culture shock

Liu's feeling is quite understandable for me. When we encounter unfamiliar cultural practices, the feeling of disorientation, uncertainty, and even fear may be experienced. Though Liu tried his best to communicate with native speakers, it was hard for him to be intergrated to the American culture. The conversition between his professor and him might be considered joke as other American students; however, it was not easy for him to accept it. Lacking of confident to speak out in public as a foreigner, he desired encouragement for his "first try" instead of embarrassing reply. And his professor would never relize how difficult it is to try to speak in public among a group of native speakers when a foreigner feels bad about his language skill. Actually, it was the small thing that did not matter, but thoes small things happened everyday when he was in America. It is not hard to knwo why he was sufffering so much when he encountered the Amenrican culture.

As an international student in the U.S, I am definately suffering some of his "sad stories". I had the similar difficulties in daily conversition with the peer. When I chat with other girls and guys here, they always say some words that I will never find in the dictionary. When we talk about movie stars or famous singers, even though I know them, sometimes I may not reliaze who are they talking about, becuase I am unfamiliar with their English names.

I do enjoy spending time with my American friends here, we could also have much fun. Neverless, I still feel more comfortable to be with other people from my own country. I do not need to focus on the content of their talking, because it is so easy for me to understand; I do not need to pay attention to my and other's behaviors so much to avoid doing something unappropiate. Even though they are strangers for me as well, it is much more easier to make friends with them than Americans here. The fact is, costom that seem strange to me are considered normal and proper in American culture.

It has become increasely common for students to study abroad, but they may all have a difficult time adjusting.