How to Overcome Culture Shock in America

Even before you come to the United States, we know you’ve already thought about hundreds of things you’ll need to know for life in America. You’ve probably imagined lots of ways life will be different for you, too. Even so, no matter how much you prepare, there will always be some things you are surprised by.

Greetings

1. When you first come to the United States, of course you will expect everyone to say hello. What you may not expect is so many people asking “How are you?” It may seem strange at first, but in the US, asking “how are you?” is just an extended version of “Hello!” No one expects you to respond with a 500-character essay. A simple, “Good, thank you,” “I’m fine,” or “Good, and you?” is enough.

Of course, there are a variety of ways to ask this too, such as “How’s it going?” or “Hey, what’s up?” Just remember that a simple answer is all that’s expected.

2. Anyone who has lived in the States has probably already experienced the American way of giving compliments. “I like your dress,” “I like your shoes,” “I love your t-shirt!” are all phrases Americans use often. This is similar to when Americans say “how are you?” It’s just a way to start a conversation. A simple “thank you” is enough.

Living Here

The differences between life in the United States and life at home is noticeable in every aspect of daily life. Let’s look at some of biggest challenges and differences you’ll encounter.

1. Clothes

Buying Clothes

Generally, you shouldn’t have a problem finding clothes here. The sizes range from 0-14. If you are very slim, you may find that “petite” size fits you better. Ask the store if they offer petite sizes, or you can check online. If you have a shoe size 6 or smaller, you can also check the children’s section for shoes!

Washing Clothes

Typically, in the United States, people use washing machines and dryers instead of hanging clothes out to dry. Your school campus or dorms will probably have laundry machines. If you want to dry clothes in your dorm room, you can purchase small drying racks to keep in your room.

2. Food

The differences in food between Chinese and American food culture is not only a difference of flavors and dishes, but also about what kinds of food is available in the United States.

1. 1. Taste

You can get authentic-tasting Chinese food in the United States! However, at some restaurants, you’ll find out that the “Chinese” food is really American-style Chinese food. You might even notice that there are “Chinese” dishes you’ve never heard of before, like “orange chicken” or a “fried noodle sandwich.”

1. 2. Portion Sizes

When you’re ordering at American restaurants, just remember: Big is HUGE. Keep this in mind to avoid ordering too much food.

1. 3. Water.

Restaurants in the US usually don’t provide hot water. The waiter will usually offer several choices of water: tap water, bottled water, or sparkling water. Tap water is usually free; bottled or sparkling often costs extra.

1. 4. Tipping.

It’s important in the US to leave a tip for your waiter, especially if you’ve received very good service. A good rule is to leave about 15% of the amount of your total bill as the tip. If you’re paying with a credit card, you can add a tip on the receipt with your signature.

1. 5. Taking Pictures

American students also like to take pictures of their food sometimes, especially students who are active on social media. So if you order some food that is especially beautiful or interesting, feel free to snap away!

3. Getting a haircut.

Haircuts in the US might be very different than what you are used to at home. The first thing you’ll need to do is make a reservation. Word-of-mouth is a good way to find recommendations. Try asking your friends who have nice haircuts where they got their hair done.

Second, know that haircuts can be very expensive in the US. In addition, a hair washing and massage cost extra. You also might find it difficult to communicate efficiently with your stylist. Try saving some pictures of the style you like to your phone to show the stylist.  

For boys, it’s fine if you go to a traditional barbershop. Girls might want to look for a hair salon or studio. You might also feel more comfortable going to a salon with Japanese, Korean, or Chinese stylists. Another option is to try and do it yourself! It’s easy to find the tools and materials you need to cut or dye your own hair in the United States.

4. Online Shopping

In the United States, fast shipping can be very expensive. Regular shipping usually means your package will take 5-7 days to arrive. Amazon Prime can usually deliver in two days, but it’s not always guaranteed. The best thing to do is just order in advance!

5. Telephone Customer Service

The telephone customer service in the United States can be a very different experience than it is in China. It can be a bit of a nightmare, as many of the customer service lines use automated machines. The wait to speak to a representative can be very long: sometimes as long as 45 minutes! Try to call in the morning if you can, as they will probably be less busy. Also, it can sometimes help to use an online chat service, if one is offered, or to just go to the store directly.

6. Public Toilet

Inevitably, when you’re out exploring the city or shopping, you’ll need a public toilet. However, in the United States, there aren’t public toilets on the streets, and many scenic attractions or parks just have portable toilets. When you need a toilet while you’re out, Starbucks is one of your best options. In addition to Starbucks, other fast-food chains or supermarkets sometimes have public restrooms. Just keep in mind that some restaurants and cafes will have a password on the bathroom. If you need a code, just buy a coffee or water and ask the cashier for the password.

7. Public transportation

In the United States, the public transportation is not always very well-developed, especially in suburban or rural areas. If you are going to school in a big city, there will probably be some subway lines, but it may not be as well-developed as you are used to at home. Also, in some cities, the subways systems are often delayed as well.

It’s a good idea to have a car, if you can. Keep in mind that cities in the US tend to be very large and spread out, so walking is not always a good option.

School life

As an international student, there are so many new things that you’ll experience as American culture and culture at your new university. So what is it really like to study in the United States?

1. Freshman 15 is real

If you haven’t heard of the “Freshman 15” yet, you will soon! The “freshman 15” is a phrase that suggests that every college student will gain 15 pounds (6 kg) during their freshman year. This is usually because most colleges require freshmen to purchase a meal plan for the school cafeteria, and American universities are famous for their unhealthy foods. How can you not gain weight when you have an unlimited supply of French fries, pizza and burgers?

2. Freedom of choosing what class you want to take

One thing that many students enjoy about American universities is the freedom to choose your classes. American universities generally encourage students to try many different kinds of courses and explore many interests to discover the things you are passionate about. As a result, it’s not essential to declare a major when you first begin university. As long as you choose a major by your sophomore year, you should be able to complete all the requirements on time.

Even though there is a lot of freedom to choose your courses, it’s important to remember that most liberal arts colleges and universities require students to complete classes in a variety of subjects. For example, you’ll probably have to take classes in math, writing, foreign language, and so on, even if you’re majoring in something else. Check the requirements of your school to be sure.

3. Quizzes, Midterms, group projects and other assignments

At your university, you will probably have a lot of assignments and projects to juggle. There are also lots of different kinds of assignments you must get used to. You will have quizzes or tests in each class. These can be scheduled in advance or the professor can give a “pop quiz” as a surprise. There are also midterms as a test in the middle of the semester. Your professor may also assign a project for you to work on with a group of your classmates. Of course, there are also papers to write for your professors, or you might have to give a speech or presentation in front of your class.

Also, all of these can be put in different combinations to form new assignments! There will be a lot to juggle, but it will become easier eventually.

4. Participation is key

In the United States, many professors expect students to participate in class by asking questions and sharing their opinions. Some professors even specifically ask their TA’s (teaching assistants) to record how students are participating and factor that information into your grade! Many international students find it difficult to speak up in class at first. Don’t worry if it takes you some time to adjust to this! If you’re having trouble, you can ask your professors for help.

4. American dressing style

You might be surprised to find that your American classmates dress very casually compared with your friends and classmates in China. Unless you live in a big city like New York or Los Angeles, you will find that most students dress quite casually. Many students wear T-shirts or pullover hoodies, with leggings for girls or casual shorts for boys. And on sunny days, most people wear sunglasses rather than carrying an umbrella.

Thankfully, in the US, no one will care too much about what you wear. You’re free to follow the local customs, continue with your own style, or experiment with something new.

5. Umbrella

In general, almost no one uses umbrellas in the US. You might already know that Americans don’t use umbrellas when it’s sunny. Not only that, but many people don’t even use umbrellas on rainy or snowy days. Some people feel that carrying around an umbrella is too inconvenient, so people usually just wear a jacket and a hat. Or, in rural areas, lots of people drive everywhere they need to go, so there is less need for an umbrella.

6. American Parties

The party culture in American universities typically involves a lot of drinking. Usually, parties will be held on Thursday to Sunday evenings. Anyone can organize a party, although there are different kinds. A frat party or dorm party are two popular ones. Typically, there will be drinking games at any party you go to. Also, sometimes people “pre-game” by drinking before they go to the party.

7. Sensitive fire alarm

In the US, there are fire alarms in bedrooms and apartments that will go off if a certain amount of smoke is detected. However, these are usually very sensitive and even small things, like burning something in the microwave, can trigger an alarm. You will, at least once, probably have to evacuate your dorm at 2am because someone burned popcorn in the microwave and the fire alarms went off.