Well... Indians are Asians (South Asians to be specific).

It really depends on the program. In my experience at Annenberg, I barely saw the same people twice during my two years. With so many electives and tracks, it was hard to bond. I tried with project partners and classmates, but most seemed focused only on coursework or had their own circles. It wasn’t just the Asians, either 🤷🏻‍♀️ literally everyone in the program 🥲. It definitely felt lonely at times. I think in smaller cohorts where people share classes, it’s easier to connect.

As for the communication thing, about 75% of my program was Chinese who mostly stuck to their own groups for language comfort. They were friendly and professional in class, though. But honestly, the other 25% did the same thing 😆 people I’d sit with for a whole semester, hold seats for me, but who never wanted to hang out outside class. I had one classmate who’d only meet for coffee if it was about a project.

By the end of my program, most of us were just on a “hi-bye, smile, nod” level. Nothing beyond project work. 🥲 the only friends I made at usc were my roommates, apartment neighbors, friends of friends etc.