It’s getting to that point in term (or maybe I should call it a semester if I’m going to really try and blend in), where I’m a lot more settled, a lot more homesick, and have a lot more thoughts about my impression of the U.S.A since I first arrived. I don’t know if the things I noticed first don’t still hold true, but there’s definitely been plenty of new culture quirks or differences I’ve picked up on after being here for over two months now.
1. The changing weather gives me whiplash.
I thought we got a bad lot in life with the weather back in England- the amount of times I;ve been asked ‘Wait doesn’t it rain there everyday’ (which just for reference…no, we get a sunny day once a year or so.) But America’s weather, or at least here on Long Island, is a whole new thing to grapple with. I wouldn’t say it’s bad, it’s just completely topsy turvy, one day you’re wearing as little clothing as possible and still sweating, and the next you’re hanging on to your umbrella for dear life, shivering. I remember one time a few weeks ago where there was a 20 degrees temperature drop in the space of one day, and honestly this weather needs to make up it’s mind, it’s giving me whiplash.
There also seems to be a really different definition of ‘cold’ here. I’d heard New York get’s freezing, way worse than at home, so I was expecting everyone here to be really nonchalant about the chilliness, but nope. I keep seeing people walking round campus hidden under layers of coats and jumpers whilst I’m still wearing my summer wardrobe. And then on the days I’m feeling the cold, I see guys walking round in a jumper-shorts combination like it’s the middle of July.
It’s fair to say I haven’t finessed the weather situation yet.
2. Homecoming is a bigger deal than people make it out to be.
A couple weeks ago Homecoming rolled around, and I had no idea of what to make of it. Everyone I spoke to seemed to have a very casual view of it, they would nod and seemed to know it was happening but that’d be the extent of it. So when my friend and I went along to the Wolfie Showcase we didn’t really think much of it. Back at our university, uni-organsied events tend to be no shows from the students, because everyone’s off doing their own stuff. School spirit isn’t really a thing.
But here in America? You had hundreds of students, even seniors, sitting out in the freezing evening for hours watching the performances and supporting the dance groups. There was singing and cheering and the band playing the Stony Brook Anthem that I think I know so well by now I’ll probably go home and start reciting in my sleep. It was both heart-warming and really strange seeing how much people here loved getting involved with societies and college spirit. It was definitely one of those ‘this is definitely a different country I’m in,’ kind of evenings.
3. The food portions are bigger here but that won’t stop me eating absolutely everything.
My friend said to me the other day: ‘I don’t know if they put crack in their candy or something, but I swear I cannot stop eating it.’ And I couldn’t agree more. Not only that, the sizings here are a whole new level, and I’m not just talking ordering off the menu; even something like a bag of crisps (chips) says it’s for two servings. But really when does anyone open up a packet of crisps and only eat half the packet? Absolutely not. So I end up eating two servings in one go, and suddenly the whole Freshers Fifteen weight gain starts making a lot more sense.
Side note: It’s taken a couple months but I’ve officially been converted to coffee. I’m not sure whether this is a good thing or not.
4. Frat parties are… an experience(maybe not one you want to relive)
Being from a place where a large part of university culture is getting leaflets for free Jager shots on a night out and having nightclub promoters ushering you in as you go past, the whole frat party culture is completely alien to me. I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I first got into a strangers car to be driven to a random house in the middle of nowhere. Let’s just say I was apprehensive.
I can describe my frat parties experience so far in three words; hot- sweaty -humid. Seriously, when I was told I’d be dripping buckets because of the temperature I didn’t believe it… until I was crouching by a fan begging cold air to come out of it.
Apart from that, I would say the experience of going to these parties has definitely been interesting, but I can’t say I won’t be a little relieved when I can go sit in a bar back home and not worry about having to wait 45 minutes in a line to use the bathroom!
5. Everyone wants to hear your attempt at an American accent even though you’ve made it clear you absolutely can’t do one.
The first few weeks I was here, I didn’t feel like I stood out too much as a Brit, but the longer I’ve been here the more interested people I’ve met have been in the differences between my home and theirs, and most importantly: Can I do an American accent?
The simple answer: No. I mean I could probably do the stereotypical valley girl accent you hear on TV for you, the same way people can do the over-the-top Queen’s English accent. But if you’re gonna list things for me to say in your accent, I should warn you now, I’m not going to be very successful.
I’ve also had a lot of people ask, so I feel like I should clear it up: We don’t say the word bloody in every sentence, sorry to disappoint, but you’ve definitely been reading too much Harry Potter.