| Average state school can have a wide range of differences… I know for example PSU has a wide range of diversity if you look. From your two options, it sounds like continuing on at your current university doesn’t sound like an option. For 1- why do you have to transfer? If you’re interested in a degree in STEM finish the degree. You can usually take courses outside of your major. If you are at a large university, you may just not be finding the right crowd for you. Does your university have anything like “global programs” or “international scholars”? See if anyone has any programs (extracurricular, may be geared towards visiting scholars and graduate ) called things like “conversation partners” (just an idea and might not be the right fit for you). Instead of taking a gap year, you could also find a university where you could do a semester (s) abroad. This is usually possible in some way shape or form. Personal experience- in university I had a very diverse friend set. However, over a decade later, I only have one friend I went to university with who I am close with. (We talk nearly daily!). However I always worked a job, and I was lucky with the role I had at the time. I still have 3-4 friends from that role who have turned out to be friendships that have lasted 10+ years. Also, I have found this post by Sam Altman helpful at times. https://blog.samaltman.com/the-days-are-long-but-the-decades... |