Waking up thousands of miles away from home, then finding yourself constantly speaking a foreign language while simultaneously learning different subjects, and meeting people from a totally different background than you.
From food, to social behaviors and lifestyle: a lot can change when moving to a different country. According to The University of Alabama Demographics, 3 percent of the students on campus come from 82 different countries. After reaching out to some of those students, these are the top 9 things International Students learn in the deep South:
1. Y’all
Most likely to be the first new word learned by an international student when arriving at Alabama. I never understood why people here couldn't just say "you guys" but this is definitely in my everyday vocabulary now.
2. Smiling at strangers
Believe it or not, but plenty of places around the world are not accustomed to giving random smiles or "good mornings" when bumping into strangers on the streets. Many international students have to get used to the fact that people actually wave at their neighbors down here (and we try our best to remember to wave back). The Southerners can definitely be warm people and know how to make us feel welcomed.
3. Football
Before arriving at Alabama, many of us had no idea that college sports were such a big deal. Although in the beginning, it was a little hard to grasp the concept that athletes are basically celebrities on campus, other countries should encourage more sports like the American schools do.
4. The apologies
Something else related to the Southern hospitality: people love apologizing around here. From a bad weather to nearly (but not really) bumping into someone, hearing so many “I’m sorry's" throughout the day can be something different to us.
5. Jackets in the summer
What’s up with the really cold air conditioning around here? First lesson on the first day of class: bring a jacket with you, no matter how hot it may be outside.
6. Fast service
Coming from being the fast eater in my family back home, I seem to be pretty slow when it comes to eating here. I have found Americans to be very practical people, from having the option of pickup in many different kinds of stores, to bringing the bill in a restaurant while people are still eating.
7. Coffee to go
Also related to the fast-paced down here, people love their to-go drinks. When walking around campus, it is inevitable not to see people going to places while having their coffee cups on their hands. For many of us, drinking coffee is something done as a chill down experience and also an opportunity to catching up the talk with friends, normally done sitting down and with a small coffee mug. Also, talk about the lines out the door every time I walk by Starbucks on campus!
8. Chicken and Waffles
Before going to the South it had never crossed my mind that I would hear this two words together. It might sound like a strange combination for an international student at first, but I wouldn’t trade my Chicken and Waffles for anything now.
9. The Free Stuff
One thing us, internationals, love about the U.S.: so. much. free. stuff! Little did we know that being an international student at Alabama also came with free meals every week, endless pins and shirts given by the university. That's something we definitely don't have a hard time getting used to.
