<p>B.C i think.</p>
<p>it stands for before christ. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.C._%28comic_strip%29%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.C._%28comic_strip%29</a></p>
<p>I am a person who typically attempts to keep away from threads like this, but I feel compelled to stand up for ustas. Nowhere in his post did he imply that international students were inferior in any way. He certainly did not insinuate that they were uncivilized, beastly cavemen who can't quite seem to remain clothed. Adapting to college is a difficult process, and he was simply seeking some assurances that everything was going to be okay. I think all of us are hoping that we and our roommates will have a lot in common. I for one don't think there is anything wrong with the OP asking others what he can expect from what will undoubtedly be a very new and different experience. After all, isn't that what this forum is all about?</p>
<p>There are some things that seem basic that you might have to explain. I'm from Alabama, so we have all these kooky backwoods phrases that foreigners and even just non-southerners don't understand, that I end up having to explain to some of my friends who aren't from here, even other Americans from different regions (like "looks like the bottom's about to fall out" meaning "it's about to rain", and others). And then there are things that my friend from Honduras is like, "what the crap?" over, because it's just culture differences from America. </p>
<p>Oh and you might have to explain or remind about all the holidays too- sometimes they forget about random holidays like Martin Luther King day.</p>
<p>Yeah, Shadow, I agree with you.</p>
<p>I guess its "As long as you can understand their English, you should be completely fine." that put me off. Just because English is the native language of a person, does not automatically make the person good at it.</p>
<p>I think it would be really cool to have a roomate from a different country. My friend's roomate is from Japan and I am so jealous. My roomate is from Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>But you may have to explain certain things to them. One of my friends is from the Middle East and knows a lot about America, speaks the language etc, but she didn't know what the underground railroad was or who Harriet Tubman was. When I found this out I of course screamed "what" really loudly and then calmed down remembering that she wasn't from here and explained it to her. You'll probably have to do things like that.</p>
<p>who's Harriet Tubman?</p>
<p>ok.. i'll just google!</p>
<p>all im trying to say is that we're not THAT different. its like AUlostchick said, there are just a few things to explain. its not a big issue.</p>
<p>ustas06,</p>
<p>You are one lucky freshman! I hope you and your new roommate (international or not) will become wonderful friends. </p>
<p>If you are not ready for cultural diversity now (so soon, as you said), will you ever be? Will you make a point of getting to know some internationals in college? Sit next to one in class and start a conversation? Or will you seek out more of what you are familiar with at your high school? [For that matter, will you challenge yourself with classes in subjects that are unfamiliar to you?]</p>
<p>How different is an international than someone from a state thousands of miles away, say Alaska, or a socioeconomic class very different from yours? A Cajun from Lousiana will likely have an accent as heavy as someone from Eastern Europe or Asia. Their food may be as different as well. A farmer's life will be night and day to the routines of a city office worker.</p>
<p>Emotionally, an international feels no different than you. After the excitement of the first few weeks on campus, you may feel homesick and that homecooked Thanksgiving dinner will sound wonderful. An international student will also feel homesick, only more so. At least, you will be tasting familiar food on campus, even if it falls below the cooking standard of home. For all we know they have to forego the ubiquitious pizza at parties because they are lactose-intolerant, or the beer because it's not as good as their home brew. They are thousands of miles away and going home may be out of the question for any 'short' 4-day weekend.</p>
<p>As one of the responders has said, you will be the American ambassador. At the same time the internationals will be ambassadors of their home country. Will your roommate be writing home and describing American students as cold, unfriendly, eurocentric, parochial, cliquish, etc.? Or will s/he be writing about how welcoming you've been and showing him/her how to make new friend in the States and what life is like State side?</p>
<p>True, you may meet up with some not so pleasant or friendly international. There are as many unpleasant or unfriendly foreigners as unpleasant or unfriendly Americans. Let's hope that the RAs, the International Student Office and the Student Life/Housing Dept. will be able to help in those cases.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can read up on his or her country and culture before you meet up. Think of things you may have in common - going to college (why? how?), food (comfort foods?), friends (who do you seek out?), family (size, structure, expectations?), emotions (likes, dislikes, biases, homesickness?), culture (is there such a thing as a national character? How do you fit those profiles?). With today's accelerating globalization, you will have an excellent start to appreciate it by making full use this college opportunity. You are one lucky freshman!</p>
<p>Enjoy your next four years!</p>
<p>Amen (10 chars)</p>
<p>to bandw: very well said!!</p>
<p>BandW, i love you. i wish you were my room mate.</p>
<p>i had an international roommate once (girl from Hong Kong). she was really nice (foreign teens these days are pretty "westernized") but she had a few different habits/customs (eg, talking about other people in a critical way very freely...this wasn't just her, there were several HK kids who were the same. it's not gossippy per se...just very earnest.)</p>
<p>i've also had a roommate from spain. she was a partier. she was nice and lots of fun, but not the most considerate. i also think premarital sex is a lot less taboo in her country (not that it is inordinately taboo here)...</p>
<p>well said badw.</p>
<p>People from different countries can view ordinary things in very different ways. For instance, in France, people are considered very rude for talking as loudly as Americans usually do in restaurants or for not speaking to a cashier.</p>
<p>Consequently, it's possible that you and your roommate may misperceive each other unless both of you take the time to check out any concerns. Something that may seem like great rudeness to one of you may be something that the other person wouldn't even think about because it would not hold any meaning in their culture.</p>
<p>There are a series of books called "Culture Shock" that describe cultural norms in various countries. This includes things like body language, topics that are considered impolite, etc. Here's a list of the books. Perhaps one has info about your rooomate's country: <a href="http://www.escapeartist.com/cultureshock/books.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.escapeartist.com/cultureshock/books.htm</a></p>
<p>Whether or not you can find a Culture Shock book that is about your roommate's country, it would probably be helpful for you to do some reading about their country and culture.</p>
<p>Well you'll get used to your roomie or you can always switch, right? (he might do it first who knows) </p>
<p>Just remember.. we were all immigrants once (or your grand parents great great greeat... grand parants etc)</p>
<p>I was an exchange student to Chile last year. People really seemed to like me. I'm sure you'll have culture clash sometimes but everything should be fine.</p>
<p>I made the best friend of my life on exchange - he is from Germany. I know Europeans are very PLEASANT people. South Americans are alright.</p>
<p>OHH btw. Definitely read the culture shock book on the country of your roommate. </p>
<p>Actually consider yourself lucky that your going to make a new friend from another country. It should be an excellent experience. Maybe you'll even learn another language if you try.</p>
<p>i am a international student and my roommate will be an american..i am not really concerned about the whole culture shock stuff...i went to a american high school so i have pretty much adjusted to the culture...even before that i went to american schools in my home country..i am just hoping that he is a good decent guy...everything else will work itself out.</p>
<p>i am an international from eastern europe. see, it's not like we're from a whole different world and don't know how to use a fork or cross a street. europeans are just a little more rude, sneaky, smoke and drink more than average teens here. also get ready for some america-bashing and nostalgic moods.</p>