As a first-gen Chinese American student who's been at NYU for a few years now, I've started noticing some things that international Chinese students do around campus that kinda bug me. Now, before anyone jumps on me, I know it's not cool to generalize, and I'm not saying every Chinese international student is like this. But, I've seen enough from my personal experience that I wanna share.

This semester, in my texts and ideas core class, which the majority of the students are chinese international students, there's been a lot of talking in chinese during group work, kinda leaving everyone else out that cannot speak chinese… And it's not just that. Some of them seem to have zero chill with the professors and TAs, constantly glued to their phones texting on WeChat and not involved during class. My TA during recitation was quite frustrated when they constantly go on their phones and talking Chinese loudly to their friends despite given several prior warnings… its so disrespectful and rude, It’s like they’re in their own world.

And man, the flexing with luxury and designer clothes is on another level. It's like they're heading to a fashion shoot, with full on makeup, just to go to class. Most of my international chinese friends are buying luxury cars… living in luxury apartment buildings… and are out partying every week. It seems like some treat studying here more like a never-ending vacation, splurging their parents money... Again, not everyone is doing this, but it’s hard not to notice. I’m all for people having a good time and enjoying life, but when it comes to classwork and respect, it feels like some of them just aren’t here for it.

Although I can understand a little bit of chinese but unable to speak it proficiently. The weirdest part for me is when they find out that I cannot speak chinese (since I am born in the US that grew up speaking Cantonese). The vibe totally changes… like I’m suddenly treated differently. One time, It was quite obvious that a group of them gossiped behind my back in chinese and talked down to me when they realized that im chinese but couldn't speak chinese with them. There were many other occasions where they treated me poorly and gossiped in chinese behind my back. It's kinda isolating, not gonna lie. Plus, I’ve noticed that they mostly stick to their own people, which is completely fine…. Because everyone has their crew, but it feels super exclusive…

I’m just wondering, why come all the way here if you’re not gonna dive into the whole NYU experience? Isn't part of studying abroad about meeting all kinds of people and trying new things? English might not be everyone’s first language, and that’s totally understandable… but its frustrating when they only stick to their own and look down on non-chinese students.

Again, I’m not trying to bash on anyone. I’ve met some of the most hardworking and amazing chinese international students from all over. It's just these few things I've noticed and it's kinda getting to me. Anyone else feel this way or am I just seeing things? Would love to hear your guys thoughts!