University of Michigan - Flint

Explore - Get familiar with your environment.

• Explore the campus and Ann Arbor on foot or by bus. 
• Talk to the office staff, faculty and students in your department.
• Ask a student or staff member if they would show you around the department.
• Attend local events and seminars

Learn about cultural norms - Pay attention to other people's behavior:

• How do they greet each other?
• How do they line up for a bus? How do people seat themselves on a bus?
• How do people interact in professional settings, like offices? in the classroom? in a store? on the street?

Be slow to judge:

• Ask someone who knows the culture about your observations. Be sure to ask "why" people do what they do.
• Compare how things are both similar and different in your country. These comparisons may offer you a new, insightful perspective on your own culture.

* One of your best resources for information is the U-M International Center. They will be glad to answer ANY questions that you may have.

Expect to go through an adjustment process:
Phases of Adjustment describes some typical reactions. Link to “Phases of adjustment”

                                                                                                                                        
Go to events where you can meet new people:

• International Center
• Speakers, workshops, and "brown bag" seminars. Look at the University Events Calendar.
• Intramural sports
• Student groups  

Be open to starting conversations:

• With students and scholars
• With students and people in the community from your own country who have been in the U.S. for awhile.
• With U-M staff and faculty
• With other people you meet out in the community (in restaurants and stores, at the library, on public transportation, etc.)

Read:

• Local newspapers (The Michigan Times, The Flint Journal, The Detroit News and Free Press, USA Today)
• Magazines
• Books about American culture and etiquette