Folium: Immigrants Explain What Shocked Them About American Culture via VICE
Folium: Immigrants Explain What Shocked Them About American Culture via VICE
…
Connect
…
Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. For those who are newcomers to the United States there is such a thing called an “American culture shock.” I can imagine immigrants in a state of disorientation while walking through an American grocery store for the first time. The effects of culture shock are high when someone goes from living in extreme poverty to extreme wealth. A condition of disorientation affecting someone who is suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture such as international students.
“American kids are very active in the classroom. They even say things before they raise their hand. Students eat in [my] classroom, which is forbidden in China. Often you are rewarded here for being an extrovert. Basically an introvert cannot survive in your classroom” – VICE
One of the most common challenges international students face is dealing with this American “culture shock.” In Serena Solomon’s article she takes various examples of those who came to America for the first time. Studying internationally is a new experience for everyone, and with new experiences come new challenges. There is reason that you may occasionally feel confused, unsure and uncomfortable in the United States. People may have different values and new ways of doing things that seem strange to you. You may feel that everything has changed, including your immediate support system of family and friends.
“[In conversations with Americans], I feel uncomfortable, like I am not communicating in the right way. I can’t conduct a conversation in three minutes. Maybe I take ten minutes. I don’t think in English. This is how an immigrant brain works. I talk in my head in Urdu, but then I have to speak in English.” – VICE
Of the many experiences that Solomon shares in her article, this one stood out to me the most; Ben van den Heever of South Africa shared that “Once we got here, we ate corn dogs almost every day for lunch, little pizzas for snacks, and sugary cereals for breakfast.” This really struck a chord in me because in all honesty that pretty much sums up the American middle class. Oh, yes. America is the land of big portions, endless choices, dining out and free refills. The way that these immigrants eat will change forever. I think this is probably the biggest thing for those who are traveling into our country and experience life here for the first time.
…
How does one describe the glory of Wegmans to an immigrant?
…
After having traveled to a different country and living there for quite some time I can testify that I feel the way these people have felt. Although I grew up in the United States, living in such a poverty stricken place for so long left me with my jaw to the floor the first time I walked into the mall. Moving from one culture to another can be like an exciting experience or even a full of stress experience. Establishing connections between different cultures is as old as history and so I’m not surprised that many of those who travel to the United States for the first time experience such madness.
…
(Ed. Wanted to post two VERY different perspectives on this topic. Watch both and compare!)
…
…
…
Julie Martin
LEAF Editor & Contributor
…
