Introduction to American Life. Friendship with Americans. Classroom Culture.
Managing Money. Health and Wellness ...
Kate Burrill IAIN Sunan Ampel
[email protected]
Introduction
to American Life Friendship with Americans Classroom Culture Managing Money Health and Wellness
Time
◦ “Time is money” ◦ Time is valuable—achievement-oriented society ◦ Be on time ◦ Deadlines must be met
Communication
◦ Direct and clear ◦ “Get to the point” ◦ Ask a lot of questions ◦ Just say “no” if you don’t know ◦ Eye contact is a must
Safe
topics to discuss with anyone:
◦ The weather ◦ Classes and jobs ◦ Sports ◦ Entertainment (movies, music) ◦ Fashion, shopping, clothes Topics
you only discuss with close friends:
◦ Money, how much one earns ◦ Family ◦ Religion
Status
and Hierarchy
◦ “All [people] are created equal.” –Declaration of Independence ◦ Individualistic culture, more value on accomplishments than age, race, family background
Status and Hierarchy
Students and professors sometimes use first names with each other
Friendliness
and
Openness ◦ Friendly at first, but value privacy and independence ◦ Need to go over higher walls before reaching the stage of a good friendship.
Americans
Other Countries
Americans
prefer independence and
privacy ◦ Prefer to do something themselves rather than ask a friend to do it To
make friends:
◦ Don’t be afraid to start a conversation ◦ Get involved in campus activities and clubs ◦ Be aware of differences that may cause misunderstandings
Of
course: being on time is important! Mix of teacher-centered and learnercentered ◦ Depends on the professor ◦ In general, U.S. classrooms are more learnercentered than the rest of the world
Classes
are taught by a professor, instructor, or graduate assistant Value of student perspective ◦ Students are expected to ask questions ◦ Students are allowed to openly disagree with teacher ◦ Participation is very important
More
than 4,900 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. ◦ They have a wide range in price. ◦ 2-year institution or 4-year institution?
Ways
of getting enough money:
◦ Undergraduate Program Scholarships Academic Merit Financial Need Special skills (sports, music, leadership)
◦ Graduate program Research assistantship Teaching assistantship Scholarships
Budget/Spending
Plan
◦ Get one and stick to it! ◦ Use cash instead of debit card, less likely to spend. Try keeping a spending journal for one month. Envelope System ◦ Put monthly amount in an envelope – when gone – no more.
Culture
Shock Ways to De-stress: ◦ Talk to family and friends ◦ Daily physical activity ◦ Remember to laugh Nutrition
◦ Eat a mix of the right foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) ◦ Americans eat too much. Don’t be like them!
EducationUSA.or.id office in Surabaya! Aminef.or.id http://jmuiscblog.com/
◦ James Madison University international students blog
Of course, it’s different for everyone. But there are some general similarities for all Americans starting university. First of all: Most students move away from home for the first time.
The University of California, Davis
This
is where I lived:
Student Activities
Some activities in the dorm
that’s me!
! t c e r r o c you’re
Do
you have any questions?
