International Student Experience Part 1: Culture Shock

Columbia Business School Orientation, January 2008

[@lnmzq]

I'm not an international student but I still find this helpful for understanding what international students go through when they come to the US. So thank you for uploading this series of videos - great for bridging the cultural divide both ways!

[@Dayilove305]

I came to america when i was 15 and after one month i started in high school, the only thing i remember is that i cried every night, i dont remember my first 4 months here. Now i love it!!!

[@NewPaltzIndie]

as an american studying overseas in scotland i found this very informative with the culture shock phase

[@SerbAtheist]

The first culture shock a foreign student experiences is actually having a seminar on culture shock!

[@lt7153]

the dime is smaller than the nickel!!! never ceases to amaze me

[@Ascidzz]

I think the biggest thing here is that people look at America, which has an incredible amount of cultures due to so many people that decided to emigrate here, like we are so backwards and different; confusing. However, like Nonya Buzness stated, go live somewhere else all your life. Many people follow different trends in different places and you don't have to follow them all. You can create your own or just BE YOURSELF. That is something that is brilliant in the United States and many countries.

[@professorjacqueline]

This is my favorite orientation anywhere......

[@TheDatsunKing]

His english is SO GOOD.

[@achenyootigba8039]

Amazing!!! Exactly what I experienced the first time!

[@evelynstevens]

Wonderful presentation. I love it!

[@lancejohnson454]

A new book/ebook: "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.” Endorsed worldwide by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding, including students. It even has chapters that identify the most common English grammar and speech problems foreigners have and tips for overcoming them. Good luck to all!

[@Ascidzz]

That being said, I understand that people have to adapt to new cultures. But in America (and many other countries) there is really no one solid culture. There are so many different "styles" for lack of a better word. I'm sure that if I traveled to Sweden and lived there for a year or two, I would experience quite a bit of what this young man has. However like I said there are are so many different people that are a little more comfortable adapting to new situations. Everyone is different.

[@Stellana]

"How come the dime is smaller than the nickle??" XD That's a pretty good point.

[@FreeInternetDownload]

Great suggestions on feeling comfortable abroad.

[@faszafasza]

what a shame that after the 8th min there is no sound, not even with safari...

[@nekalikeadove7569]

This definitely gives you another way to view yourself and others. I found this video to be induce mind-provoking ideas that will lead to true acceptance of others.

[@escapematrixenterprisejacq7810]

All true all of this! I got to a point I would pretend I wasnt american being embarrassed when I saw them walking down the streets with flip flops and big frompy t-shirts. In the beginning stages I rushed to seek out other english-speaking people, then I realized I'd never be fluent if I did that.

[@ibrahimasadov5945]

Thats something we all experience as a foreign student, mate !

[@BloggerMusicMan]

I've had the reverse experience (almost). I'm a Canadian who spent a semester and summer in Israel, and it was an incredible experience, but there was definitely culture shock. I think it's easier to live abroad if English is your native language, because most people around the world now know at least some English. But there was definitely some shock with food and behaviour. I love the directness and lack of frivolity that the Israelis generally have, but I hated the customer service.

[@yuruihu2851]

it's hard to join some classmates and they never greet me so chilly.. I try to talk with them but they have no patience with me at all....

[@jumpingjoy20]

lol. As an American I can say some of these quirks bug me too. Especially the "let's hang out sometime." I don't ever say that unless I mean it.

[@alexwoolner5681]

This video is great, but is it available somewhere with subtitles for international English Second Language students to follow?

[@doukoure3468]

Helpful video, i have the same feelings right now in China. And i'm all the time like "what Am i doing here?". I understand now. And i better stop hating everything even though most of the time peoples are really good to me. Thank you man

[@doukoure3468]

@@NagwaAbdallah-ug1tl it can be. But You'll get better, are u planning to go?

[@shinigamisnight]

Many of the things he has talked about are why I feel a bit out of place in the US, even though I was born and raised here. Although I respect my country and feel like it's home, I keep having a hard time connecting with most general 'Americanisms' (for lack of a better phrase).

[@Spartan18a]

I love this video, it's a pity that the recording quality is not very good because I'm using it in my calss with my students and they have problems with the sound sometimes. I was wondering if it would be too much to ask you for the Power point presentation. What do you think? Are you willing to share it? Obviously, I'll respect the copyright and always says that it's yours. Thanks.

[@Trendynazzgirl]

thanks for posting!

[@Anoldaccount988]

It's not really fake but more like being polite. If they don't boldly set a date asking when your free take it as politeness.

[@shinigamisnight]

I wasn't saying my experience was the same, just that I'm often baffled/disconnected with things I see everyday. And I would like to live elsewhere for at least a moment, but I'm not able to financially.

[@NeroDeamon]

thnx fr posting this vid

[@BloggerMusicMan]

(cont) I also really wanted pork when I came back. It's really interesting to hear the reverse perspective.

[@wesmont87]

this is why I always BYOB (bring your own bacon)

[@jypsipixie]

can I use this in my classes? I'm teaching participants how to support immigrant students

[@KpopKnitter]

I am too. I'm planning on going next september, what about you?

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

This needs subtitles, can't use it in class without... too difficult to hear many words. Can you do a copy on youtube with subtitles?

[@Deia19919]

where can i find the article for this review???? PLZ

[@Anoldaccount988]

That's true. As an American when you back up and look from afar a lot of people really are happy to lucky but some act like they hate their lives and are really mean like my neighbor two houses down from me >:3 heffer. *rolls eyes* I don't know how her husband lives with her.

[@JenKumar]

where's the sound after 8 minutes? :(

[@Klaumarg]

I have a class about this issue can you send me your slide presentation

[@georgef551]

I'm getting seasick watching this.....

[@pause103]

That is so true !!!! love it

[@anarovsky1]

it's not hard to listen, it's difficult to understand (but it's pretty clear)

[@mstrswrd]

@MedicazosVidaReal He said he's from Israel at around 0:35.

[@iraki2313]

can you make a eng sub for it ? :D it is very hard to listen :D

[@shtomer]

מעולה :-)

[@deltafour1212]

Please, don't ever take this exchange student orientation video series down.

[@lykhunglong123]

Can you send me your slide? Thank you so much !

[@schtrl]

Hilarious and correct representation of the US!

[@kennedyosifo3326]

This shit is real mehn 😂

[@MaknaeCarrot]

Seriously, I sympathixe it.

[@vratsi]

i guess we could live from anything,,

[@TJK911]

Surprisingly, I don't. Works fine on mind but I'm running Firefox 3. Kai here btw. Your nick reveals all lol.

[@ka7hy]

@randall2020 Not everyone learns a foreign language at the same pace. Sorry that some of us can't equate your awesome ability to properly SPEAK foreign languages. I guess you must master some languages other than your own, uh? I'm jealous!

[@erikyuribee]

ahahha thats so true !!! u should watch The Boondocks!!!!

[@deltafour1212]

Ladies, trust me, every American guy LOVES a woman with any European accent. Guys, American women LOVES men with any European accent. So if you need help DO NOT be afraid to ask. They will be more than willing to help. This is coming from an American :)

[@wesmont87]

seriously if u have a euro accent it must be like playing the game on easy mode

[@hiddenname9809]

I think the biggest thing that jumped on me is the same thing he said. I know people want to be seen as always positive but the fakeness is really a turn off because you know it's a lie. How are you doing? I'm fine. End of conversation. When I ask how someone is doing, I mean it. I really want to know how you're doing. Please don't answer me with Fine! or Good!

[@wesmont87]

It's called being polite -- asker doesn't really want to know how you're really doing, that would be awkward to hear about your personal stuff. And they don't want to tell you how they really feel, because also awkward and rude to tell their personal issues to you. So you ask how someone's doing to be polite. It would be rude not to. If that's the foreign perspective, they'd probably be surprised to know that many Americans find foreigners to be rude and overly gruff when we travel abroad. If you want genuinely friendly Muricans, try the South. But then again it's the South.

[@MegaSremac]

If you want to learn more about the possibilities of studying in America check out this facebook page: I want to study in USA

[@Itshardtopronuncius]

:) this is just exactly what i'm thinking

[@Anoldaccount988]

*happy GO lucky* mistype whoopsies!! lol. :) :3

[@haitemasd79]

He said the he wants to go back home. where is his home? in Israel ! Palestine ! It is not his home, it is Palestinian home.

[@nonyabuzness6457]

It is not the same at all...do not delude yourself. Why don't you go to Israel, or any country, and live alone for a few years...

[@joycecruz3140]

Brazul

[@MedicazosVidaReal]

Where is this white guy from? His accent is weird.

[@nayei1204]

It's PALESTINE.

[@lostalex77]

@jumpingjoy20 liar.

[@rjr130]

Lots of Chinese. That must be stink!

[@geesalem5559]

your home is actually Europe not Palestine :)

[@williamjames212]

Gee Salem His 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱.

[@reneeabramsonhalilgoger9397]

Israeli.