International Student Diversify Hampton University's Campus Life

Many Students that attend Hampton University are not only from Virginia but from all over the world, from Bermuda to California to the Philippians. Some students from other countries may not still be living in their home country, but they still manage to hear about the Hampton University and its campus life. 


Dardinia Joseph, or DJ, is a senior Journalism and Communications major from the island Dominica, which is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. "I heard about the school's journalism program, how it is second in the country" she said. "Also I wanted to go to an HBCU to participate in the black experience." She aspires to work in the field of print journalism.


Although DJ loves going to Hampton University she sometimes get home sick but going to Dominica is not a quick weekend trip especially with the economy at its state. One thing she misses is how everything is close by each other. While at home she never has a dull moment because their is always something to do. It can be real late at night and places will still be open, but in Hampton many places close by 9 or 10pm. The thing she misses the most is the culture. In Dominica music is always being played no matter the time of day or night where at Hampton music is only being played from 12pm to 2pm in the student center on Fridays or when there is a special event. The people there are also very friendly and treat each other like one big family. "Everybody looks out for each other" she said. Not saying that Hampton students do not act like a family but there can be times where the environment changes and it becomes every man or woman for themselves. Despite the dislikes, DJ was asked would she consider attending a college or university in Dominica she said "No."


Not all students at Hampton feel as strong about their culture like DJ does, however it is still apart of them. Culture is everywhere from every place no matter what school people decide to attend. Society is ever changing and acceptance of the many cultures the task is for these people to not forget their culture.