In a sea of 60,000 people, it can feel daunting to stay afloat. While a majority of students enrolled at The Ohio State University arrived here already calling Ohio home sweet home, according to OSU’s statistical summary for the 2024-25 school year, there are around 13,000 students who hail from other parts of the nation, and another 6,000 who are from other countries altogether.
In spite of only making up around 30% of the student body, many of these students have been able to find places and people to call home in Buckeye Nation.
Sammy Chavez was inspired to spearhead this shoot through her time here at OSU. Raised in Arizona and of Chinese-Mexican descent, coming to Ohio fresh out of high school was a novel experience.
“It was scary and intimidating, but also new and exciting. I felt so free when I first got here from Arizona. Though, there were times I was the only woman of color in a class… sometimes it felt weird,” Chavez said. “But it was because I spoke up that I was able to find a community. By laughing so loudly, unapologetically.”
The shoot We Belong Here was born from this idea—that people can find a community and family in new places without having to change their true self.
Charlotte Conn came to OSU with a very specific path in mind. The Visual Communication Design program has a very competitive cohort that only accepts around 20 people per year. It was not easy to get in, nor was it easy adjusting from her life in Louisville, Kentucky.
“All my friends are in my major, and we’re doing it all together, so we’re all in the same boat. But the only people I’ve seen from Kentucky are me and my boyfriend,” Conn said.
Fortunately, being from Kentucky proved not to be a hindrance. Being in the same boat meant that members of the program shared those common interests and passions, whether it was country artists, fashion design or horseback riding. Expressing her interests helped forge bonds with others.
“Music and country music is something I really connect to, so I wanted to represent that,” Conn said.
Her outfit, consisting of cowboy boots, denim and a tunic dress top, was inspired by the music that she listened to while growing up. And after two years here, Conn continues to look forward to what else OSU and her newfound community have to offer.
Jose Aviles’s parents were young children when they moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland, but Aviles does not feel any less connected with his heritage. For this shoot, he kept it simple, sporting a Puerto Rico shirt and a comfortable top over it.
“I wanted to wear something that represents my Puerto Rican culture. But at the end of the day, I just wear what I want to wear; what I feel comfortable with,” Aviles said.
He visits Puerto Rico as often as he can, and it helps him find a more secure relationship with his heritage. He also makes the most of the things that OSU has to offer him.
“It’s a little bit harder to find diverse people here, especially Puerto Ricans, but I have been able to find people in my clubs and also through some of my classes,” Aviles said.
Over the course of his four years navigating his psychology degree, he has had great success in finding people who see and cherish him simply for being who he is. Whether it be bonding over something they’re studying or meeting in one of the many orgs here on campus, there are many ways to find a place you can feel comfortable being yourself in.
Expressing your true self and representing your roots can be a tricky task when navigating new waters. No matter where you come from or where you may be headed, there is always a place for you at OSU. The only thing you need is to be who you are.
