Living in a different culture and experiencing the way of life in the USA is a point of excitement for many international students. Moving to a totally new country can be a daunting task for many. There are some students who want to do as much research as possible and learn more about the country they are about to move into. They also want to understand key cultural differences between their own country and the U.S.A.
The way another culture goes about their day-to-day life can be in stark contrast to someone who is from a country on the other side of the planet. The fashion sense, cuisine, and general social behavior are different in the United States. This is one of the primary reasons why multiple applicants rely on study visa consultants in their home country to educate them on proper etiquette before they embark on a new academic journey.
Below we will share some aspects of U.S culture that international students can find informative:
Being Yourself
Individuality is one of the core values of a US citizen. Being independent and having a sense of self is a core belief among the population as a whole. Americans value having their own sense of style and like differentiating themselves from others. Freedom is deeply rooted in US history. US citizens also do not hesitate to voice their opinions about a topic and this might catch an international student off guard at first. It might appear that a group of Americans is having a heated argument but they just might be having a casual debate. Many cultures do not encourage speaking about your own personal beliefs but the USA is not one of them. You can share your opinions with others in the USA and Americans believe it is their right to freedom of speech.
Time Management
Americans really value their time and treasure it. It is expected that people are extremely punctual and take schedules seriously. This is especially true in an educational institution. Americans generally do not talk about time in a general sense and tend to give exact values. Some cultures estimate time to be plus or minus 15 minutes and this is simply unacceptable in the United States. Arriving late or early without prior notification is discouraged and can be considered rude or impolite. International students must keep this in mind and ensure that they are always on time. In the event that you cannot make it, ensure that the other party is notified.
Work Ethic
Americans usually are very hard-working and passionate about their jobs. It is estimated that workers in the USA work for more hours than any other country, second only to South Korea. People in the US measure success by how much time you put into your work or study. It is common in the United States to work extra hours, especially at the beginning of your career. This applies to education as well. Putting in that extra effort really goes a long way to impress your professor and students must value their education since it isn’t exactly inexpensive. Recently, there has been a shift in this sentiment with young students preferring to have a work-life balance. However, professors and teaching assistants are usually older and still have a hard-working mentality. Being in the good books of your professors can lead to excellent references and a fulfilling career.
Public Etiquette
Being a large country in terms of sheer size, the USA has a history filled with expansion and growth. Americans view personal space in a different manner compared to other countries of the world. In public, they prefer to stand far apart from each other. You must try to avoid standing too close or in general, invading someone’s personal space. It is considered a sign of disrespect. If there is room to stand at least a couple of steps away it is respectful and considered good nature to do so. Americans value their personal space and while studying in the United States, you must also ensure to value your own.
Personal Hygiene
In general, the US population loves to maintain cleanliness and smell nice. It is quite common to see the average household spend a considerable amount on keeping their home clean and tidy. Products like fabric softeners and deodorants are also widely used in America since body odor is considered unpleasant. On the opposite end, using too much cologne is frowned upon, especially in enclosed spaces like the office or a classroom. A sizable population of Americans suffers from allergies and it is best to stick to basic deodorant. Furthermore, Americans are known to have a lot of dental procedures done and also take their oral hygiene seriously. In general, appearing well put together is key and you must ensure that these habits are perfected during your study period. Ensure that your USA study visa is put to good use and learn these key traits since these skills will carry on into your career.
Conclusion
While every country has its own unique features, the USA is especially unique in that it is an extremely developed nation. They are known for progressive laws and have a very open and accepting society. As an international student, you will not only grow academically but will also learn western etiquette and behavior, which can give you an advantage on a global scale.
