I came to america when i was 15 and after one month i started in high school, the only thing i remember is that i cried every night, i dont remember my first 4 months here. Now i love it!!!
I'm not an international student but I still find this helpful for understanding what international students go through when they come to the US. So thank you for uploading this series of videos - great for bridging the cultural divide both ways!
This definitely gives you another way to view yourself and others. I found this video to be induce mind-provoking ideas that will lead to true acceptance of others.
I love this video, it's a pity that the recording quality is not very good because I'm using it in my calss with my students and they have problems with the sound sometimes. I was wondering if it would be too much to ask you for the Power point presentation. What do you think? Are you willing to share it? Obviously, I'll respect the copyright and always says that it's yours. Thanks.
Helpful video, i have the same feelings right now in China. And i'm all the time like "what Am i doing here?". I understand now. And i better stop hating everything even though most of the time peoples are really good to me. Thank you man
I've had the reverse experience (almost). I'm a Canadian who spent a semester and summer in Israel, and it was an incredible experience, but there was definitely culture shock. I think it's easier to live abroad if English is your native language, because most people around the world now know at least some English. But there was definitely some shock with food and behaviour. I love the directness and lack of frivolity that the Israelis generally have, but I hated the customer service.
A new book/ebook: "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.” Endorsed worldwide by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding, including students. It even has chapters that identify the most common English grammar and speech problems foreigners have and tips for overcoming them. Good luck to all!
All true all of this! I got to a point I would pretend I wasnt american being embarrassed when I saw them walking down the streets with flip flops and big frompy t-shirts. In the beginning stages I rushed to seek out other english-speaking people, then I realized I'd never be fluent if I did that.
I think the biggest thing here is that people look at America, which has an incredible amount of cultures due to so many people that decided to emigrate here, like we are so backwards and different; confusing. However, like Nonya Buzness stated, go live somewhere else all your life. Many people follow different trends in different places and you don't have to follow them all. You can create your own or just BE YOURSELF. That is something that is brilliant in the United States and many countries.
I wasn't saying my experience was the same, just that I'm often baffled/disconnected with things I see everyday. And I would like to live elsewhere for at least a moment, but I'm not able to financially.
That being said, I understand that people have to adapt to new cultures. But in America (and many other countries) there is really no one solid culture. There are so many different "styles" for lack of a better word. I'm sure that if I traveled to Sweden and lived there for a year or two, I would experience quite a bit of what this young man has. However like I said there are are so many different people that are a little more comfortable adapting to new situations. Everyone is different.
Many of the things he has talked about are why I feel a bit out of place in the US, even though I was born and raised here. Although I respect my country and feel like it's home, I keep having a hard time connecting with most general 'Americanisms' (for lack of a better phrase).
That's true. As an American when you back up and look from afar a lot of people really are happy to lucky but some act like they hate their lives and are really mean like my neighbor two houses down from me >:3 heffer. *rolls eyes* I don't know how her husband lives with her.
I think the biggest thing that jumped on me is the same thing he said. I know people want to be seen as always positive but the fakeness is really a turn off because you know it's a lie. How are you doing? I'm fine. End of conversation. When I ask how someone is doing, I mean it. I really want to know how you're doing. Please don't answer me with Fine! or Good!
It's called being polite -- asker doesn't really want to know how you're really doing, that would be awkward to hear about your personal stuff. And they don't want to tell you how they really feel, because also awkward and rude to tell their personal issues to you. So you ask how someone's doing to be polite. It would be rude not to. If that's the foreign perspective, they'd probably be surprised to know that many Americans find foreigners to be rude and overly gruff when we travel abroad. If you want genuinely friendly Muricans, try the South. But then again it's the South.
@randall2020 Not everyone learns a foreign language at the same pace. Sorry that some of us can't equate your awesome ability to properly SPEAK foreign languages. I guess you must master some languages other than your own, uh? I'm jealous!
Ladies, trust me, every American guy LOVES a woman with any European accent. Guys, American women LOVES men with any European accent. So if you need help DO NOT be afraid to ask. They will be more than willing to help. This is coming from an American :)
