My Life at Yale: A First-Year International Student’s Story
When I first got my acceptance letter from Yale University, I could hardly believe it. Coming from a small town outside India, I had always dreamed of studying abroad, but Yale felt like something from the movies—too big, too far, too perfect. And yet, here I am.
From Home to Yale: The Big Journey
The journey to Yale started a long time ago. In my final year of high school, I decided to apply to U.S. colleges. I took the SAT exam and worked hard on my English. I also had to write many essays — not just about my grades, but about who I am. I wrote about my love for books, storytelling, and how literature helped me see the world in a bigger way.
The application process was not easy. I had to get letters of recommendation from my teachers, fill out many forms, and also show my TOEFL score (an English test for international students). After months of waiting, one night I checked my email and saw the letter: “Congratulations! Welcome to Yale.”
My whole family celebrated. I cried, laughed, and felt scared all at the same time.
When the day finally came to leave for the U.S., I hugged my parents tightly at the airport. It was my first time flying alone, my first time leaving home for so long. I had two heavy suitcases, a backpack full of dreams, and a heart full of nervous excitement.
First Days at Yale – New Home, New Life
When I arrived in New Haven on a warm August morning, everything looked like a movie. Tall old buildings, green trees, students walking with books in hand—it felt unreal.
Yale welcomed us with something called “International Student Orientation.” For four days, before the American students arrived, international students like me had workshops and fun events to help us understand life here. We learned about the American education system, how to open a bank account, even small things like how to do laundry!
I was placed in Morse College, one of Yale’s 14 beautiful residential colleges. Every student here belongs to one, and it becomes your second family. Morse has its own dining hall, library, and even its own traditions. It didn’t take long for me to feel at home.
Studying Arts and Humanities
I chose to study Arts and Humanities because I love stories—stories from books, poems, history, and even different cultures. My favorite class is “Introduction to American Literature.” We read everything from Walt Whitman to Toni Morrison, and the discussions are lively and full of respect.
Here, it’s not just about memorizing. Professors want you to think, question, and create. In one project, I even got to write my own short play! At first, I was nervous speaking up in class, but soon I realized: everyone’s voice matters here.
Life Outside the Classroom
Food here surprised me—in a good way! Every dining hall has many options, including vegetarian dishes. When I miss home, I cook with friends in the shared kitchens. I also joined the “Yale South Asian Society,” where we celebrate festivals like Diwali and Holi.
Weekends are full of little adventures: walking in downtown New Haven, watching plays, visiting art galleries, or just reading under a tree in the famous Beinecke Library.
Making American friends was a little slow at first. I was shy. But slowly, through group projects, clubs, and college events, I found my people.
Finding My Place
The first few weeks were a rollercoaster. I missed my family, my food, even the noise of my hometown. Some days I felt lost. But Yale offers so much support—peer mentors, advisors, counselors—someone is always ready to listen.
Today, when I walk across the beautiful Old Campus, I feel proud. Proud that I dared to dream, and proud that I am here, building a new life one day at a time.
Final Thoughts
Yale is not just a university. It is a place to grow, to fall, to rise, and to dream even bigger. Every day here teaches me something new—not just about books, but about people, about cultures, and about myself.
If you ever get the chance to study here, take it. It will change your life.
