Points of Differences

Coming from a completely different setting with completely different customs, cultures and traditions presents international students with a situation of cultural shock and extreme adaptation. The beginning of the semester was a journey like no other. Most of the International students were homesick by mid October and it was a rough time as most of them wanted to go home. However, flying home wasn’t the option in mid-October and so international students had to adapt quickly to the Texan way of life and the way things were done here.

            One of the areas where we as international students had to adjust to was the language and the jokes. Apart from the language difference, at the beginning of the semester it was hard for most international students to get some of the American jokes, and sometimes when we were translating a joke from our native language it didn’t come across as funny. Therefore, most of us learnt that a language is a big part of a nation’s culture. The language that people speak defines its culture.

In addition, the food was extremely different, most of us come from countries where we don’t fry everything we eat, therefore that was a major difference. Most of us have boiled foods and food that is cooked with lots of other vegetables and so it took some time for us to get adjusted to Mabee and Coates food.

 Furthermore, the clothing here was relaxed, as students went to class in their  pajamas, but where most of us are from, you are never meant to be seen in your pajamas, they are only meant for sleeping. And whenever, you walk out of your house, you are supposed to be dressed well,  regardless of whether you are going to a nearby shop, class or restaurant.

Another thing that was really shocking to me, personally, was the meaning of the words, “let’s go out”, back home, if somebody says lets go out, they the ones who initiated the plan, are the ones paying, but here in Texas, you each bring your own money. It was really astonishing because back home people take you out and when they do, they pay all your bills. When your friends back home say ‘let’s go out,’

 You rest assured that they will be paying all of your bills.     

Therefore, for most of us it was a great learning experience as you get to see just how different our cultures really are and the importance that a language has in defining a culture.