Even though I’m not technically an international student, I still very much identify with the struggles of most international students, as I’ve never lived in the United States before attending the University of Illinois.

SEE ALSO: What It's Like Being An Out-Of-State Student Who Grew Up Overseas

On a day to day basis, I can recount many conversations where I either can’t identify with what someone is expressing or I can’t quite understand a phrase that is being said. This is by no means the fault of the person speaking, but instead, can be attributed to the wiring of my brain and the lack of American cultural experiences that have yet to render me the ability to respond like a normal citizen of this country. While I do admit these past few months have been filled with moments of confusion, they have also been truly enlightening and have given me the ability to perceive these following phrases as slightly less odd.

1. “It’s 90 Degrees Fahrenheit Outside”

Oh, it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit? Fahrenheit? More like Fahrenhowdoyouexpectmetounderstandthis. Seriously America, conform to the rest of the world’s standards, I beg you.

2. "I’m from *specific suburb in the state where the college is located*"

I’ve made it my mission to memorize the map of Illinois so that the next time someone tells me they’re from Naperville, I can confidently I say that I know where that is, or that I’ve at least heard of the place.

3. “Who do you support for governor/state legislator/ any state political official?”

Okay, look, while I’d love to be fully informed on all of the specifics regarding Illinois government, in particular, I’m much too concerned about the U.S. political climate as a whole, so, in all honesty, I have no idea. However, since the beginning of the semester, I’ve become much more aware of the political situation in Illinois, and look forward to the governor elections in 2018.

4. “I’m going home for the weekend”

This phrase always gets me because it’s crazy to think that some people can go home for the weekend, whereas I have to wait until winter break to see my parents and brother after four months of being in totally different countries.

5. “I’m going to drink water from the tap”

I swear this is the coolest thing ever. In all of the countries I’ve lived in before coming to the States, I was never able to drink from the taps, since the water was contaminated with pollutants and dirt, forcing me to drink from the horrible product known as “bottled water”. Just the thought of it makes me shudder. Okay, in reality, bottled water was fine, but I just have a huge appreciation for free tap water.

6. “Oh, it closes at 6 PM”

This is one of my biggest pet peeves in America, everything closes so damn early. Everywhere I lived, everything stayed open until 12-3 AM. Yes, this is also ridiculous, but, there would always be people coming in and out of restaurants and stores at these wonderful times during the night.

SEE ALSO: “Where Are You From?”: A Third Culture Kid’s Worst Nightmare

7. “I’ve never heard of WhatsApp, I use GroupMe”

This is the worst sentence I have ever heard uttered- WhatsApp is an end all be all in online communication, and nothing can beat it, especially not GroupMe.

8. “I don’t have a passport”

I legitimately thought that everyone was born with a passport, only to be made aware of the fact that about 33% of Americans have passports. The concept of simply showing a driver’s license at an airport to get through security is so bizarre for me, as I’ve grown up my entire life with my passport basically glued to my hand.

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