Just sharing my experience




I'm studying in U.S

People: Most Americans are friendly, but this depends on where you are. If you're in New York or Los Angeles where the demographics are more diverse, people are more friendly. Racism therefore will tend to be less. On the other hand, if you're in some small cities, where the populations of immigrants are low, you probably will experience more racism & stereotype. If you're in big city, don't worry about racism, people there are friendly as they are more exposed to the world & they meet more people. Your friends will be apart from you & you have to do anything on yourself & for yourself. Don't expect to be spoonfed when you're abroad. The fact is, nobody is gonna give a shit about you when you're overseas. Trust me, this happened to me. I gotta do everything myself, but on the bright side it made me a strong person & made me realize independent.

Friends: When you study abroad, it is another transition in your life. You have to realize that you WILL lose some of your best friends or buddies. No doubt about that. Don't expect you new friends to be the same as your old friends. I realize this, I still miss those times that I hung out with my college buddies in Inti. Those were the days. You will meet people from all corners of the world, but again don't expect them to treat you the same as your high school buddies treated you, it ain't gonna happen. Meeting new people is always fun. You get to exchange ideas & share your culture. I always like to share our M'sian culture with Americans & I would learn their culture. Most of my friends are M'sian & they are the one that I hang out the most. I've got people saying that when they're abroad, they don't mix with M'sian. That is just WRONG . You WILL tend to mix more with M'sian because we're of the same background & culture. Please don't try to be different by only hanging out with local (i.e British, Americans etc) just to be cool or you hang out with them because you're in their country. I don't believe in this bullshit. I think you should mix with whoever you feel comfortable with.

Culture: You will learn different cultures & practices. You will see guys kissing & holding hands, you will see girls kissing & touching backside, you will see people making out in the airport. These are just some of the culture shock that you will encounter when you're abroad. It will widen your perspective IMO. Let you see the world & not only hide under the shell (Katak dibawah tempurung). Once you see these kinda culture, you will slowly get used to it. Every country have different jargons for everything. For example, in M'sia we call it toilet, but in U.S we call it restroom, toilet refers to the toilet bowl. These are just some things you will learn as you progress. As much exposure as you get from abroad, I always tell my friends please DON'T forget your root & where you came from. Don't try to be different when you're back in M'sia by speaking British accent or American accent, this pissed me off. Just be yourself. Studied in overseas doesn't mean you're more superior than people who studied local.

Homesick: Maybe the first month you'll feel home sick & lonely. But as you progress & get to know people, time will fly. Before I know it, I'm already 3 years here in U.S & will be graduating in Dec. Its what you do to overcome homesickness. You will get over it over time & your parents will also leave you alone & don't call you every night. I'd say don't worry about this issue too much. I'm sure as you know more people, things like clubbin, traveling, partying, meeting chicks will keep you busy & forget about home. I don't mean totally forget but not think about home for while.




I do agree with this statement. Once you're expose abroad, your mentality & perception will change. The way you see thing will be from different angle instead of one.

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 14 2008, 01:45 PM

No doubt. Better quality comes with a price. More exposure

If you've been to overseas to study, the way you see things will be different. As in from different perspective. For some people, their personality will change, usually to the positive. I guess it depends on individual.

Yes financial support is the 1st priority. Also, prepare to fork out more that the projected amount. Just in case some extra expenses pop up.

Yeah I agree with the 1st part of your comment. U.S have more exposure & you'll see things from different aspect. Everything is so modern & fast paced here. You just gotta get yourself into the right group & mix around. If you have bad influence & don't know how to control yourself, you'll end up in a junk. Don't forget what is your purpose studying abroad; to earn a quality education & expose yourself to situation that money can't buy.

On the other hand, one must not forget their roots, where they came from. No offense, but I'm kinda against those who are "trying to be American". Speaking U.S accent in M'sia, having hand gestures like no other & all sorts of crazy stuff. Yes, you're exposed. But why can't you just be yourself & speak like a normal person. Having quality education abroad doesn't make you a higher social status person. I believe everyone is equal.

Yes when you speak with them, of course you'll have the accent. Can't help it, even I myself have it. But when you're around your root, you can still switch back to Man-glish. Trust me, you can.

Unless you go to primary school there, then I understand. Then its almost impossible to change.

Yeah thats right. Some just wanna show they have better English by maybe adding some accent. So fake. Why can't they just be themselves. I always tell my friends, if you guys come back from overseas & we meet up, whoever speak accent with me I'm gonna slap the heck out of you . You guys better have your "lah"s behind. I cannot those those wannabe's. So fake.




Unless you're in overseas since you're like a baby then its understandable. Not when you're there when you're 21yrs old. C'mon you still have your root. Dun be a faker. And people understand when you speak proper English without those "li" and "lah"s behind.

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Added on November 16, 2008, 5:16 pmWanna add a lil bit more before I go to bed, 3.15am here now.

The accent you gain is just for your experience in communicating with your professors & other friends. Not for one to come home with accent & start looking down at people.

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 16 2008, 05:16 PM

I would think Purdue

Mind me asking are you M'sian citizen or U.S perm. resident? Good exposure & experience you have there.




Depends on individual. Again, a lot of factors taken into account. Like who you mix with, how often you mix, what you do during your free time. But its cool . Just don't use some foreign accent in M'sia & try to be different.

That's cool. It happens. I get comments from other Americans telling me they don't believe I'm from M'sia. I'm not praising myself here. But I've been speaking English all my life, except with my parents. So I guess that's part of the reason I'm okay with English.

But for those who would like to improve their English, they must not fear to talk to others even with their broken English. After some time, your English will improve.

Haha. Me too, then I told them i'm not a citizen.



I'm living off campus. Rent an apartment. Living with another M'sian here. There are pros & cons living on & off campus. Kinda late now, lazy to type. I'll leave it to spunkberry to comment. Maybe I'll add to it.

Wow, sounds like some cat fight you & your ex-roommate have there. Well, arguments happen when you live with others. Everyone have different living habits & lifestyle.

Wow I bet the Palestine guy was having a time of his life. Mueahahahaha. Everynight different girl screaming . So "strong" ka?

Poor thing your Jap friend. He must have got some Jap chicks too right?

Interesting house mates you got there.

Wow speak 5 different language & a masters in embryology still cannot get a girl? Mana boleh? If I were him, I'd make the most out of what I have. Especially with 5 different language, sure can "lure" girls from 5 different countries . Best if he got British accent, girls love it . I think Brit accent is do darn cool.




I'm with you. I particularly hate those Jap chicks posing with their peace fingers & trying to act cute. You know what I'm saying. I think that is annoying when they trying to act cute with their giggles & peace sign

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Added on November 18, 2008, 5:57 amspunkberry,

Which state you're in again? Lost track.

I guess we're the only few active one in the wee hours. Hehe. azarimy from UK. Also midnight poster

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Added on November 18, 2008, 7:17 amOk someone PM'ed me about studying abroad. Thought I'd share with you guys



1) I'm studying in U of Nebraska Lincoln. For those who don't know where this is, I don't blame you. I get that alot

2) mostly I mix with whites & M'sians here. Hardly with blacks. Same goes for partying. Generally, I like to mix with everybody. Beside, when a few shots of tequila kicks in, you'll be the friendliest person on earth. Don't just stuck yourself mixing with only 1 group, try to mis around & get to know more people. One thing for sure is, there will be culture barrier when you try to mix with the locals here. Very different things they do here. For example, white boys like to drink beer, potato couch all day, play horse shoe, visit the ranch, farming and stuff. I personally find these kinda stuff boring & I don't think I'll ever gonna like it.

3) When you're abroad, its everything for yourself. Unless you got some contact before you leave, other than that, you're on your own. You stand up for yourself. If you don't ask nobody is gonna give a shit about you. Trying to make new friends are kinda tough. As in trying to make good friends like those you have in high school. Don't expect to find your lifetime buddies here. I have not find one until now. Just regular friends for me is enough. Everybody have different interest, its up to you guys how you find the perfect group to click in.

4) Yes I did 2+2. But for me its 2+3 because I did finance AND accounting. Double major take a bit longer.

5) I live off campus. On campus you get to know more chicks

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 18 2008, 07:17 AM

I think so. Kinda know him.

Yes I know her.




Oh icic. Height ar, I'm 6', ok? No wonder he "eating lemon" ler, hitting on white chicks. Hahaha. Chances of him hitting one is like hitting a lottery man . Tell him to lower his expectations. If he hit on Asian, sure kena a lot.

BTW, let's not talk about "screwing" here. Later people get offended . Can talk in PM. Hehe.

Bro, chill out man. Sounds like you're freaking out. Just let things be. It'll come naturally. And DON'T push your luck on that white chick part. Most of the "jual mahal" especially to Asian. I'm telling you before hand. Just focus on your goals & objective studying abroad. White chick or not, don't sweat it.

I don't particularly hit on white chicks. Just be friends. Just be yourself. No need to act cool to lure whites






Beware that the immigration officers at international airports may not be so friendly. You may be yelled at. But DON'T reply in a harsh way. They have the authority to NOT let you enter the country, deport you back home or interrogate you. So just be careful. Don't make a fuss in airports.

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 19 2008, 12:34 AM

Don't worry ma man. Everything will be cool if you take ma advice. Play it cool. Don't be desperado. You'll be rocking!!! If you can't get any white chicks, just think of my signature hahaha

Fake as in?

Indeed man. Country of freedom. Country of opportunity. Country of dreams.

You still in US?

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Added on November 19, 2008, 12:41 pmPARIS HILTON FOR AMERICA!!!
YAY!!!

This post has been edited by P.I.M.P: Nov 19 2008, 12:41 PM