When you come to the U.S. for residency, what should you know?
If you’re ready to do your medical residency in America, you’ve probably done all the nitty gritty preparations of getting your paperwork and credentialing straightened out. If you need a quick refresher, take a look at this handy checklist.
But once you’ve got the forms figured out and your plane ticket booked, how can you make America feel like home?
Besides understanding the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit and that football isn’t called football over here — there are a few other things you can do to help ease your adjustment into American culture during your residency.
Let’s get started:
1. Stay connected to home
Once you move here, you’re going to experience culture shock. That’s completely normal, but to minimize the “strangeness” of everything, remind yourself of home. Download your favorite TV shows or movies or subscribe to any magazines or newspapers that will help make the transition easier. See if you can find a local grocery store or restaurant that sells any of your favorite foods. Before you leave for America, book a plane ticket for a return trip home during a break period. This will give you something to look forward to when things seem overwhelming.
2. Eat breakfast for dinner
Americans have a lot of strange eating habits, and eating breakfast for dinner is just one of them. Seriously. It’s OK to eat pancakes at 8 p.m. And while we’re on the subject of food, you’ll be surprised to see how big our portions are over here. When eating out, you’ll always get more than what you asked for. Bonus tip: If you’re here for the summer, go check out your local state fair and eat a funnel cake. You can’t get more American than that.
3. Adjust to speaking English
If you’re coming to America to do your residency, you’re most likely fluent in English. But keep in mind: if you have a thick accent, this could affect how some of your patients or colleagues (particularly those who are older) understand you. Now is the best time to take a quick refresher course at a local school. And if your residency is in the South, it’s “ya’ll,” not “you all.”
4. Make new friends
You won’t be the only international student who comes to do a residency. Making friends with other international students can be an easy thing to do (you’ll feel like you’re all in it together), but your American counterparts can be just as a friendly. Here’s an idea: Invite your new friends over for dinner and cook a dish from your home. Your American friends will be glad it’s not pancakes.
5. Get involved with your community
The best way to start to feel American is to get involved with the world beyond your hospital’s doors. See what you can do to volunteer with the community. The best part about living in America is that there are so many ways you can spend your time: exercising, going to the movies, art shows, music, dance and theatre. Experience as much as you can while you’re here. Knowing what it’s like to be an American will help you connect with your American patients.
What other tips would you share? Share in the comments, then find out more about the residency process on our website!