A social status is a label that defines and what identifies the unique qualities a person has. Social status can have different names with different meanings and actions that make a person carry that particular status. The social status a person carries can have either a positive or negative impact on how people see and act around that individual. The status will describe what people see or know about someone. .
When someone has a status of being an international student it can make life difficult. It is not just at a social status because I look different from the normal American students who are living in the dorms and are taking part in my classes. My peers dress in a variety of styles of clothing and accessories, and I dress in a style of class, and presentation. The language can be a barrier between myself and students I interact with in everyday life.
My social status is worn everywhere I go, and people react in a way of fear, and uncertainty when they see me. I walked into the library, and wanted to ask about a book I needed for a research paper topic, and the librarian has a hard time understanding what book I was looking for. I do not believe the librarian intended to make me feel uncomfortable, and I was not sure how else to communicate to her in a way she would understand the title of the book I needed.
My classmates hold a social status of tutor, school president, and mentor. There are only a few other students who hold my social status title as international student. The students that are in my dorm take learning, education, and friend status for granted. It is harder for me to learn and understand the education properly with a language and communication barrier that I have to work with. Friends are more complicated to make because of my social status, but the students who do not share my same status have many friends, and show no problem in this area. “A social status will define a person because it identifies who and what they are in the eyes of social surroundings” .
If I could start over and begin my social status I would do a few things differently. I would be more aware of the way people dress, and try to fit in. I would also learn the language better to ensure people can interact with me. I would try to fit in and make friends from my very first day of being an international student. If I would have done more research of the college, people, and style then I would have fit in better. If I started my social status over knowing what I know now it would have been better. I would have transitioned more comfortable, and been able to socialize easier.
Reference
Ridder, J. (2016). Culture. Division of Student Affairs, 1-6.
