If you're about to embark on a journey to the U.S., chances
are your life will change. Things in the U.S. are a bit different than those in
other parts of the world. The American culture has changed over the years but
is interesting to observe even now. As an international student, you might experience
culture shock at first, but that's okay. It's normal, and everyone goes through
it.
Since international students make up a big proportion of each
American university, you'll be making friends easily and will discover new,
exciting cultures quickly. However, you should still immerse yourself in American
society. Here's what you should know about it.
1. Brace yourself; you need to talk more
One interesting thing I realized while living in the U.S. is
that Americans can talk, and they can talk about anything. If you're traveling
to the U.S. by plane, chances are that you'll chitchat quite often. You might
have at least three or four conversations by the time you're on American soil.
So, as you can tell, not talking can be considered rude.
As an international student, you might not be used to
abundant conversations, and that's okay. Most Americans are open to learning
about various cultures and traditions around the world. They'll be asking you
lots of questions about your country, your culture, and yourself. Remember that
this is not rude in the U.S. but quite the opposite; it shows interest and is
usually the right thing to do.
Tip: If you don't feel like having a conversation, avoid eye
contact. Although not very polite, either, it's still better than having a
conversation that you don't want to have.
2. Keep an open mind
College campuses are mostly liberal. You probably don't know
what that means, but you'll soon find out. In any case, judgment is not a thing
in American culture. So, judging others based on looks, race, gender, sex, etc.
is considered discriminatory (as in other parts of the world). So, avoid making
comments about people's appearances as much as you can.
Keep an open mind and experience something new each day. Make
a new friend, try a new class, have a conversation with a new classmate.
Whatever you choose, just keep your mind open and judgments aside. This is
crucial if you want to fit in well and make friends easily.
3. Be prepared to spend some money
Yes, American education is expensive, especially if you're
coming from a Second- or Third-World country. Costs can be unbearable for most
international students, which is why only a small part of them choose to
actually take on this journey. If you're not afraid of being broke, then hop
on! You can still make money while you're there. All you have to do is to think
outside the box.
Take into account that universities in the U.S. are hella
expensive and that your classmates might have more money than you could
imagine. If you're not intimidated by this, you're all good. However, if your
family doesn't have enough money to help you study abroad in the U.S., try
applying for scholarships. Universities in the U.S. offer lots of financial
aid, especially for international students.
4. Extracurricular activities are a big thing
I'm not sure where you're coming from, but in my home
country, people do not place as
much emphasis on extracurriculars as they do in the U.S. Academics really
aren't everything, and that's absolutely great. Students try out for
various sports and can even get paid for it, they join various social clubs,
such as sororities or fraternities, and they often engage in volunteering. All
of these activities help students broaden their networking circle and prepare
for life post-graduation.
5. An essay example on American culture could
help
If you're a shy international student, you might need to do
some research on American culture. Otherwise, the culture shock might be too
much for you. The best thing would be checking out any essay example about
American culture at samplius.com to read
about other students' experiences. Getting a more thorough perspective on your
future student experience cannot hurt. And, in return, you could write an essay
when you return to help other students out.
6. Eating out is a must
When it comes to food, you've entered paradise. Since the
U.S. is a meeting point for hundreds of cultures around the world, the foods
are, as you can imagine, very mixed. You can enjoy Ethiopian, Chinese,
Japanese, Italian, and German foods all in the same night!
That's why Americans eat out quite often, and their mixed
international food is simply amazing. So, prepare to be spending some money on
food while you're in the U.S. It's part of your experience.
Wrapping Up
Yes, you might experience culture shock, and yes, you might
be feeling alone at times, but being an international student in the U.S. is an
experience you will never forget. So, leave your worries aside and hop on this
journey. Trust the process, open your mind, and start applying to those
colleges. You can do anything you set your mind to.
Author Bio:
Michael Turner is a freelance specialist and IT designer. He works for a popular essay-writing service in the U.S. In his free time, Michael teaches students the art of compassion.
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