Take a listen as VOA’s Student Union talks about every aspect of the international student experience, from how to get rid of an accent to fears of the impending cold weather.

This is an inspiring video from Michigan State University‘s international students. They share how they are adapting to the American culture, making friends in the U.S. and their best tips for succeeding at an American university.

Starting at a new high school can be tough for any kid, but for new immigrants and refugees it can be even harder.

Brooklyn’s International High School is a public school for recent immigrants. Some of its students have trekked across deserts or fled war and persecution to get to the U.S., and many start their first day of school speaking little or no English.

Journalist Brooke Hauser spent months following the students at International High. She’s recorded their stories in a new book, The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens.

NPR’s Neal Conan speaks with Hauser and Dariana Castro, coordinator of special programs at the school. Read more

The new book, “Millennial Momentum: How a New Generation Is Remaking America,” explores how young people coming of age are reshaping American life and culture. Judy Woodruff speaks with authors Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais. Read more

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

By Diana Quinonez-Soto

To provide you with a better understanding of what it is like studying, living and working in the United States, we like to feature international students and foreign young professionals who have done it.

Today, we are happy to share with you the story of Jui-Ling Chiang. She was a Mandarin instructor at South Carolina State University from 2010 to 2011. She will study at Northern Illinois University for the Ed.D program (Doctorate of Education, in Educational Psychology) beginning Fall 2011.

Full name
Jui-Ling Chiang. But, my friends call me “Raye”, as Jui is pronounced similarly to “Ray”.

Provide a brief bio about yourself – where did you grow up, etc…
I grew up in Yi-Lan, Taiwan. Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese are my native language. I studied at St. Cloud State University for my Master’s Degree. I participated in the Ohio State University for Chinese Teacher training program. Finally, I have both studied and taught at South Carolina State University in 2010-2011.

Your home country/ country of citizenship?
Taiwan

Where are you studying or working in the USA?
I taught Mandarin Chinese at South Carolina State University in 2010-2011. I will study at Northern Illinois University for the Ed.D program beginning Fall 2011.

Why did you decide to study or work in the U.S.A.?
I first learn English when I was in fourth grade. I was amazed by people who spoke different language from me, but yet went to school as me. I wondered how they thought, if they enjoyed school, etc. I made up my mind, then, of wanting to study in the U.S.A. and make friends from all over the world when I would reach my maturity age.

What school / university are you studying in or what company are you working for?
I studied at St. Cloud State University for a Master’s Degree and underwent the Ohio State University for Chinese Teacher training program. I also studied and taught at South Carolina State University in 2010-2011. I will be attending Northern Illinois University for the Ed.D program starting this upcoming fall.

How did you choose your university or employer?
I had to have financial support in order to pursue a degree in the U.S. Therefore, I choose a school that is able to fit my need.

How long have you been living in the USA?
Almost 5 years.

What course/degree are you taking? What is your mission (if you are working)?
I received the Information Media Master’s degree and will be working on obtaining the Ed.D degree in Instructional Technology Ed.D. But when I was in OSU, I took several Chinese teaching pedagogy classes. When I was in South Carolina State University, I took Museum Class, Black Issue in Education and Figure and worked in a Museum internship.

What do you like best about your American experience?
Friendship. The experience I received in America did not involve just studying but also in obtaining and building up strong friendships with people as well. I learned Mid-Eastern culture, African culture, Spanish culture, African-American culture, Gullah Culture and Asian culture here in the U.S.

The experiences opened my eyes to seeing things from several different angles as they can be interpreted in so many different ways depending on different ethnic backgrounds one may interpret from. I also learned to never use my own standard to look at things and to never assume people know as my “common sense” may be different from others.
11. What was it like during the first week you arrived in the USA?
Culture shock. I was waiting for “sunset” to have dinner when I first arrived to Minnesota. I felt like I was starving, but wondered why it was still bright outside. I will never forget that. I also remember searching the entire school building to find a “hot water fountain” but never finding one. It surprised me when I found out that many Americans use the microwave to heat up hot water.

Have you encountered any problems while moving and living in the USA?
Yes, transportation and weather. I did not have a car for a couple years. I had to rely on public transportation or friends to go around school or town. It is difficult especially in the winter time.

What has been your best moment while living, studying and/or working in the USA?
I have so many wonderful memories in the USA, such as mission trips to Cebeque, AZ with InterVarsity Christian Fellow St. Cloud State Chapter, studying in the lab, learning to make different country cousins, gaining friendship with others, struggling and being frustrated with research paper but was comforted by friends, and so on. I can publish a book to share these wonderful experiences!

But, last year, I teaching and studying at South Carolina State University was one of my best years studying in the US. I learned the other side of American History that is from the African American perspective. I felt I walked into a hidden history with the story still continuing going on. I felt the overflow of passion for freedom when I visited the Gantt Cottage where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “I Have a Dream”. I also visited Penn Center, a foundation for African American education. Those are significant, but not as revealed to the world. I am blessed to study at SCSU as I have never felt myself is so close to “history”.

How has your English improved?
Practice, practice, and practice. Similar as I learn Mandarin Chinese.

What I did:
• Checked the dictionary for new vocabulary
• Asked friends/teachers if I didn’t understand the word they would
• Had friends to proofread papers with me. It helped a lot to pick up the American way of speaking and writing.

How have you handled language and cultural differences?
Crying and screaming! No, I didn’t. If I didn’t understand, I asked. Even though I have lived in the States almost for 5 years, I still ask. I don’t feel bad if the question is first grade. I have even asked my ex-roommate to correct my English if I made mistakes, which she did.

How well did you feel adapted to the U.S college life and culture?
Living with American students was a big challenge, but also a great opportunity to learn their ways of living. I lived with Americans since my second semester to my graduation from St. Cloud State University. I build up close relationships with all my roommates, whom I still keep contact with.

From my understanding, most American students have their own social groups since elementary school. They may go to college with their best friends, but a lot of them are open to building up another friendship in the college. Keep in mind that America is big so students from South to North feel the distance and also encounter culture shock as well. So, I do not think my culture shock is that bad at all. I would think a lot American students are just like us, but speak better English.

Which aspects of the American culture have you already assimilated? Which parts remain obscure?
Building up my circle of friends, participate in community service, speak out my mind, agree to disagree… etc.

Are you facing some type(s) of challenges or difficulties while living in the USA?
Challenge is everywhere. Discrimination still exists. However, not everyone has stereotypes. It always takes times to learn a new environment and culture.

What do you like to do outside the school or your job?
Hang out with friends, hiking, reading, watch movies, and road trip with friends!

How easy or difficult is it to make friends?
If you are an open mind person, it is not too difficult to make new friends.

What was your biggest obstacle to live, study and/or work in the USA?
Paperwork. Too much paperwork drives me crazy and is confusing. At Universities, if the Administration Department lacks of communication with other offices, it often causes a lot frustrations.

Would you recommend studying or working in the USA? Why or why not?
I would recommend international student study in the U.S.

How is your U.S. education or working experience relevant to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?
After I receive my Master’s degree emphasis on Adult Learning Theory and Instructional Design, I applied the knowledge and skills into the work field. I soon found out that I could also apply the knowledge across many fields, such as Marketing, Planning, Language Training, etc. In sum, the knowledge strengthens me with flexibility and comprehension ability.

What advice would you give to fellow international students who are yet to study or work in the USA?
Embrace and always appreciate what you have. Never ever compare your situation with others, especially in comparing the U.S. culture and people from your own country. Comparison makes so many international students so unhappy when they study in America.

What are you most excited about right now? What is the next big thing you are looking forward to?
I am excited and scared at the same time in undergoing my first year as a Ph.D student at Northern Illinois University in this upcoming Fall 2011 term. I never thought that I would into scholar field, but now I have the opportunity. I will go with all my strength to learn. It will be great to be called “Dr. Chiang”!

How to connect with you?
Linkedin : here

Read more about Raye here

Join our community of Cultural Ambassadors on Facebook here

Would like to be featured on our blog? please contact us here.

By Diana Quinonez-Soto

To provide you with a better understanding of what it is like being an international student in the United States, we like to feature students who have done it.

Today, we are sharing with you the story of Lloyd Munjanja, a student from Zimbabwe, who is now pursuing a PhD in Medicinal/Environmental Chemistry at the University of Rochester (N.Y.).

Full Name: Lloyd Munjanja

Provide a brief bio about yourself (where you grew up, etc.).

Grew up in Gweru and Gokwe.

Your home country?

Zimbabwe.

Where are you studying or working in the USA?
University of Rochester

Why did you decide to study or work in the USA?

• Educational opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Financial Assistance

How did you choose the university you are attending or employer if you are working?

• NY has a great setting. It has bigger cities and bigger dreams.
• Diverse and has more international people/global networking opportunities.
• Amazing opportunities for the beginnings of my career in Chemistry/Science.

What courses/degree are you currently taking and striving towards? What is your mission (if you are working)?

PhD in Medicinal/Environmental Chemistry
What do you like best about your American experience?

• Experience has given me the following:
  • Ability to define my future
  • Freedom to follow my passions
  • Opportunities to be a better person
  • Interactions with people from different backgrounds/ cultures

What was it like during the first week you arrived in the USA?

• Cars driving on the “right” side was interesting.
• It was mostly different than what I was used to overall, but I had imagined prior that it was going to be; so, when I found things that were similar, I wasn’t too surprised.
• The amount of food one could eat was “wow”

Have you encountered any problems while moving and living in the USA?

Cultural differences. For instance, a certain aspect of my culture would be interpreted differently in the US. However, knowing and understanding the differences made encountering cultural differences worthwhile.

What has been your best moment while living, studying or working in the USA?

It’s not easy to find a specific moment that I would say has been better than the other as every moment has been the best moment.

Every day, I had something new to look forward to. The challenges that I would encounter taught me to how to adapt and become a better problem solver. It also gave me independence and more confidence that I can do anything I set my mind on.

The successes pushed me to do even better.

How have you handled language and cultural differences?

• Being involved in many of the cultural aspects that the American society can offer has given me the following:
  • Opportunity to ask as many questions as possible to understand the differences.
  • Chance to see Americans’ perspective on things and understanding why they see things that way while developing respect for another’s perspective on things.
  • Having a diverse network of friends.
  • Sharing my culture with others and understanding other cultures.
  • Understanding that my culture is as good as another (or any) culture.

What do you like to do outside the school or your job?

I enjoy doing a diverse collection of hobbies like painting and doing outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and etcetera. I also like to do service work (volunteering), networking, travelling and various sports.

How easy or difficult is it to make friends?

It depends with people; but, for me, it’s not hard.

I love to know people’s stories, their perspectives on things and learning from them. So making friends becomes easy.

What was your biggest obstacle whilst living, studying or working in the USA?]

Being an international student at first seemed to me as if there were certain rules and regulations on anything and everything one does.

But, I have learned to work out challenges I may encounter and obtain opportunities by networking with the right people and knowing what I want.

Would you recommend studying or working in the USA? Why or why not?

I would recommend anyone right now to study in the USA, or anywhere were the culture is different from what they grew up with, like Afghanistan, Australia, China, Singapore and so on.

The reason why I recommend this is because the more one is exposed to different cultures, the more one is likely to develop a better knowledge of themselves and understanding of their own culture and of other’s.

An appreciation of our differences, a global way of thinking, a greater open-mindedness and a more liberal personality also comes about when one is exposed to different people, situations and so on.

What are you future goals?

My future goals are to get a career that gets me to travel around the world, explore as many cultures as I can and to do several service work/projects as much possible.

I also want to become a full-time philanthropist in addition to pursuing my chosen Chemistry/ Medical Science career.

I, in addition, intend to do development in terms of health infrastructure in Africa.

How is your U.S. education or working experience relevant to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?

I hope all the experiences and knowledge I have accumulated here, in America, could be translated into my Zimbabwe culture. Through most of the things I have been learning, I have always asked myself the following: “How can I apply it to the benefit of people in my home country?”

What advice would you give to fellow international students who are yet to study or work in the USA?

The only limitations are the limitations we set in our minds. Explore, discover, appreciate, dream, achieve and inspire.

Studying in America is one opportunity we have to make our countries better. It is also an opportunity that gives us a chance to better the relationships between all countries of the world.

Connect with Llyod Munjanja here

Join our community of Cultural Ambassadors on Facebook here

Would like to be featured on our blog? please contact us here.

On Thursday evening, January 11, 1973 at 9:00 p.m., Americans stepped into the home of the Loud family of Santa Barbara, California. Chronicling the lives of its family members, the 12-hour documentary series made parents Pat and Bill Loud and their five children Lance, Delilah, Grant, Kevin and Michele Loud household names. During the seven months that they lived in front of the camera, viewers watched dramatic life events unfold, including Pat asking for a separation from her husband Bill, and the bohemian New York lifestyle of their gay son, Lance.

In 1973, the Loud family made quite an impact on not only the television world, but also American culture as we know it with An American Family. Considered by many to be the first reality TV show, the PBS series (by Alan and Susan Raymond of Gulph Mills) chronicled the days in the life of Pat and Bill Loud and their five children in Santa Barbara, Calif., for seven months.

Now, 40 years since filming, the original filmmakers have edited a new 2-hour feature-length special capturing the most memorable and compelling moments of the landmark series. See for yourself why An American Family is one of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time (TV Guide, 2002). Read more

Watch the full episode. See more An American Family.

This coming Monday marks a nostalgic anniversary in American culture. On June 6, 1933, the world’s first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey.

By 1950, there were 4,000 of these “movies under the stars” across the country. Almost 80 years later, only a couple hundred survive. Read more here

Writer Richard Ford talks about writing about work for his new fiction anthology, “Blue Collar, White Collar, No Collar: Stories About Work,” and about the role of work in American culture.

Source : VOA News

The United States is often called the “great American melting pot.” That is because of the many nationalities, ethnic groups and cultures that make up America. It is the most culturally diverse country in the world. One company is celebrating that diversity through a line of cloth dolls called the Brownstone Buddies. The dolls are designed to help teach young children about other cultures. Read more here

Listen to the story here