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| Social Life in the USA |
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What is the best way to make your transition from home (no matter how far away home is) to Colgate smooth and easy? There are no recipes but it is important to look around. The chances are that among the various clubs and organizations on campus you will discover new interests and hobbies or develop old ones. By attending some of the numerous concerts, lectures, celebrations and sports events you will have the opportunity to meet different people and enlarge your circle of acquaintances.
Is it easy to make friends? Most often yes, because when they arrive to Colgate most incoming freshmen will know nobody from their class and will be as eager to make friends as you are. Nevertheless, you will sometimes find that you need to take the initiative to find friends. However, making friends is more or less the same all over the world. Keep in mind the fact that someone does not particularly like you has probably nothing to do with your nationality, skin color or language. While the environment might be new and adjusting to it might turn out to be difficult for you, don't forget that the other students in your class at Colgate experience similar adaptation problems.
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and your culture. No matter how good your speaking skills are, most people will detect a foreign accent and will be curious about your background. Don't be offended by other people's ignorance in respect to your country and language. College life is about learning from each other, and the more knowledge you give, the more you will receive. So, when you come across someone who has not even heard of the land you are coming from, don't just walk away slightly hurt, but try to remain friendly and positive. If you chat with the person for a while, you will surely discover that you have much more in common than you have suspected.
Don't invent ways of building barriers between you and the new environment but of climbing over them.
One notable Colgate tradition
One of the first things you will notice at Colgate is that almost everyone will say "Hi", "How are you", "How's it going?" and even "What's up?" to you when they pass by, even those who do not know you. In most cases the people who greet you do not necessarily expect you to say something or to start a conversation beyond saying "Hi", "Pretty good" or "Not much" (in response to "What's Up?"). The greeting is a part of the friendly and warm atmosphere of the college. It is likely that the first few times you will be taken aback at this tradition but pretty soon you too will be smiling at everyone you pass by, saying "Hi! How are you"?
Campus dress, invitations and other situations
Most Colgate students dress rather informally - jeans, T-shirts, shorts, sweaters, baseball hats, sweatshirts, or skirts and blouses for women. There is no university regulation controlling dress, so you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
- Evening dress for dinners, dates or theater may consist of a jacket and tie for men, and a dress for women. One could wear national dress for such occasions too. If you are not sure what to wear and the invitation does not give you an idea, just ask.
- While most people both at and outside Colgate appear friendly and informal in terms of everyday greetings, when they say "come and see me soon" and "drop by any time", they sometimes use these to finish the conversation politely rather than actually inviting you to visit them.
- If you receive a letter or invitation to an event at someone's home and it says RSVP, you should respond by either writing an e-mail or by calling the person. If unavoidable problems make you change your mind about attending, inform those who are expecting you as far in advance as possible.
- Cultural preferences or religious restrictions as applied to food are understood, so just explain this to your hosts if you are offered food which you do not want or are not supposed to eat.
- At Colgate students usually address:
- each other with their first names
- faculty members with Professor or, less frequently, with Dr.
- administration and staff members with Mr./Mrs./Ms/Miss or their first names.
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