STUDYING ABROAD IN THE USA
The first days of living and studying in a new country are difficult for anyone, but this information should help you feel more confident as you prepare to study in the United States:
- Your first days in the United States
- Your first few weeks in the United States
- Getting used to American Social Customs
- Typical problems and concerns
- Living on campus
- Safety
- Extracurricular activities
- Official College closings
Your first days in the United States
Do not worry if you feel nervous when you begin your studies in the United States. The first days at College are the most difficult for every international student. Be patient with yourself and others, and trust yourself that things will improve soon.
Fisher College will offer a student orientation shortly after you arrive. Take advantage of meeting all of the other international students and get to know your International Student Advisor. During your student orientation you will learn about:
- Important guidelines to maintaining your visa status
- Classes to take for your first semester
- The College’s rules and regulations
- The layout of your College and what you can do for fun on campus
- Purchasing book and supplies
- How to open a local bank account
- Setting up your telephone’s voice mail and answering system
- Meal plan
Your first few weeks in the United States
The first weeks of the first semester for every new international (and American) student is a busy time during which everyone is learning about the campus and classes while making new friends. You should take time to get to know your College:
- Explore campus to familiarize yourself with where you need to go when registering for the semester, attending classes, getting your meals and visiting new friends.
- Find your Academic Advisor’s office and make an appointment. Your Academic Advisor will help you decide which courses you should take and guide you through the registration process at your College.
- Find the Student Identification Office to get your student identification card: it will be your passport around the campus.
- Take advantage of the facilities and services on offer: check out the Student Union, use the Recreation Center, watch the College’s sports teams, find the Student Bookstore and the Library.
- Do not forget to ask questions if you want answers!
Getting used to American Social Customs
Greetings
- Upon meeting each other for the first time, men always shake hands, firmly. Women often shake hands with people they meet, but it is not universal.
- Good friends, family members, or people in a romantic relationship might give each other a hug or even kiss upon meeting one another.
Uses of names
First names are more readily used in United States than in other countries.- You should say “Mr” (for men) or “Ms” (for women) and the person’s last name when talking to people in potion of authority, your professors, or your elders, unless they ask you to call them by their first name.
- Some American women prefer to be called “Ms” (pronounced “mizz”) rather than “Miss” or “Mrs”.
Friendliness and Friendship
Americans often communicate with touch, by putting a hand on somebody’s shoulder to express warmth of feeling. Often they will hug when meeting. These friendly gestures are common and should not be interpreted as intrusive or disrespectful.
- Even if Americans tend to touch each other more than in some other cultures, they usually maintain a relatively large physical distance between one another during conversations or social meetings.
- Men and women often have long-term platonic relationships, which can surprise some foreign visitors. People of the opposite sex might go to the movies, a restaurant, a concert, or other event together without ever being romantically involved.
Social Invitations
If you have accepted an invitation or if a meeting has been set, Americans usually expect you to arrive at the agreed location at the right time. Americans tend to be quite punctual. If you have to cancel an appointment or know that you will not be able to be on time, you should call your friend or host to cancel or reschedule.
- If you are invited to a person's home for a party or dinner, it would be a good idea to ask if this will be a formal, semi-formal, or casual occasion, since the way you dress can be considered important for certain events.
- When formally invited to someone's home, it is considerate to bring a gift to your host. Common gifts are a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, or flowers. No gift is expected when friends visit each other casually.
Personal Hygiene
As a general rule, Americans usually consider that the odors that the human body naturally produces — the odors of perspiration or breath, for example — are unpleasant.
- While the practice is not universal, many people use perfume, cologne, mouthwash, and other scented products to give themselves an odor that others will presumably find pleasant. However, Americans generally do not like others to use "too much" of a scented product. Too much means that the smell is discernible from more than a meter or two away.
- Most American women, though not all, shave the hair from their underarms and their lower legs.
- Clothing should not emit bodily odors. The American practice is to wash clothing that has taken on the smell of the wearer's perspiration before it is worn again.
- The basic idea is that you should be clean. Makeup, perfume, and cologne are not necessary for social acceptance, but cleanliness is definitely expected.
American Culture
The United States is a large and diverse country with people from across the world living in every imaginable geographic location and climate. But nearly all Americans share some traits as part of a general culture that you should be aware of when you study here. Below are some general hints as to how Americans behave with others and what you should expect while in the US:
- Americans tend to be independent and practical. They are work-oriented and may appear materialistic to others. Conversation tends to be concise. It is not considered polite for one person to talk a long time on a topic without listening to others. Give and take is an important part of American conversation, and many Americans generally prefer to stop talking rather than argue.
- The concept of equality is an essential part of United States culture. Men are not considered superior to women, nor are women expected to allow sexist comments or attitudes to prevail, particularly in a university, college or business environment.
- Very few American families have maids, cooks or servants. Everyone in an American family is expected to do their own work and help with chores. Thus, your room will not be cleaned unless you and your roommate do it.
- Americans respect religious differences and do not have a nationally sponsored religion. Religious beliefs are considered a private matter and your religious beliefs and customs will be tolerated.
- You are likely to find Americans to be open and interested in you and your country. If you return this friendliness with interest in the United States and Americans you will quickly make friends. Students who insist upon always pointing out ways in which their home country is better might soon find themselves alone. Americans are proud of their country like everyone around the world.
- Smoking is not permitted on domestic air flights, in theatres, most public spaces like hospitals and is restricted to certain areas of restaurants. Do not light a cigarette in someone's home or car without first asking if it is acceptable. In many cases, you will be required to smoke outside.
Typical problems and concerns
Language Problems
Living in a society where you have to use English on a daily basis can be challenging at first. Some language problems you may encounter when you first arrive are:
- You may not understand the local accent right away. Regional accents vary greatly in the U.S. Give yourself time to get used to the local accent.
- Americans might not understand you right away. You will also have your own accent. Speak slowly and don't by shy about asking others to speak slowly if you are having a hard time understanding them.
- Americans use a lot of slang in their speech and it might take you some time before you understand all of it.
- Humor and sarcasm are an integral part of American English. This should be interpreted as a sign of friendliness, not disrespect.
- Americans use lots of abbreviation in their speech (for example, TA for Teachers Assistant or Poli Sci for Political Science). If you don't understand something, simply ask the meaning of it.
Give yourself time to adapt to the language, and don't be afraid to make mistakes! This is all part of your learning experience.
Homesickness
Homesickness is a predictable problem faced by most students at one point or another. It may occur at the beginning or even well into your year. Two key points about homesickness:
- Homesickness will pass. Be patient. Give it at least two weeks. If you are feeling sad, explain what is happening to your friends. Do not hide in your room; if you do, the homesickness will only worsen. Find your counselor on staff with whom you can talk about homesickness or other problems.
- Homesickness might be made worse by frequent, long telephone calls home. Most homesick students feel more homesick after a call home than they did before they picked up the phone. Try to limit yourself to one call home every week. Also, do not spend every free minute writing letters home. The sooner you integrate into the university experience, the sooner your homesickness will pass.
Culture Shock
Most people traveling outside of their own countries experience a level of culture shock – the process of adjusting to a new country and new culture that might be dramatically different from their own. Like homesickness, culture shock will lessen over time. The way you feel will stabilize and settle as you make friends, improve your English and begin to understand the culture more fully. Be patient. You will get used to life in the United States. And remember that you are not the only one experiencing these feelings.
Problems can be solved only if others know about them and can help you. You have a number of sources for help, including:
- Your Residence Hall Advisor
- The College's International Student Advisor
- The International Study Center staff
- Fisher College counseling staff and professors
Living on campus
In your first year at Fisher College, you will live in a residence hall, sharing a room with at least one roommate. The residence hall becomes home with ready-made access to friendships, study help, fun and advice. You will also have to learn to live with your roommate and learn to accommodate one another on the following issues:
- Wake-up/sleep times
- Cleanliness/room order
- Music: type and volume
- Personal habits and hygiene
- Visitors and friends
- Climate control
The best roommate relationships deal with these issues openly by talking about your own preferences, customs and habits, and listening to those of your roommate. Compromise is important. Remember that changing roommates is not easy or fast to do. If you have any problems, speak with your Resident Advisor first.
Try not to be shy! Remember that making friends is important to everyone in their first year of university. Smile as you see other students, say hello and call others by name. Join in student activities and meetings, and bring a photo album from home to show new friends your home country and its customs.
Please note that studying in your residence hall may be difficult due to noise, friendly interruptions and other distractions. Consider studying at the library, computer center or a private space that you find at Fisher College.
Things to bring
When living on campus, you will be provided with a bed, chest of drawers, closet space, a desk and chair in your residence room. You can buy bed linen on arrival. You may want to bring with you, or purchase on arrival:
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Clothing
Is important to bring clothing suited for the weather: at Fisher College you will experience four distinct seasons. Winters in New York are typically cold with below-freezing weather and snow. Spring and Fall have comfortable, mild temperatures, averaging in 10-20°Celsius. Summers in New York are hot and humid with temperatures often reaching above 32°C.
Computers
Although Fisher College has computers and printers for student use, it may be useful to bring your own computer and printer which you can use in your dormitory room.
Telephones
- Cell phones: Most international students purchase cellular phones when they arrive, as most mobile phones purchased in other countries will not work in the United States.
- Land lines: Every student is assigned a telephone number and telephone connection jack, but you will need to provide a phone handset. You will be assigned a PAC (Personal Authorization Code) in order to dial off campus.
- Emergency numbers: Manhattan's campus security emergency number is 718-862-7333. You can also dial 911 if you need police, the fire department, or emergency medical treatment. Once you have dialed, the operator will ask you what the emergency is, and for your address, and send the appropriate help. It is illegal to call 911 in a non-emergency situation.
Money
- You should never keep large sums of money on you or in your residence hall room. You can open a savings/checking account at a bank close to campus (bring your passport), cash traveler’s checks (be sure to keep a separate record of the serial numbers), or use a credit card to withdraw money.
- Remember that you are responsible for all personal expenses at your university including: books, toiletries, school supplies, social activities, personal spending, telephone bills, damages to the residence hall and other expenses. All of these bills must be paid in full before your final year's University transcript and other academic records will be released.
Safety
As everywhere else in the world, there is crime in the United States. You should be careful as you get to know your campus and the community surrounding it. There are some basic safety guidelines that you should pay special attention to:
- It is often not safe to walk alone at night. Always ask someone to accompany you if you are unsure about the area you are going to. Many campuses have accompaniment services to assist students that have to return from classes or the library in the evening hours.
- It is sometimes unsafe to use public transportation (subways) alone at night. Always ask someone to accompany you.
- Be certain to lock your dorm room and car doors and windows whenever you leave them. Never leave valuables (including cash, credit cards, cell phones) unattended and out in the open – even in a locked room.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash.
- Never accept a ride from a stranger, nor offer a ride to a stranger.
Extracurricular activities
We recommend that you take advantage of the extensive teams, clubs, arts/cultural events, trips and other activities that Fisher College offers. You will have a good time, meet new people and make friends for life.
You can participate in intramural sports, which are relatively informal for students looking to learn a new sport or just have a good time, or join Fisher College's athletic clubs to participate on a more serious level. College level athletic teams offer competitive, intercollegiate varsity teams for those interested in a serious, season-long commitment to a sport played at a high level.
Fisher College offers many clubs and organizations that encompass a wide variety of activities. Many students join a club to meet other students who share their interests, but some recommend that you do not join more than 2 or 3 clubs so as to not lose focus on your studies.
Meeting people and making friends is an important part of your university experience. Be friendly, but be yourself and be polite. Saying, “please,” and "thank you," are important American customs, and your personal friendships will improve if you express your gratitude and appreciation to those around you. Remember, too, that you are an ambassador of sorts and your attitudes and behavior will influence people's opinion of your home country.
Official College closings
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You should receive an academic calendar when you arrive at Fisher College. Take special note of public holidays when the College will not hold classes. Please be advised that you need to make arrangements for your accommodation and meals when the College is officially closed during the Thanksgiving, winter and spring vacations.
