I arrived in America in late August last year. I had made the decision to fly halfway around the world to continue my college education, in a land I knew would be almost entirely foreign. Almost ten months later, I can say that the adaptation process has been long, but the people I’ve gotten to know and the experiences I’ve had have made it all worth it. That does not take away from the fact that there has been a lot to get used to. And so, much like America is a multicultural hodgepodge that welcomes international students like me, I present eleven things that I have had to get used to – in no particular order of importance.
1. FOOD
I come from Malaysia, which prides itself on good food. I knew I would miss it; I simply hoped I could adapt quickly to American food.
I had had Western food on a semi-regular basis (spaghetti, fish and chips, pizza, etc.) but I wasn’t sure what else to expect. A senior coursemate, who had spent a year in the States already, had warned me to expect three flavors: sugar, salt… and bacon. She was fairly accurate. The only addition to that list I would make would be cheese – Americans seem to work cheese into every dish they possibly can! On the bright side, I encountered pierogies, tacos, and enchiladas for the first time in America and enjoyed them.
2. ACCENT
My friends back home had sent me off with a warning not to pick up an American accent. A couple of weeks ago, I chatted with them over Skype – and the first thing they noticed was the American accent. In my defense, watching "Barney & Friends" while growing up had already given me the “ability” to lapse into an American accent anytime I felt like it. I had chosen to speak in that accent when I arrived in America, simply to ease communication barriers and fit in. It still took a little time, though, to get used to everyone around me speaking in that accent.
3. WEATHER
One thing you need to know about Malaysia – it is HOT. And if it isn’t hot, it’s wet. Sometimes it’s both at the same time. Kinda like Florida, apparently.
We do not have winter, or snow, or any temperature zone that comes close. I had visited America in the winter before, so I had had a taste of winter, but that was when I was a wide-eyed child busy making snowmen and snow angels. Winter as an adult is different (read: more inconvenient.) I had to get used to pulling on boots daily, putting on a million layers in the hopes of retaining some body warmth, then struggling to stash coats and jackets and extra layers in my bookbag while indoors. A common statement I made when I was asked if I was used to this weather: “If it ever starts snowing in Malaysia, we would panic because that would mean the end of the world.”
4. TIME
Jetlag would be the first applicable point; I was effectively running on “standby” mode my first week while I tried to get used to things. Next was the time difference that my family and I had to overcome to Skype. When I’m usually awake, they’re fast asleep. There is a 12-hour difference, though, so calculations were easy enough – until Daylight Savings Time kicks in. Get your act together, America! Why do we have to go through the hassle of “springing” forward and “falling” back? It messed up my Skype time calculations for a bit.
5. MORE INTEREST IN HISTORY
“Oh, you’re a history major? I enjoy history/I have a friend who’s a history major/thought about being a history major.” This was a common refrain that I heard throughout my initial months, as people found out what I was studying. In Malaysia, nearly no one majors in history. Most people respond in surprise that you would major in a subject that appears to have no real job guarantee or financial security. The only other person in my friend group who majors in history happens to be my close friend who currently studies at the same college as me. It was a pleasant surprise to find more interest in history among the Americans I’ve met.
6. ROADS
My mom often told me I do not have a head for maps or directions. However, I could probably still find my way home from the appearance of the nearby landscape, the shape of the roads and familiar landmarks. But, I would probably not be able to do so here in America! The block layout makes roads look too similar for my brain to easily pick out and remember locations. To this day, I would not be able to give you directions to the Dollar General downtown, which is (barely) a ten minute walk away. It seems to make so much sense – but I still have yet to get used to it. Sigh…
7. HUMOR
Americans are sarcastic (at least plenty of the ones I’ve met!) The dry, tongue-in-cheek comments that my friends have made have left me rolling in the aisles, but would probably not be welcome back home in Malaysia. It would be seen more as disrespectful and rude than funny. I once commented to my fellow Malaysian friend, “I don’t know if it’s a good thing that I’ve adapted to the sarcastic sense of humor here. I’d probably get my behind roasted for such talk when I get home!”
8. AUTOMATED MACHINES
The night I landed in America, tired and slightly disoriented, my admissions counselor Jillian, took me to a McDonald’s to grab a bite to eat. After ordering, instead of handing over money or a credit card to the cashier, Jillian set to work on a little machine. Fascinated, I leaned closer. It was a credit card machine that you worked yourself. I was also very interested to discover machines that you placed your food order in at the nearby Sheetz gas station. My friend had to help me out the first time I used the self-checkout at Walmart. Malaysia has not yet gotten to the point where such technology is integrated into most of middle-class consumer society, which probably could be assumed from the lost look on my face at times.
9. SPORTS
Americans love their sports in a way I have not seen matched anywhere else that I have been in person. The enthusiasm at football and basketball games that I’ve attended has been quite the experience. The passion for local sports teams (go Steelers, Pirates and Penguins!) is also amazing to watch. The crowds that turned out at the Stanley Cup victory parade for the Pittsburgh Penguins were a testament to the incredible amount of passion Americans invest into the sporting teams.
10. ADVERTISEMENTS
Ads – everywhere. It seems almost inescapable now. However, the one “upside” is that American ads are usually entertaining (at least to me!) Malaysian ads on TV are just plain boring. Except during Chinese New Year... But mostly boring, otherwise.
11. TOILET DOORS
I walked into a bathroom stall in the Pittsburgh airport, closed the door and sat down to do my “business.” And there, before my eyes, were two gaps in the door – at the hinge and at the lock. America, you’re supposed to be one of the most developed nations in the world. How is it that Malaysia can eliminate that problem, and you can’t? When I use the bathroom, I want to “go to work” in privacy, not in concern that I would be able to see someone (or that someone would see me!) through the gaps in the door.
America has been fun and different. I hope you’ve found some entertainment in the different angle I view this land with. Despite the (occasionally hilarious) struggles I’ve had in trying to adapt, I wouldn’t trade a moment of it. I face the remainder of my American experience with great anticipation.
