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| Photo: http://www.rd.com |
Millions of people leave their countries every
year to come to the United States following the American dream, but not all of
them could reach it. The first reason, it is because they do not to set a
consistent goal with a strategic plan to follow with specific time and things
to do.
The second reason may be because many
immigrants can not overcome the stress of the first times and adapt to the new
set of situations leading to a new weather, new language or dialect, and cultural
differences. The shock results more
difficult for immigrant people, who have a professional career in their country,
and they cannot work in that in the United States at least not at the first
moment.
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Even though it is hard to make generalizations
about the United States because it is a land of diversity, as The Office of
Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at Nova Southeastern University,
says. There are many characteristics to pay attention when immigrant people want to insert in the American society successfully.
One of the first thing to keep in mind is “the
United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries n the world”
because “the flow of immigration from
different parts of the world for over 150 years.” Says the International
Student Affairs Office Of Nova University.
According 2000 statistic of U.S. Census “11% of the population in U.S.
is foreign.” So, all who want to be successful in here have to keep open mind.
When people coming into a foreign
country there are many different stages that the International Student Office Leadership and Civic Engagement at Nova Southeastern University presents as number one: “at first you are excited by the new
environment and a few frustrations do not spoil your enthusiasm. When
experiencing some difficulties with simple things like, for instance, making
telephone calls, or using public transport, you tend to down-play negative
emotions.
The second one, a
period in which cultural differences in behavior and values become more
obvious. What previously seemed exciting, new and challenging is now merely
frustrating. You may feel isolated and become withdrawn from life around you.
You seek security in the familiar. Food from home, possibly even what you never
particularly enjoyed, becomes a focus, maybe an obsession.
 The third one, in the next stage you
may reject what is around you, perhaps becoming opinionated and negative. You
may feel that everyone is against you and that nobody understands you.
Limpet-like you cling to other students from your home country, hoping to have
your negative stereotypes of the Americans and life in the U.S. reinforced.
However, you are beginning to re-assert yourself.
The forth one, based
on your successes in negotiating a variety of social situations and, maybe,
increased language skills, your self-esteem grows. You can accept the negative
differences and tolerate them. Knowing that you cannot change your surroundings
you now enjoy certain aspects of British culture and feel relieved and
strengthened from having overcome the difficulties. You may even feel a sense
of belonging.”
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A Few Tips
In order to be more confident the
International Student Office includes some typical characteristics of the
Americans which The Journal of an Immigrant reproduce in here as a simple
guideline to keep in mind during the process of encounter and be less afraid: “Americans tend to value their individuality,
to think themselves the equal of any other man or woman, and to believe they
are masters of their own destiny. They are direct in their communications; they
ask questions when they need information; they say “no” when they mean no.
Americans appear open and friendly at first meeting, but this means only that
they are pleased to make your acquaintance; it may or may not lead to true
friendship.
They are informal; they often introduce
themselves by their first names and call others by their first names on very
slight acquaintance. Americans tend to stand at least an arm’s length apart
when conversing and are not inclined to touch one another, except to shake
hands upon greeting one another. They value privacy and rarely visit, even good
friends, without telephoning first.
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On appointments and punctuality – it is
always appropriate to make an appointment before visiting someone, particularly
at an office. It is best to be on time for appointments.
On invitations – if you accept an
invitation or make an appointment, it is very important that you appear as
promised since your hosts will have taken considerable trouble to prepare for
your visit, and professional people will have arranged their schedules to
accommodate you. It is perfectly acceptable to decline an invitation if it is
not convenient for you, but some response is always called for.
On dietary restrictions – if health or
religious beliefs restrict the foods that you can eat, you should feel free to
explain this when you accept an invitation to visit.”
