For international students coming to the US for college, the move brings a wealth of opportunities, but the adjustment can also be nerve-wracking! Students face not only academic adjustments – perhaps a different style of teaching math, for example, or even a different language – but also social norms, communication styles, and campus life traditions, all of which may be vastly different than they are used to. While experiencing some culture shock, homesickness, and even nerves is normal, the key is preparing ahead, being adaptable, and being open-minded.
Here are a few examples of cultural differences international students may encounter in the US:
Academic Independence and Informality
In many cultures, professors are treated with a high degree of formality, but in the US, many professors encourage students to openly challenge ideas, ask questions during class, and engage in casual discussions about academic and non-academic topics, like a student’s hobbies and interests. Some professors – though certainly not all – may even ask students to address them by their first name! Informality also extends to clothing – many students may dress casually for class, with jeans and even sweat pants falling and shorts falling within the norm. While leaning into a less formal learning environment can feel awkward at first, it can be important for strengthening your relationships with professors and classmates.
Diversity and Inclusivity on Campus
American colleges uniquely emphasize diversity and inclusion: campuses celebrate a variety of cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ethnicities across the college class. Many colleges even have special housing, student centers, orientation programs, and clubs for students who identify with a particular culture, gender identity, or sexual orientation, for example. One of those student centers may be geared toward international students. For students who come from more homogenous or conservative cultures, diversity and inclusion can be a culture shock – but exploring your identity is an important part of the US college experience, and can be a great way to connect with others. Diversity and inclusion on campus also extends to equality: students from more conservative culture may be surprised to see co-ed dorms in which students can live together regardless of their gender.
The Role of Clubs and Sports on Campus
In many countries, college is largely academic, focused on coursework and learning. But in the US, learning and connecting with peers outside of the classroom is emphasized as well. Many US colleges have sports events, especially football or basketball games, which draw thousands of students and are the source of great school pride. While international students may not be accustomed to these events, and may not be able to relate, participating is a great way to engage with American culture and be part of shared experiences that help you connect with your college class.
It’s not only sports, but also clubs and organizations that are important to the college experience in the US. Many students will join a band, participate in academic or extracurricular clubs like Model UN, engage in activism and social justice, and even be part of fraternities and sororities – social clubs which are typical on college campuses. These clubs and organizations not only provide opportunities to socialize, but are also often pivotal networking opportunities. Many students find their next internship or job opportunity through these tight-knit communities!
The Art of “Selling Yourself”
In some countries, modesty is prized, and students are taught not to talk about their achievements publicly. But in the US, students are often encouraged to promote their achievements, whether in college admissions essays, interviews, resumes, networking events, or even social situations. In fact, students who fail to do so may be excluded from valuable opportunities.
No matter how prepared you are to transition to the US, culture shock can still hit hard. These four cultural differences only begin to scratch the surface! If you need help adjusting, remember that you have resources available to help you through Hermiona. And most importantly, remember that overcoming cultural differences will make you a more adaptable and open minded individual, not only in college, but far beyond.
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