Being a U.S. American Abroad
There are both positive and negative stereotypes of U.S. citizens you may encounter abroad including things like: life every where in the U.S. is just as it appears on the t.v. show "the O.C." and everyone carries a gun. We encourage you to do some research to learn a bit more about being an American living and studying in another country.
Remember that as a Brandeis student, you are representing the university and your nation. Some of the things you may want to consider about how to comport yourself include:
Politeness: While abroad be prepared to keep a relatively formal manner in social settings. Formal greetings may be used frequently so have one prepared before you go. In general, use formal expressions and verb conjugations until you understand the nuances of when and with whom it is appropriate to be more casual.
Humor: Humor can be difficult to translate between languages and cultures. Americans have a unique way of “joking” in the sense that we are often “kidding” in a sarcastic tone. This type of sarcasm may not exist in other countries so be careful as to how your jokes are perceived. Never translate jokes directly and always keep in mind that the meaning of your joke will most often be taken literally by your listeners.
Physical contact: Be observant of the different stages of a relationship and the amount of physical contact associated with them while you are abroad. For example, a simple pat on the back or a big hug could prove very uncomfortable for the receiver if the context is inappropriate. Take special note of social and personal space, as people in different cultures tend to have different perceptions of how close to stand while talking and saying hello or goodbye.
Personal Questions: As Americans, we often engage in small talk that revolves around what we do, and the subject of the conversation is ourselves. However, in many cultures, this is seen as impolite. In other cultures you may find that it is appropriate to ask very personal questions and you may be asked about personal details that make you uncomfortable.
Drinking and Drunkenness: Be advised that although in many cultures social drinking is as common, drunkenness is rarely viewed as amusing and in most cases is seen as intolerable and insulting. Know the law, local customs, and your own personal limits so as to not perpetuate the stereotype that young U.S. students are loud, drunk, and obnoxious.
Resources:
The Values Americans Live By, by L. Robert Kohls, is a good place to start researching your own culture and learn what implications this may have for your experiences abroad.
The Lies Students Tell Abroad, by Amy Elizabeth Smith, from the Chronicle of Higher Education .