Social Foundations

Many students think they have to become American to fit in. This is a mistake. The U.S. loves Authentic Diversity.

• Instead of trying to blend in, try to contribute. Share your food, your music, and your traditions. When you teach an American friend how to cook a dish from your home, you aren't losing your identity, you are becoming a Cultural Ambassador.
• Find a local community of people from your own country. This is your battery charger.Go there when you are tired of speaking English or feeling out of place. Use that comfort to refuel so you can go back out and integrate with the rest of the world the next day.
• Understand that American directness or small talk isn't personal. It’s just a different operating system. Learn it like you learn a computer language. You can use it at work/school, then go home and be your original self.
• Host a Potluck Dinner. Food is the fastest way to build a "tribe" in the U.S.

2) Professional Networking

Building a professional network in the U.S. is not about using people; it is about building a community of people who want to see you succeed. In the American workplace, your social capital (the trust you build with others) is just as important as your technical skills.

Think of networking as planting a garden. You don't plant a seed and expect fruit the same day. You have to water it and care for it first. Here is your guide to growing a network that will support you for years.