Finding Community in a New City - Sarah O'Connell

 

Finding Community in a New City

The first time I ever went to Pittsburgh was the day I moved into my new apartment. I’ve moved to different cities before, and just like in Pittsburgh, I didn’t know anyone. I made friends, got involved in the community, and established a new place to call home. Then for school I had to move away from all of that and start again. I was so excited to get into Pitt’s program, but I was also nervous to start from scratch all over again. Luckily, I wasn’t completely alone in this, I instantly had 11 new friends to do this with me, my cohort!

The day I moved into my apartment was also the day I met my new roommate and classmate, Taylor! Together, we started exploring our neighborhood, visiting the nearby farmer’s market, and figuring out the public transportation system (which was way easier than we expected!). That first week, we met our welcoming neighbors and kind landlords. Suddenly, this new city became a lot less scary.

As orientation and classes began, I was eager to get to know everyone. Before school, no one in my life really knew what genetic counseling was. I found that these friendships were especially meaningful as my classmates not only understood but also connected with the field. Quickly, we began making plans outside of class. Over time, we somehow established weekly or monthly traditions: trivia Tuesdays, study sessions, movie nights, craft nights, or sushi outings. Moving somewhere new can be intimidating, but it's a lot less scary when you have 11 new friends going through it with you!

Outside of School:

Connecting with my classmates was just the start of finding my community in Pittsburgh. I knew that I would need an outlet where I could participate in other activities and connect to people outside of academics. But how else do we find community? What else is there to get involved in? Here are some of the communities I have found in Pittsburgh:

City of Bridges Run Club

With over 500 members ranging from adults in their 20s to their 80s, this is the perfect way to become a part of a community of people with a similar interest. Almost every day of the week an organized run is held in different parts of the city. This pushed me to explore various parts of Pittsburgh I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise and talk to so many new people. The club also held events like “Relays and Ritas,” fundraisers for local organizations like Cancer Bridges, rooftop yoga, free physical therapy, and Medal Mondays with free Moe’s!

 

After the winter, when the snow cleared away, the track season began. Every Monday the group met at the Schenley oval for a track workout. Running to our favorite songs, bringing snacks to devour afterwards, and watching the beautiful sunset over the city, Monday’s became my favorite day of the week.

Making friends takes time, but the warmth and encouragement from so many friendly faces kept me coming back. Before I knew it, I had a new friend group that motivated me to run my first marathon!

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

At the start of the marathon training season, a kickoff event was held that included a group run with tents full of several organizations runners could fundraise for. This is where I discovered the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! After learning more about CF and the incredible work the foundation does I felt passionate about joining the team. I signed up for the Breath Team and fundraised for CF throughout my training. The coaches, volunteers, and managers automatically made me feel like part of the team. They regularly checked in, offered support, and gave helpful advice for training and fundraising throughout the season. Each Wednesday, we met at the Cathedral of Learning (Cathy!) to walk 34 flights of stairs on repeat in preparation for the race. I found new ways to fundraise like March Madness, pizza fundraisers, and joining other races. On the day of the marathon I was struggling, the team not only cheered me on, but also came out and ran with me. I am so grateful to have found such a supportive community that I will continue to be a part of.

 

Other Activities:

If trivia or running are not your thing, that’s okay! There are so many ways to make a community in Pittsburgh! Here are some other opportunities my friends and classmates have gotten involved in:

●       Art festivals and music festivals

○       Northside music festival: https://www.northsidemusicfestival.com/

○       Jazz festival: https://pittsburghjazzfest.org/

○       Shadyside arts festival, Jam on walnut, and more: https://www.thinkshadyside.com/events-1

●       The University's intramural sports teams

○      https://www.imleagues.com/spa/intramural/d0682aa310d141a78e1d1b58ac087184/home 

●       Free confident city biking lessons

○       https://bikepgh.org/our-work/education/classes/

●       Free climbing once a month at Ascend’s Affinity Session for BIPOC and QFTW

○     https://www.ascendclimbing.com/programs/community/affinity-sessions

●       Free yoga in Schenley park every Thursday

○     https://3riversoutdoor.com/blogs/events/yoga-in-the-plaza?srsltid=AfmBOooAXW7xNAlI09ck6k4n5bT8z26WkWSZudCKZLGBv0DuI64d0B60

●       Free Tennis lessons

○       https://highlandparktennisclub.org/

●       City of Bridges Run Club

○       https://www.cityofbridgesrunclub.com/group-runs

●       Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Breath team):

○       https://breatheteam.cff.org/

●       Volunteering with one of the many local organizations in Pittsburgh!

Truthfully, moving can be hard and community takes time to build, but don’t let that stop you from putting yourself out there. I hope this inspires you to move somewhere new, talk to your neighbors, make new friends, get involved in local organizations, or go to an event you are interested in even if you are alone! No matter what you try next, you'll have your 11 new friends to support you!

My Journey as an International Student at Pitt - Shruti Bhansali

Moving across the world for graduate school can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this post, I share my experiences as an international student—from the first few weeks of adjustment to discovering resources, building community, and learning the importance of self-care along the way.

The First Few Weeks: Finding My Footing

When I first arrived, I leaned heavily on my family here in the U.S. to guide me through everyday things—how things worked, what to expect, and how to adjust. At the same time, I stayed closely connected with my family back in India, speaking to them every day. That connection gave me comfort and stability during those first overwhelming weeks.

Building Community Through Student Organizations

One of the best decisions I made was reaching out to other international students. Talking to people who had gone through the same experience made me feel less alone. At Pitt, there are student organizations for students from many different countries. These groups are wonderful for finding a sense of belonging and for celebrating our cultures together. Cultural events not only keep traditions alive but also help us feel a little more at home, even when we’re far away.

Self-Care on Campus

Graduate school can feel stressful at times, so I quickly realized the importance of self-care. Starting grad school has helped me realize that self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. It can simply be an activity that takes your mind off worry or anxiety. For me, that means a few minutes of meditation, working out, or even going for a walk. Just spending a few minutes on self-care can help reduce stress, prevent burnout, and build resilience.

Pitt’s campus makes it easy to explore different ways to unwind—whether that’s painting sessions, using the gym, joining workout classes, swimming, or trying yoga and meditation. Personally, I’ve found meditation and exercise to be my best tools for managing stress and staying focused. My advice to every new student is to find at least one activity that helps you recharge. And if you ever need additional support, the university and the School of Public Health have counselors available to talk to.

Resources for International Students

For specific guidance, the Office of International Services (OIS) is an incredible resource. Whether it’s about travel, maintaining your student status, or preparing for future work opportunities, the OIS staff are always ready to help. They also organize events and provide guides to help international students better understand American culture, food, language, and daily life.

After three years at Pitt, I’ve come to appreciate the huge adjustment that comes with moving to a new country. Everything—from lifestyle and traditions to social norms—can feel different at first. Talking to people who have been through it before, staying connected with family, and leaning on campus resources all made my transition much smoother. The program leadership have also been very understanding and supportive towards me, which has made a big difference in feeling supported as a student.

Looking back, the transition was never easy, but with the right support systems and a willingness to embrace new experiences, it becomes not just manageable—but incredibly rewarding.