miles away, often sleeping while I was awake. Cultural differences and my quieter personality made connecting with others a gradual process. Meanwhile, many of my peers were landing internships, coops, and attending impressive conferences, while I was still learning how to navigate the new academic system. The unfamiliar credit structure and new teaching styles were challenging, and at times I wondered how I could keep up. Did I even have a place here? Would I ever fit in?

Yet, even with these struggles, I decided to press on. I started going to monthly Women in Engineering Mentors & Mentees meetings with no expectations and attended as many social gatherings as I could fit in my schedule. Hearing other women share about their struggles, and trading advice on managing stress, made all the difference. They helped me spot red flags I had not noticed before, catching them before I headed toward burnout.

Eventually, I learned that it was not about doing everything — it was about choosing the things that really mattered to me. Clubs and organizations that matched my rhythm and purpose, student groups and mentoring programs where I could gain new perspectives or advice from upperclassmen, helped me feel connected. The mix of collaboration, learning, and personal connection made campus feel more like home.

I learned to slow down. To say no to activities that, though interesting, would have stressed me out more than added to my college experience. To be intentional with my social life — reaching out to peers in my classes to hang out over dinner, grabbing boba with friends, or joining fun activities like pumpkin carving, movie nights, or casual games with dorm mates. These little moments brought warmth and connection, helping me feel more at home on the chilliest days.

Pumpkin Carving

What I’ve learned in my first year (so far) is this: college isn’t about doing everything perfectly—or even about doing everything at all. It is about finding your people, your purpose, and the experiences that make you feel like you belong. Whether it’s a club, a project, or just a weekend event on campus, there’s a community ready to welcome you—and opportunities to grow that go far beyond the classroom. It may take a while, and like me, perhaps you will stumble. But somewhere, somehow, there will be a place just for you.

Shannon Yip, ME '29

Recruitment Project Committee

 

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