How to make friends with American students?

snowstorms
Wed, 12 Sep 2018 23:29:55 +0000

I am an undergrad international student from India, attending college in America. It’s been a few weeks since college started, yet I don’t have any American friends. My only group of friends consists of fellow international students (mainly Indian, a few Chinese, and a couple Koreans).
Long story short, the main reason why my parents were ready to pay 60k+ to attend college in the U.S. for undergrad education was so that I could make friends with different races. I hope to travel a lot after I start earning, so being able to click with people from other countries or races is a good skill to have. In fact, my parents had warned me before I left for U.S. that they would not pay for my U.S.A. education next year if I didn’t befriend Black, White, and other race Americans.

Here in India, honoring wishes of parents is very important. I have tried to socialize with Whites and Blacks at the dining hall and playing fields, but they do not seem very interested in being friends with me. It cannot be my English as I have always scored 100 marks on almost all my English exams, and 90+ marks on the oral exams. I watch a lot of American movies, and have read American novels. I do have a heavy accent, but not too thick.
Could it be my interests? I am a somewhat reticent and nerdy fellow, as I am very much into watching cartoons, playing video games, and watching sci-fi movies. This is very dissimilar to American students, who like sports, music, and parties.

I am very puny and weak, so sports clubs on campus is not an option for me. I don’t really understand American music lyrics, so I don’t listen to it much. Although jazz music is appealing to my ears… I wouldn’t mind attending a few parties though, as long no alcohol is served.

I honestly don’t know what to do, or what I am doing wrong. My relatives back home suggested that I speak to a therapist so that I can learn techniques to make White and Black friends. Should I do that? Don’t get me wrong, I very much like my fellow international student friends, but I would also like to be friends with Americans.