Culture Shock

Coming to Plymouth, NH, you will encounter new things. Everything seems different. At first, your English may not serve you as well as expected. You may not be able to convey your full personality in English, or you may find unfamiliar expressions or words. Will you ever “fit in”, ever make friends? Taking care of daily tasks will be tiring and stressful at first because there is so much to learn. Everyone reacts differently to culture shock, but almost all international students have to deal with it to some degree. Some suggestions include:

Maintain your perspective. You are not alone. PSU professors, staff members, and students can help you ‘network’.
Evaluate your expectations. Your reactions to the U.S. and to PSU are products of the way things are here and your own expectations. Some expectations may be based on impressions from American films, or information that is outdated or unreliable in other ways.
Keep an open mind. People here might do or say things that people at home would not do or say. They are acting according to their own set of values, based on a different culture different. Take advantage of opportunities to discuss, both with Americans and other int’l students, to help you learn more about U.S. communication styles.
Americans are eager to help people, and want to provide assistance in an equal and fair manner. When a group of people is waiting, they expect to be helped on a first-come, first-served basis, in the order they arrived. To ensure a chance to speak with a PSU faculty/staff, email or telephone to see if an appointment is required.
Learn from experience. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Participate in and attend PSU activities. Get out there and meet people!
Allow time for rest and relaxation. Being in a new place is tiring, so relax!

It takes time for friendships to develop. You will get to know students, faculty and staff who will share their own experiences with you. We hope that you will leave PSU with many, many lifelong friends.

PSU embraces tolerance, individualism and responsibility for self. It is your duty and privilege to choose your own courses, field of interest, to respect and abide by PSU’s policies and expectations. Though personal preferences are never questioned, we are always willing to give advice, to help or to support your ideas. Faculty and staff are appointed and trained to give you the information you need and to help you make a reasonable choice.

American Customs and Values

Individualism
- An important aspect to understand about Americans. Many have been trained since an early age to view themselves as separate human beings who have their own opinions. They do not necessarily view themselves as members of a close-knit, tightly interdependent family, or religious group. The free, self-reliant individual is viewed as the ideal. Privacy: Closely associated with individualism. Americans give the impression that they are ‘open’, yet in American minds, there are certain boundaries people aren’t supposed to cross. It is difficult to determine which boundaries exist and their parameters, but will be quite obvious if you have crossed them.
Equality
- The ideal is that “all men are created equal.” [The term “men” should not be taken literally.] International students tend to be used to more obvious displays of respect (bowing, averting eyes, using honorific titles). Americans are aware of status differences, and simply display this in a different manner. An underlying assumption to this ideal is that no matter what a person’s status is in life, anyone has the potential to achieve great success. Everyone deserves respectful treatment.
Informality
- Notions of equality lead Americans to be informal in their general behavior and their relationships with other people. For example, introductions may be made using first names in a casual, friendly manner. A typical greeting such as “Hi, how are you doing?” does not necessarily mean that a person wants to initiate a conversation.
Goodness of Humanity
- Americans generally feel that people are inherently good and can always better themselves.
Time
- Time is seen as a “resource”, like water or coal that can be used poorly or wisely. Americans admire a well-organized person. The ideal person is punctual and considerate of other people’s time.