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You may also want to maintain a few habits here in the States. Perhaps you could
continue to practice your own faith on a regular basis, with a group of like-minded
individuals. Or maybe you enjoy jogging, playing chess, or cheering for your favorite
sports team. While the activity will most likely be somewhat "Americanized,"
it may offer comfort to do some of the things that you enjoy in your back in your
home country.
During the transition from your home country to the U.S., new support will most
likely come from the admissions office or international student office at the U.S.
campus you choose to attend. Most offices coordinate orientation sessions for new
students within the first few days of your arrival, to help you get acquainted with
your new surroundings.
Other forms of support will come from new friends, an academic advisor or psychological
counseling centers. In the U.S., many schools have therapists who have been trained
to work with people just like you to discuss the types of new challenges you face.
Most importantly, be prepared to open yourself to new experiences; be prepared to
learn, not only in the classroom, but in your interactions with new people everyday.
American Culture
As you may know, one of the hallmarks of U.S. culture is independence. Here is some
advice about written by non-U.S. students just like you! In order to make friends,
you must take the initiative to meet people. Because of the American value of independence,
Americans will not always be looking out for you, or making sure that you are getting
acquainted with other people. They assume you are taking care of yourself unless
you tell them differently. If you don't ask for help, Americans will assume you
don't need anything. So remember—ask for help when you need it!
Another point of advice: In some cultures, it's polite to refuse two or three times
if someone offers something to you. But in the U.S., it is polite to answer "Yes,
please" if you would like what is being offered. Many interesting situations
have come up when a non-U.S. student who was hungry or thirsty refused the offer
of food or drink, thinking this was polite behavior. But when no second or third
offer was made, there was no chance to say yes.
Contrary to the stereotype of independence and individuality, most Americans are
conformists and gain their identity by belonging to groups. You may notice that
many students join groups in order to both get acquainted with others and in order
to satisfy a need to belong. You may be surprised at how many students look alike
on your campus, with similar hairstyles and clothing.
Americans are sometimes difficult to figure out, so keep an open mind and get to
know them as individuals.
A Few U.S. Holidays and Customs
One fun way to learn about a culture is to participate in its traditions. Here are
a few holidays that Americans celebrate throughout the country:
1 January: New Year's Day. Welcome the new year with parties
starting the night before (New Year's Eve on 31 December).
3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King,Jr. Day. Commemorate
the birthday of the African-American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.,
who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
14 February: Valentine's Day. Celebrate love and romance
by exchanging tokens of love (usually cards, candy or gifts).
3rd Monday of February: President's Day. Honor past American
presidents like George Washington (the nation's first leader) and Abraham Lincoln
(Civil War hero who helped abolish slavery).
17 March: Saint Patrick's Day. Celebrate the patron saint
of Ireland with parades and parties decorated in Irish green.
1 April: April Fool’s Day. Play a clever (but harmless)
trick or tell a joke to someone with a good sense of humor.
Last Monday of May: Memorial Day. Remember the men and
women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
4 July: Independence Day. View public displays of fireworks
as Americans mark the date when thirteen U.S. states declared their independence
from England in 1776.
1st Monday in September: Labor Day. Honor the contributions
and efforts of hard workers throughout the country.
2nd Monday in October: Columbus Day. Pay tribute to Christopher
Columbus, who is traditionally thought of as the discoverer of the Americas in 1492.
Last Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day. Feast on a
traditional meal that commemorates the dinner shared by the Pilgrims (first settlers
of the thirteen colonies) and the Native Americans.
25 December: Christmas Day. Celebrate the birth of Christ,
leader of the Christian faith, by exchanging gifts with family and friends.
Social Life
Your interaction with other people—your social life—is an integral part
of your stay in the United States. To make the most of it, get ready to introduce
yourself in a positive way to fellow students, professors, and other people both
on- and off-campus.
One of your first introductions to social life on a U.S. campus will most likely
be "The International Student Orientation Program," traditionally coordinated
by the Admissions Office or the Office of International Programs. Orientation varies
greatly from school to school, though the objectives are similar: to introduce the
new non-U.S. students to each other, and to prepare you for campus life. Many times,
topics include immigration, academic advisors, computer and library resources, telephone
services, public safety, medical services, and banking and transportation options.
(Be sure to see Study/ Living: Money Matters for more details about money management
during your stay.) During orientation, students often learn of upcoming activities
such as trips to local points of attraction.
College and university campuses are abound with activities designed to foster friendships.
Many schools designate a "Student Activities Center" (also called a student
union) where you may learn of different activities and programs, such as student
government, the newspaper staff, outdoors club, chorus, dance, and a number of athletic
teams. Explore which ones may suit you best!
"Know Thyself"
"Know yourself and your home country," Cameron Diaz Jones advised prospective
international students in the U.S. A native of Jamaica, Cameron is studying economics
and international relations at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He is in his
third year of a four-year undergraduate program, and intends to pursue a Masters
of Business Administration before working in urban economic development in the Caribbean
or South America.
"I've made some great American friends on and off-campus, as well as friends
from all over the world; they have taught me a lot. For example, last December,
some American friends invited me out into the woods to help cut down their Christmas
tree -- I had never done anything like that before!"
When I meet new people, they're always interested to know what it's really like
in Jamaica. That has made me think about my own country, so I could share more information
with them. If I never left home, I would not need to consider these things. So in
many ways, a U.S. education means much more than sitting in a classroom and studying
for a degree."
Developing Deeper Friendships
After your initial interaction with new people in the States, you may want to get
to know a few of them better. Ironically, many international students have found
that they—not their American hosts—must be more assertive if a friendship
is to develop. Here is some more advice about the American social life, written
by non-U.S. students just like you:
When you first arrive on campus, you may notice how friendly everyone is. People
you don't know will smile and say "Hi" and "How are you" and
"How's it going." But these statements are not really true questions;
people will most often keep on walking, not waiting for your answer. You may get
the idea they are superficial or perhaps even rude.
Americans, however, feel that this kind of greeting and behavior is considered very
friendly; they feel they are being outgoing and welcoming. These greetings are a
social custom which has little to do with friendship. The person may become your
friend eventually, but it is important not to misunderstand the nature of your verbal
exchange.
Similarly, people may ask your name and country where you were born; they may seem
interested for a few minutes, but then go and speak to someone else. This may seem
to contradict their initial friendliness, although it is not meant to do so.
You may find it easy to have many "acquaintances" on campus: people seem
to all live together, eat together and study together. However, true friendship
will take time to build. You will realize, maybe for the first time, how much time
it took to develop the friendships you have at home. Then you will appreciate the
time and energy it takes to establish close friendships, both at home and abroad.
Different Ways of Communicating
One of the newest forms of communication is also one of the most popular on many
U.S. campuses. Through your interaction with admissions offices in the States, you
may already understand that practically everyone uses e-mail frequently.
E-mail and the Internet have made it much easier (and sometimes less expensive)
to exchange all types of information. Once you arrive in the States, you will find
that computers and Internet connections are very accessible on most campuses. As
a matter of fact, e-mail plays an important role in the social lives of many Americans
-- as they send and receive messages regularly with friends and family.
However, try to resist the urge to spend too many hours in front of the computer;
keep in mind that your visit to the U.S. may not last forever, so go out and socialize
with others to get a full American experience. Make sure you are open to new experiences!
Socialization is one of the most important aspects of your international experience.
According to the Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, socialization is most strongly
enforced by the school, the family, and peer groups. It is essential for the development
of individuals who can participate and function within their societies, as well
as for ensuring that a society’s cultural features will be carried on through
new generations. Socialization continues throughout an individual’s lifetime,
and your experience in studying abroad will challenge you to develop your "people
skills" even further.
Accommodation
There are a number of options when it comes to deciding where you will live
when you are living and studying in the United States.
On-campus dormitories
Once you are enrolled in a U.S. school, the Admissions Department or International
Student Office will most likely send you a "pre-departure orientation"
packet. Options for where to live are generally included in this information.
Some American schools offer accommodations for international students on-campus,
or near the school's classrooms, libraries and other facilities. "Dormitories"
are buildings with many rooms for sleeping and living, often with two or three people
(of the same gender) per room. Dormitory residents typically share large bathrooms
which include showers and toilets. Many first-year students prefer to live in on-campus
dormitories because they are convenient to both academic and social activities.
Another advantage is that it is not likely that you will not need a car to commute
to campus.
On-campus accommodations also offer close proximity to the cafeteria and other eating
establishments. U.S. colleges and universities offer very flexible meal-plan programs,
where you can choose to pay in advance for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On most
campuses, you may also deposit a certain amount of money at the beginning of the
semester for food that you may buy from designated places. Each item’s cost
is deducted from the balance in your account throughout the semester. Again, your
pre-departure orientation packet will probably detail your eating options.
Moving into a dormitory setting is relatively simple: utilities such as electricity
and telephone connections will most likely be ready to use. Each U.S. college or
university has its individual policy on paying for long-distance telephone charges;
learn those policies soon after you arrive on campus.
Off-campus options
Some U.S. schools do not provide on-campus accommodations for international students.
However, an off-campus housing office will assist you in finding an appropriate
place to live. Often, the office coordinates activities to help students find a
compatible roommate to share expenses; they also provide information about the local
neighborhoods, including popular restaurants, shopping areas, parks and recreation,
and public transportation.
Ask new friends and other students if they have any suggestions for a good apartment.
Check classified advertisements in the local newspaper (Sundays usually have more
apartment listings than other days of the week). If all else fails, contact a real
estate agent for assistance - though beware of unspecified fees for the service.
Before committing to a lease, or an agreement to rent an apartment, spend some time
in the area to decide if it feels safe and convenient to places like school buildings
and grocery stores. Read the lease carefully before signing. You will learn, for
example, that the landlord is not responsible for your possessions if they are stolen
or destroyed, so you may consider purchasing "renter’s insurance."
If you do not understand any part of the lease agreement, ask the landlord, a friend,
or someone from the international student office to explain it to you.
Once you do find off-campus housing, be aware that your rent may well not include
utilities. You will need to request that the companies turn on the electricity and
telephone service when you arrive. The landlord can provide you with the appropriate
contact information.
You have a choice of long-distance carriers for your telephone service. Be sure
to ask the customer service representatives about special discount calling plans,
particularly for international connections. The representative is usually eager
to offer you a variety of extra services, most of which are not necessary. Soon
after you register for telephone service, you should receive a free telephone directory.
Within the directory, you will find the white pages (listing local residents alphabetically
by name), the blue pages (government listings), and the yellow pages (business listings
and advertisements).
Many U.S. households have telephone answering machines, which record messages from
callers when no one answers the phone. You may purchase an answering machine for
about $25. Another option is to request that the telephone company provide an electronic
answering service, for which they charge a small monthly fee. Please visit <link
to Int’l Student phone card center> for more information on inexpensive
phone cards that will allow you to keep in touch with loved ones back in your home
country.
In most cases, the least expensive way to keep in touch with far-away friends and
family is via e-mail. Again, each U.S. school has its own policies and procedures
for accessing the Internet. If you choose to access your own e-mail off-campus,
you can expect to pay about $20 per month to an Internet Service Provider.
Transportation
Whether you are living on or off campus, in a city or suburb, you have many transportation
options for getting around in your new country:
Bicycles
A bicycle can be a great way to get around your campus and your local area. Whether
your campus is based in the middle of a city or in the suburbs, a bike is relatively
inexpensive, and it’s a good way to get some exercise. Whenever riding your
bike, always take care to observe the law of the road, and always wear a helmet.
It is now a law in some states that helmets must be worn. As with any personal property,
take care to lock you bike up when you are not using it. Most college campuses provide
a bike rack for that purpose outside of many buildings on campus. A good lock does
not usually cost very much, and it’s a small price to pay for the security
of your bike.
Buses
If you are living in a city, the bus system will likely be pretty extensive, as
with most of the public transportation systems in large urban areas. However, if
you live in the suburbs, buses will not run as often and you may have to find alternative
methods to get around. On longer routes, Greyhound runs an extensive bus system
across the USA which is an inexpensive way to travel, but it can take a long time
to get from one place to another.
Trains and Subways
Subways will be found in most major cities in the USA, such as New York, Boston,
and Chicago, and they are a cheap way to travel around. Trains, on the other hand,
are good for traveling the USA. They are slightly more expensive than traveling
by bus, but it is much quicker.
Taxis
Taxis can be extremely expensive for students, and are good for longer journeys
that are either too far for walking or by bicycle, or there is no bus or subway
system where you want to go. Always remember to check your driver has a valid ID
card which should be displayed (if not ask to see it) and make sure the meter is
running. Never enter a taxi where the driver has asked for a set fee!
Safety Issues
Like most issues, safety in the United States is difficult to define because the
United States covers such a large territory. While the U.S. is generally a
very safe place to live, it is still a good idea to educate yourself and take steps
to reduce the potential for problems. By doing so, you will also feel more confident
and comfortable.
Developing a sense of "street smarts" takes time, and comes through experience.
You should familiarize yourself with well-lit paths and sidewalks on campus. The
school's security office may offer an escort service, where designated people walk
with you from one place to another on campus, particularly at night. Pay close
attention to your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If a situation appears scary
to you, try to avoid it.
At "home" (an apartment, private residence or dormitory room), keep your
doors locked, and your large windows closed. Get to know your neighbors, so you
can "watch out" for each other.
As always, you should use common sense when it comes to safety
Money Matters
As you may have already discovered, paying for a quality education in the United
States can be very expensive. But with proper preparation, you may minimize the
costs of this extraordinary opportunity; visit our Financing page to learn more
about paying for tuition. In this section, we explore money matters that you may
encounter on a daily basis during your adventure in the United States.
As with any country, it is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash around with
you. There are other options such as credit cards, traveler’s checks or bank
cards (also called debit cards), which are all valid forms with which to pay for
things in the United States.
Traveler’s checks are one of the safest and easiest ways to transport money
because you may have them replaced if they get lost or stolen. If you choose to
carry traveler’s checks with you from your home country to the States, be
sure they are denominated in U.S. funds. Most businesses—except taxi drivers
and public transportation personnel—
will accept U.S.-denominated traveler’s checks during regular business hours,
typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is wise to bring about
$100 in U.S. cash with you, so you will be able to manage upon your arrival in the
States.
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