When coming to America for residency, embracing the culture beyond the field of medicine will help with your success!
If you’re coming to America for your medical residency, you’ve probably done all the nitty gritty preparations of getting your paperwork and credentials straightened out.
Beyond understanding the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit and that soccer isn’t called football over here—there are a few other things you can do to help ease your adjustment into American culture.
1. Stay connected to home
When coming to America, you’re going to experience culture shock. That’s completely normal, but to minimize the “strangeness” of everything, it’s important to incorporate little elements 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. Embrace the differences
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 authentically 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 will be easiest (since 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 feeling like an 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. Getting the day-to-day American experience will help you better connect with your American patients.
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