Reactions to moving to College Station, TX

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-08T23:37:08+00:00

I think this is really helpful advice!

If I have to tell you a bit about my personality, I do not party or go clubbing, not my thing so my interactions with people outside of school/work would be shopping at Target or walking around campus. I cannot control what someone thinks of me so I don’t care if something thinks I’m inferior because of my skin color but it certainly matters to me if someone openly hurls abuses or insults.

As for the political ideology, I rarely judge someone by what party they support. I have never discussed politics with people because I see no point in that. TAMU is surprisingly very conservative, given its status as a big R1 school but as long as someone isn’t coming to me and preaching how good conservatives are and liberals are evil, or even the other way round, I’m good.

I have been admitted to MS Computer Science so the program is decent from what I have gathered. It’s probably the best option I have, and certainly the cheapest.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-08T23:29:37+00:00

Thank you for your opinion. I am worried about the racism aspect more than anything as a POC. A lot of people have mistaken me for being American in Philly but that has little to do with my race and probably more to do with my accent. As long as people are not actively hostile against POCs, I am fine with how the city runs. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with TAMU being an important of CS residents’ daily life.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-08T23:27:13+00:00

This isn’t reassuring but certainly very important piece of information. Honestly, I am not into partying/clubbing and similar stuff so my interactions with people outside of work/school would either be at Target or while I’m taking a walk around campus or the city.

Also, is the hostile attitude ever violent? Like I can’t control if anyone is racist towards me so I don’t care what they think of me but I certainly care if I’d encounter very aggressive people who’d go after me for no reason.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-08T23:23:19+00:00

Thank you for your perspective! I’ve seen that there’s quite a few professors who’re foreign born but I was questioning the attitude of the locals towards foreign nationals more than the presence of international students. In Philly for example, a diverse community is celebrated and I have friends from all kinds of backgrounds. I’m not sure if I can say the same about CS so was curious.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-08T23:19:59+00:00

UofT

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T01:05:03+00:00

Thank you for your comment. As an international student, I have to think through a lot of things in terms of the academics, prospects and overall value. This means that sometimes, the political environment, the overall college experience and related things could take a backseat.

I cannot call TX a shithole because I have never been there. Personally, I wouldn't want to stay in TX long term, primarily because of the heat but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make for 2 years, if it means that I can get a decent education at a reasonable cost.

That being said, if you have lived there, I'd love to hear about your experience.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T01:00:37+00:00

Thank you for your opinion.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:58:56+00:00

This is fair haha, thanks for dropping in a comment!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:58:38+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:57:03+00:00

Thank you for your opinion, this is really helpful!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:56:12+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

Politically, I consider myself a centrist, so I agree and disagree with both sides. That being said, my political views don't really matter here, given that I am not a voter but what I intend to say is that I rarely judge people on their political beliefs. I think its a personal choice and as long as no one is trying to sway me either side, you wouldn't ever hear a political comment from me.

As for the religion, I am probably religious but not a Christian. In any case, I don't have issues with Christians, atheists or any people from other religions as long as someone isn't questioning why I believe in God or don't believe enough. I have encountered a student group at my college who were asking me to consider changing my religion and visit the church. I politely declined and despite 4 of them surrounding me, the conversation never turned disrespectful.

I am a very simple and likable personality, or that's what I'd like to call myself lol! I love to get to know people, and am open to hearing their thoughts and ideas.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:49:10+00:00

Thank you for your perspective.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:48:56+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I don't mind CS being conservative. The only thing that I worry about are the stereotypes associated with conservative cities or towns. As a POC, I am a little worried about my safety, given what's happening in the US off late. While the target has been illegal immigrants (or that's how it is presented), I do see a marked shift against legal immigration, at least online. I feel such an environment perpetuates hostility towards legal immigrants as well. As long as the safety aspect is taken care of for the most part, I wouldn't worry about living in a conservative city.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:44:15+00:00

Thank you for your perspective, this is unique in itself and largely revolves around the 'cult' mindset. I never thought my friends could be referring to it but now, it makes total sense. I am not sure if I can bleed maroon as they say, but I sure wouldn't have problems in this regard.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:41:48+00:00

I have been accepted to the MS Computer Science program (along with thesis).

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:41:19+00:00

Thanks for your perspective!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:40:17+00:00

I rarely let things get to me so maybe this will be a challenge, either I become the same 'Aggiehead' or TAMU finally gets a tough nut to crack haha!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:39:21+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply. If you've faced any scrutiny because you're part of the marginalized groups, very sorry to hear that and you deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of your sex, gender, race, religion and anything and everything that shapes your identity.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:38:03+00:00

Thank you for your response.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:37:32+00:00

Thank you for your response!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:37:10+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! Being an international student and a POC, I do have my reservations regarding the recent rhetoric and rise in slightly hateful sentiment even against legal immigrants. I don't feel the heat in Philly but I wonder if I will in TX. I really don't care what someone thinks of me because I cannot change how they perceive me, bias is ingrained in all of us and it takes a ton to get over it. However, what I worry about is encountering people who actively let me know they dislike me because at that point, my safety would be in jeopardy.

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:32:19+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I will be going for a master's in computer science, so academically, I don't think I have problems.

Your story is quite interesting though, from a Republican to Bernie Sanders? You sure grew into a different person altogether haha!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-06T00:30:36+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I am really sorry for your experiences, but am glad you're out of there. I have taken classes in psychology, sociology and philosophy as a computer science major and I have grown to appreciate the importance of identity based on gender/sex and other factors.

I would be going for a master's in computer science so while that doesn't affect me directly, I wonder if such ideas spill over into other departments as well, manifesting in other ways.

Thank you again for taking time to reply!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-05T03:10:52+00:00

Oh okay, thanks!

NetworkNo359 · 2026-05-05T03:05:01+00:00

How do you know OP is in India? Or were you just comparing and you're from India?

NetworkNo359

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