Since I came to the U.S. I noticed several cross-cultural differences between the U.S. and my home country, Kazakhstan.
1) Most people here tend to smile when I look at them. At first, it seemed strange, then started to like it.
2) Students in American universities study hard, not like in my country. Here I see crowd of student in libraries, even at the weekends. In Kazakhstan, students “enjoy their lives”. They start to study just at the end of semester, when finals are approaching.
3)People in Kazakhstan usually eat hot meals. Here, as I noticed, people prefer fast food. In restaurants they order pizzas and hamburgers. Also, Kazakhs almost always have meat in their meals.
4)The next difference I noticed is about grass. In Kazakhstan usually there is prohibited to step on grass in public spaces. You may be fined or caught by police. Here I see students lying, sitting and playing on grass.
5) I was surprised when I first saw group of four-five people running in the street. In my country you won’t encounter this.
6) Bikes, skateboards… Here you may hit by biker in a campus. In Kazakhstan very few people ride bikes in the street, so they look unusual.
There are so many differences when you compare any two countries, but I also have noticed a lot even though I grew up on a military base. It is very true that many people do smile when you look at them. It might just be the college atmosphere. Many students do study a lot but many students also cram for exams and finals on the last day. I don't like fast food at all and I don't understand how some people can continuously eat it. It is good once in a while but not everyday. I bet all these things are very different for you but I'm pretty sure you will get used to it! (engr103)
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