867: College Disorientation
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A quick warning, there are curse words that are unbearped in today's episode of the show. If you prefer a beeped version, you can find that at our website, thisamericanlife.org. From WBEZChicago, it's this American life. I'm a manual berry filling in for our glass. Okay, school's back. Come with me now. We're going to Tempe, Arizona. Hello, guys. Can I have your attention? Guys, guys, guys. Arizona State University has set up everything you can think of-- karaoke, scavenger hunts, axe throwing, a mechanical bowl-- to help new students meet each other and make friends. I must pray to one more! This is International Student Orientation. There are almost 400 new students here from India, China, and lots of other countries who arrived here alone looking for any excuse to make a connection. Like these two uncomfortable-looking guys, Nile and Soud. One wears an ASU cap, the other has stylish black glasses. They both have braces. They talk to my co-worker, Mikimik. We just met right now. You guys just met out. Yeah, we just met right now. We clicked. What made you guys click? Huge stand there alone. I was standing there alone. So, you know, I was thinking, I'm like, "Should I go? Should I not?" It's hard to make yourself go up and say hi. Yeah, a bit, you know, but then I decided to, yeah. So, you know, I just went up there, I just said hi, asked him what his major was. Did you feel any relief when he came up and said hi? Yeah, of course. There's a thing that I really don't like about myself that I don't really greet people or approach people. I need people to approach me. But at the same time, I really want to meet new people, but I don't know how to do that. Over 1 million students from all around the world study in the United States. ASU has over 14,000. Standing near the mechanical bowl is Anushka and her newly-made friend, Krisha. Both from India, both computer science majors. How many friends do you think you've made today? So, like, probably my Instagram increased for, like, 100 followers or something today. How about you? How many friends have you made today? Do you feel like? I feel like it's like 10, 15, 20, I'm giving like a rough idea, bro. You guys are saying 100. At least I'm giving a reasonable number.
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