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Tips
for New Desi Grad Students !!!
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Official
US Government Information
GaramChai.com
Education Forums of Interest:
- FAQ
on American Education: With
inputs from USEFI (United States Educational Foundation
in India ) also called the Fulbright Commission
- Education
Abroad: section of GaramChai.com presents a glimpse
into the options available to global students who wish
to avail of world-class education without travelling half-way
across the globe.
- Indian
Students may also want to check out the Indian
Student Association section of GaramChai.com
Other
Forums of Interest:
- Many
of you will soon go to the US for further studies. This
is a hectic time for you and this is how we hope to make
it easier. ...You are headed in a few days to the US for
higher studies. And you have many questions to ask. Read
further
- Indians
welcoming Indians: Have you been accepted in a college
in the US for higher studies and are about to leave? Most
important: Have you made contact with someone in your
university or in the town you are headed to for advice
and tips? Read
further
- How
can I network before I leave? This is the first part of
our series of FAQs on studying in America. We asked a
selection of students, already in the US, to share the
wisdom of their experiences with us. This is what some
of them wrote back to say. Keep in touch with some of
your prospective seniors at your future university. Let
them know about your flight plans and get informed about
the place and the university. Look out for Indian student
associations at these universities. Almost every university
has one ! This is the best way to get acquainted and build
up connections. Try and call them up but value their time
and privacy. Try and talk to your department representatives
and inform them about your flight plans before you leave.
For starters this could be a good way to start building
connections. Read
Further
- A
Student's Guide to the US: Once you have got the I-20
and the Visa in hand, you should try to get a hold of
a list of Indian students who have been admitted to the
same university as you either through an Indian student
association within that university or through the international
office. Make a list of all the students who will be moving
to the university from your city, contact these students
and try to make your travel arrangements together because
often you can avail of group discounts from travel agents
when you get down to booking tickets – provided the group
is large enough. Also you can fix up roommates at this
stage so you will not run the risk of getting stuck with
the wrong person! Read
Further for tips on Necessary documents, Things to
be done in advance, Planning your journey, Baggage information,
Packing
General Tips:
Ok, so
you have finally made it to the land of your dreams!! But
you dont wanna make a bad impression do you? So here are a
few tips to help you begin your life in America on the right
note.
1) Guess
what's the first thing Americans notice about us desis? Surprise!!....THE
SMELL!
FACT: Most desis smell horrible to Americans.We smell of fried
food and curry coz most of us cook at home and do not care
to shower and change before we go out. Keep your clothes away
from the kitchen, in a closet. Use a deodorant. Change before
you go out. And for heavens sake dress decently when you go
out. I've seen desis go shopping in malls in the raggediest
of outfits.
2) Ok,
so now you smell good...you think you're COOL.... Next thing
to remember, Americans are very friendly people. So you will
see total strangers greeting you or smiling at you. Return
the smile or greeting. Question: How're you doin? Answer:
How're you doin or Doing Good. how about yourself. When americans
ask you how you are doing,they do not expect a lengthy answer.
Its just a polite greeting. If you want to be cool, you'd
say "Whats up"...and expect a "Not much".
3) Try
to speak clearly. Many Americans can't understand what you
are saying because of your bad pronunciations or because you
speak too fast. Try to smoothen out those rrrr's. Also try
not to use your native tongue when there are people of other
nationalities around. And stop nodding your head like a bobblehead
when you agree with something! It realllly looks funny to
non-Indians!!
4) Hold
doors open for people. Its common courtesy here to hold the
door open for people who are following you through a doorway.
5) Don't
be cheap. Always tip cab drivers, waiters, hair dressers etc.
Don't do things like stealing carts from the local store to
bring home your grocery.
All stores have a return policy . Don't misuse it! For example,
don't buy a camera coz your friends are coming, and return
it to the store after they leave as you don't need it anymore!
6) Most
desis are secure in their own community. They don't make efforts
to meet people from other communities. Don't be shy...go out,
meet people. Some of my best friends are Americans and other
international students.
7) Never
ask another person how much money he makes or other such personal
questions. Americans value their privacy a lot. Don't be too
inquisitive. Also, keep a good distance when you speak to
people. Its called "personal space". At least an
arms length.
8) Use
"thank you" and "please" a lot. For example
if a host asks you if you would like more coffee, don't say
Yeah!. Say "Yes please" or "please". "Yeah"
will do if you are with close friends !
9)Don't
dig your nose in pubic! Its disgusting! Also, you may be caught
on camera as many places in the US have security cameras!
Always wash your hand before leaving a restroom. Do not litter.
As you may have noticed, there are plenty of dust-bins all
over America. So don't throw stuff on the ground.
10) Professors
prefer to be called "Professor His Name" or "Doctor
His Name" rather than just Sir.
11) DO
NOT use any illegal means in exams. Do not copy each other's
assignments!
If caught, you will not only bring a bad name to the Indian
community, you will also be in deep shit! Americans
value honesty. Do not try to cheat the system. YOU WILL GET
CAUGHT.
12) Finally,
try to blend into the American way of life. The best part
is you don't have to give up being an Indian to live here.
The greatest thing about America is its tolerance. Most people
who come here will never go back because of the high quality
of life and the freedom to be who you are.
So stop complaing, stop judging Americans by your values and
morals. If you want to stick to your traditions and values,
nobody is stopping you.
All of
us need to work toward fighting the 'desi stereotype'. We
Indians already have a good impression in America as far as
academics is concerned. We need to extend that to all walks
of life.
Above
all, have fun! America is THE PLACE to realize all your dreams.
Work hard, live life to the fullest and believe me, you will
never go back!
Links
of Interest.
On
GaramChai.com you will find extensive listings of Indian Student
Associations:
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