First-Years, Juliana Anuakpado and Bryce Emanuel, scoured the campus looking for a diverse set of students to talk about their experiences at Vanderbilt. Here are their stories.
What has your Vanderbilt experience been like so far?
I think it’s a nice place, people are really kind and they are ready to help. I feel more at home although I’m still so homesick. Things are getting better. I think the people are really, really nice–more than I imagined. My group, it’s called Oliver, It’s really been helpful. I feel like I can relate to people and share my experiences.
What has your Vanderbilt experience been like so far?
Um … so far I can say it’s been really nice. When I arrived here on Tuesday I felt very homesick. I felt that I was going to be really, really alone. I feel more at home right now. It’s been good meeting new people and getting to interact with my mentors. It’s been really fun for the small time I’ve been here so far.
As a student of color, how has your Vanderbilt experience been?
I think it’s been pretty good. I’ve gotten to make better connections with other people of color, so I think that’s been really good.
What is the advice you would give incoming freshman of color on how to survive campus life?
I would definitely say if you come from an area where there are a lot of people of color, definitely try to like find that group and have a good support system ‘cause there are a lot of people of color on this campus. Find your group and stick with them because they really will help make your Vanderbilt experience so much better.
As a student of color, how has your Vanderbilt experience been?
There are always times where one feels uncomfortable on campus but I think those times are becoming few and far between as Vanderbilt administration, educators, professors, and student body continue to become more diverse and have a focus and emphasis on how important intersectionality and ideas or different backgrounds play a role in how we live our lives.
As a person of color, what has your Vanderbilt experience been like so far?
I would say overall, compared to where I actually grew up, it’s actually a lot better. I grew up in a predominantly white community, so when I actually arrived at Vanderbilt I was actually surprised by how many people of color there were in general. But obviously, a lot of people come from like more metropolitan areas are like, “Oh this is still a predominantly white institution.” I do see that now, but overall I feel like I personally enjoyed my experience here. I’ve gotten to know more about the culture in terms of like being a person of color and that really does span beyond being black and of African heritage but also learning more about other people of color and their backgrounds and things like that. So I’ve definitely enjoyed my time at Vanderbilt.
Interviews conducted by Juliana Anuakpado. Photography by Bryce Emanuel.