# @vanderbiltu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B5oFsCclO81
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9038255-vanderbiltu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/cfe911b024.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-12-03T22:05:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vanderbilt University (@VanderbiltU) — https://gondola.cc/VanderbiltU

## Caption

Valerie Kim (left) and Nina Yao (right) were both looking to join a smaller community in college. #HumansofVanderbilt #VU2021 #VU2023

Q: Why did you choose Vanderbilt?
V: Honestly for me, the financial aid was probably the biggest reason. But, I also really liked the smaller community. It’s really interesting for me to walk around campus and actually see familiar faces, whereas at other schools you might not get that. I feel that I can connect with my professors more.
N: Honestly, it was the financial aid too. But also, I wanted to be in an environment that wasn’t very huge, like I could feel like I was part of a smaller community. And also, I heard Vanderbilt is a really kind community. That was something very appealing to me.

Q: How do you feel that the supportive nature of the Vanderbilt community has benefitted you during your time here?
V: I’m Asian-America, and I think finding a community where people understand where I’m coming from. Kinda finding that solidarity with other people was really big for me, and I think I really found that kind of community here and spaces where I could talk about my identity without feeling weird about it.
N: I haven’t been here for too long. I’ve joined some orgs and people have actively tried to reach out to me and make an effort to get to know me and talk to me. That was really surprising about Vanderbilt, but it made me really like it even more.

Valerie Kim
Medicine, Health, & Society Major
Class of 2021
Hometown: Sylvania, OH

Nina Yao
Biomedical Engineering Major
Class of 2023
Hometown: Durham, NC 📸: Social 'Dores @ty.noir and @whatstheshpeelmremil
#vandygram

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 1,257
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- **Comments:** 12

## Tags

humansofvanderbilt, vu2021, vu2023, vandygram

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