"I thought you were an international student..."

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  Apr 07, 2012 7:08 PM GMT

  I hate that.
  
  I don't know about you, but I always get perceived as an international student at my college simply because I'm Asian. And then the moment I open my mouth and speak perfect English, people are like, "Woah! I thought you were an international student, so I didn't think you could speak English."
  
  Of course, not everyone here judges people like this. Many of the international students at my college group together with other international students, so they get stereotyped as "outcasts" and people who don't branch out to meet others.
  
  And then it gets even better when they find out I'm gay; it's as if you can't be Asian and gay ...but I'll stop right there.
  
  Maybe it's just my current location, but this gets extremely tiring. Sorry for that little rant. I feel a bit better now.

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  Apr 07, 2012 7:54 PM GMT

  Considering the internet and education are global, Asians are the majority...by a long shot. You should tell the haters to STFU because globally speaking, they're the minority.

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  Apr 07, 2012 7:59 PM GMT

  Even in big metropolitan locations, you're still going to encounter a lot of ignorant people. Next time someone says they thought you were an international student, say the same thing back to them. And say you thought they were French or German or something.

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  Apr 07, 2012 8:30 PM GMT

  Ignore the dbags. That, or start trolling them. Make up a country and tell them thats where you're from.

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• calibro
  
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  Apr 07, 2012 8:46 PM GMT

  it has to do with where you are.

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  Apr 07, 2012 9:29 PM GMT

  ^
  This. It's a state college thing; you'd find fewer international exchange students at better universities:
  
  http://www.hopelesstoharvard.com/international-students/overseas-international-students-college-admissions/

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• austex85
  
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  Apr 07, 2012 9:43 PM GMT

  eagermuscle said^
  This. It's a state college thing; you'd find fewer international exchange students at better universities:
  
  http://www.hopelesstoharvard.com/international-students/overseas-international-students-college-admissions/

  
  
  if 16–25% is 'fewer,' what's it like at the state schools you're talking about??
  
  http://colleges.findthebest.com/q/1929/1271/How-many-international-students-go-to-Harvard-University-in-Cambridge-Massachusetts

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  Apr 07, 2012 9:48 PM GMT

  haha. good point.
  
  

  austex85 said

  eagermuscle said^
  This. It's a state college thing; you'd find fewer international exchange students at better universities:
  
  http://www.hopelesstoharvard.com/international-students/overseas-international-students-college-admissions/

  
  
  if 16–25% is 'fewer,' what's it like at the state schools you're talking about??
  
  http://colleges.findthebest.com/q/1929/1271/How-many-international-students-go-to-Harvard-University-in-Cambridge-Massachusetts

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  Apr 07, 2012 9:52 PM GMT

  haha opposite situation for me....i AM an international student and no one ever asks me if im international lol.. wheres my international recognition damnit? lol
  
  

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  Apr 07, 2012 9:56 PM GMT

  At my university, caucasians are the minority, and Asians are the overwhelming majority.

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• nooceansleft
  
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  Apr 07, 2012 10:22 PM GMT

  I'm white, in Australia, with a normal accent, and I had someone think I was an international student the other day. She let me know at the end of semester, after 10 weeks in class together. Apparently I look and sound nordic. I don't. Can happen to anyone.
  

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  Apr 07, 2012 10:45 PM GMT

  Next time answer them back "Oh, i am also very surprised that your English is perfect" One of my British born and raised Indian friend actually use this to combat ppl who are very "surprised" he speaks perfect English.
  
  
  It's funny, ppl always thought I was local and were surprised that I was international when I told them. They said I was tall, built, Good English, Good French and tell jokes like locals so I must be local.
  
  
  
  

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  Apr 07, 2012 11:11 PM GMT

  nooceansleft saidI'm white, in Australia, with a normal accent, and I had someone think I was an international student the other day. She let me know at the end of semester, after 10 weeks in class together. Apparently I look and sound nordic. I don't. Can happen to anyone.
  

  
  
  You kinda look nordic... I know that's offensive of me to say.

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• danielek
  
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  Apr 07, 2012 11:16 PM GMT

  dan_x saidAt my university, caucasians are the minority, and Asians are the overwhelming majority.

  
  
  Sounds like U of T--St George!

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  Apr 07, 2012 11:50 PM GMT

  Have you tried looking really confused and telling them you were actually speaking Asian?

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  Apr 08, 2012 12:36 AM GMT

  Im pretty sure if I were going to University of Beijing they will also assume Im an international student and they will probably freak out if I speak perfect mandarin.

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  Apr 08, 2012 12:42 AM GMT

  Yeah I was gonna say... most Asians are hardly international students. At my school there's quite a diverse bunch, so what people learn to pick up on is who are the international ones and who are not. Sometimes that's easy to guess, sometimes there are surprises. But yeah, the "your English is perfect!" comment is always a weird one to take, and I have some experience with that. Being an immigrant, and telling people how long I've been here, I get that a lot, so I got used to it.
  
  It was just weird once when someone asked me if I'm an international student, I said no, that I live in Chicago and I'm here 6-7 years (that was it at time of asking) - then he proceeded to tell me I may just as well be an international student.

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  Apr 08, 2012 12:45 AM GMT

  It's not just because you're Asian. Have you seen your own profile pic? Your look is very distinct and unique and not what some may perceive as "typical" for anyone, regardless of race, in the US.

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  Apr 08, 2012 1:09 AM GMT

  Why is it that when I'm on holiday in Japan, everybody assumes I'm a tourist?

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  Apr 08, 2012 1:49 AM GMT

  north_runner saidIgnore the dbags. That, or start trolling them. Make up a country and tell them thats where you're from.

  this
  be like "oh herro ching chong nip nong fong? u rikey me asian?"

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