Posted by annisleung on Apr 13, 2009 in
Culture,
Life,
Living Since day one I left my home country and came to US, I told myself that I had to learn and experience as much as I could about US culture in my college life. The first thing in my mind was to live with someone I didn’t know of, and knew American culture very much. Living with an American roommate in a dorm was the way to go. If you ask me again, it is still highly recommended.
I know that it sounds tough to some international students as culture shock will make them anxious and confused. When I was still in Ames, Iowa, I knew many of my Chinese friends who would rather live and hangout with other Chinese than American. Just because they couldn’t accept the American culture, food, etc. On the other hand, they were so proud that they had learned enough English in high school. There wasn’t a need for them to get to know more about American culture and the language.
In my opinion, it was such a stupid move as nobody would ever learn enough. If they were too proud of themselves, they would just be a frog in a well. I was glad that I didn’t know enough English in my Chinese high school to communicate with any English speakers back then. I still remembered that my Chinese friends teased my poor English because I flunked the English placement test and had to take ESL class in my first semester. Their innocent acts really motivated myself to study harder. When I lived with my American roommate, I gotta learn a lot of English and American culture from her and the girls on the same floor.
Throughout many years of living with different roommates, I was lucky that 90% of them were good, and they were Americans. If you really want to get over culture shock quicker, find an American roommate and learn from him/her.
Tags: culture shock, roommate
Posted by annisleung on Mar 23, 2009 in
Living When it comes to student housing, foreign students may find a hard time to determine what is suitable for them. There are several choices – hosting family, dormit0ry, on-/off-campus apartment, fraternity and sorority.
As a new student, I highly recommend that new foreign students live in on-campus housing. Dormitory and university apartment are the most popular choices because they are affordable, safe, walking distance to campus. Student can make new friends with other students, experience the American culture, adjust to college life, and learn native English through the native speakers.
Dormitory
It is also called residence hall which offers a wide range of floor plans, occupancy rooms, and prices. Rooms are usually furnished or unfurnished, and pre-installed with internet, phone line and basic cable TV services. Amenities may probably include kitchens, bathrooms, computer labs, study lounges, laundry centers, recreation areas, parking spaces, etc. Some dormitories require students to join the meal plans. However, I think this can ease your burden of cooking your own meal. Some halls may offer different types of community – coed, female-/male-only, freshman, graduate, international, or American – to fit your needs. Roommates are assigned.
Pros: hassle-free on utilities; 1 fee pays all; easy on freshman or new student; more chance to new friends.
Cons: sharing 1 bathroom facility, living area, kitchen area in the commons with few or more students; meal plans are mandatory in many schools; less privacy; laundry in the public laundry center.
Freshman Residence Hall at University Village at UT Dallas
On-Campus Apartment
Like dormitory, apartment also provides a wide range of floor plans, occupancy rooms, and prices. However, it is more like a housing unit with bedrooms, full bathroom and full-equipped kitchen. It may be furnished or unfurnished depending on the communities. Internet, phone and cable TV jacks may be installed, but probably not the services. Occupancy are usually from 1-bedroom to 4-bedroom. Residences may have their own bathrooms or share with one other. Amenities in the unit may include refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, washer/dryer, etc.
Pros: more privacy than dormitory; 1-2 persons share a bathroom; optional to choose roommates; cooking is welcome; meal plans is not necessary; do laundry in the unit.
Cons: Responsible for some or all utilities; no computer lab or study lounge provided; less chance to meet new friends than dorm.
Freshman Apartments at University Village at UT Dallas
Waterview Park Apartments
Tags: apartment, dormitory, student housing