How I Made Friends in the U.S. as a Nepali Undergraduate Student
When I first moved to the U.S. from Nepal, I didn’t expect to find people I could truly connect with—at least not the way I did back home. Back in Nepal, I had a close-knit circle. We knew each other’s rhythms, inside jokes, and life stories. Leaving them behind felt like leaving a piece of myself.
To make it even harder, I started Bentley University in the spring semester. By then, it seemed like everyone had already formed their friend groups. I remember walking around campus thinking, “Did I miss my chance? Will I ever find my people here?”
And to top it off, I didn’t know a single other Nepali student on campus.
At first, that really threw me off. I wasn’t sure if I could form deep friendships with people outside my culture. I wondered, “What if they don’t get my humor? My background? My values?”
But over time, I realized—real friendship isn’t about shared ethnicity. It’s about shared energy, values, and vibes. That shift in perspective changed everything.
Freshman Year: All About Trying Too Hard
Freshman year felt... chaotic. I was everywhere—every student event, every club meeting, trying to talk to everyone. But if I’m honest, I wasn’t really connecting. I was chasing quantity over quality.
I didn’t want to feel alone, and in that rush, I ended up feeling lonelier than before.
Sophomore Year: Letting Go & Letting People In
Once I finally felt a little more settled, something shifted.
I stopped trying to “network” and started being more myself. That’s when I slowly began to meet people who got me—people I could talk to for hours, laugh with until my stomach hurt, or sit in silence with and still feel comfortable.
The friendships I built then? I still talk to those people every day.
They became more than just “college friends”—they’re my chosen family.
Lessons I’ve Learned
Don’t force it. Friendships built on pressure rarely last. The genuine ones grow naturally, without needing to impress or overthink.
It’s okay to feel lost at first. I had moments where I thought I’d found “my people,” only to realize later it wasn’t real. That’s part of the process.
Vibe > Background. Some of my closest friends today don’t share my culture, my language, or even my taste in food—but we just get each other.
Energy attracts energy. When you stop pretending and just show up as yourself, the right people will find their way to you.
If You’re Still Looking for Your People…
Please know you’re not behind.
Your story isn’t late—it’s just unfolding.
Take your time. Put yourself out there when it feels right.
Say yes to a few things. Say no when you need to.
And remember: the people who are meant to be in your life won’t need convincing—they’ll just get you.
Bentley didn’t just give me an education.
It gave me friendships I never expected—but now, can’t imagine life without.
