ANDREW – MALAYSIAWINTANA - ETHIOPIA

ASMITA – INDIAYASH – INDIA/USA

HUI – CHINAKAI – CHINA

YUAN – CHINA

JOYITA – INDIA

AYDIN – TURKEYTHOMAS – CANADA/USA

AFTAN – USAJEANNE – CHINA/USA

ALEKS – MONTENEGRO

to Lehigh and the USAInternational Orientation Fall

2012

Your friend invites you to a party at 7:00pm in your home country. What time would you

actually arrive?

1 2 3 4

11% 11%

44%

33%

1. Exactly on time at 7:00pm

2. 10 minutes early

3. 10-20 minutes late

4. Sometime between an hour early and an hour late

Concept of Time

America has a very fast paced lifestyle.

Tip 1 : It’s all about TIME.

Punctuality Being on time is always respected. If you are going to be late, inform first.

Time Management College is fun, but don’t get too carried away. Spend your time wisely. (Planner, Reminder, Notes

and etc. ) Personal Responsibility

Everything is graded. Take everything seriously. Aware of what’s professors mention in class.

You meet someone you want to be friends with, what do you do?

30%

40%

0%

30% 1. Invite them for a meal at your house this weekend

2. Tell them directly you want to be friends

3. Ask them for coffee sometime4. Ask them for his or her phone

number

Tip 2 : Friendliness ≠ Friendship

Americans are typically very friendly –However, this friendliness does not

necessarily have to become deep personal friendships

“Let’s get coffee sometime” or “let’s do lunch”What do you think?

Tip 3 : Communication is king

Eye Contact Body Language Questions In a classroom – asking question is often encouraged;

it’s a sign of interest in the subject. What you generally SHOULD NOT directly ask an

American? Money – it is very impolite to ask how much one earns Religion – a personal choice -- some feel this is private Political Affiliation – some Americans can be defensive

if you talk politics

Tip 3 : Communication is king

Direct: one meaning, used to convey information quickly Report and academic writing. Some situations with pressure of time or need:

Professor on the way to a meeting Someone is making you feel uncomfortable

Indirect: an alternative meaning Are you busy? (favor, question, or advice) I am not a fan of cheesecake (I don’t like cheesecake) Do you have an extra pen? (I need a pen) How are you doing? (Hi)

No standard: contextual, personality, regional and relationship differences

Tip 3 : Communication is king

Addressing someone - If you are unsure of what to call someone, it's best to use a formal address or simply ask, What should I call you?

Small talk - Informal type of communication

Americans can talk too fast – Don’t feel shy to ask them to repeat or Pardon or Could you please slow down?

Tip 4 : Don’t get the HUMOR. It’s okay.

Americans love to have a great sense of humor

They sometimes use humor to make their point

Humor relies on shared experiences and culture

SarcasmMisunderstanding -- If you don’t understand

someone’s humor and are not sure what he/she is trying to say, don’t be afraid to ask ☺

Tip 5 : Understanding Personal Space

Personal Space No means No

Refusal It’s okay to say NO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVSIkEi3mM

Tip 6 : Get involved on campus activities

Volunteers opportunities: Pay attention to International Office Email Notification

Activities : Becky’s Drive In Movie Theater Jersey Shore Moravian Museum Martin Guitar Factory NYC Trip/Shopping Trip International Bazaar

Make your college life fun. RSVP – Please respond to the email (ASAP)

Tip 7 : Difficult Roommates

Difficult Roommates issue Examples

How to deal with them? Be straightforward to your roommates. Be polite (Please rule) but be firm (Your

purpose). Know your options – to move or not to move Have a peaceful relationship

Tips 7 : Ask Officers at OISS if you need help

They are your best friends in here. Greet them politely Say thank you

You go out for dinner, how much % tip is normal for you leave?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. 0%2. 5-10%3. 10-20%4. 50%

Tip 8 : Food & Money in US

Ordering at Restaurant : DO NOT GIVE ORDERS Being polite is nice, use indirect speech (E.g.: “Can

I have…?” Instead of “Get me….”)Tipping

(15-18%) Sit Down Restaurants or Delivery Tables of 6 or more: tips is automatic -- don’t tip in

fast food or buffet placesMoney mattersBethlehem Passport

What is this called?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Soda2. Pop3. Soft Drink4. Coke

What is this called?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. Sub2. Sandwich3. Hoagie4. Hero

Where to eat off campus?

Check inside your Passport to Bethlehem:

-Go to the restaurant/business-Get a discount-Collect Stickers inside the passport-Receive a mystery prize for 8 stickers-First 3 to finish, receive a gift certificate-Show your passport to ISS when you finish

Tip 8 : Food & Money in US

Money 

Quarter = 25 cents Nickel = 5 cents Dime = 10 cents Penny = 1 cent

Tip 9 : Diversity of the country

REGION , CHACTERISTICS, ACCENTSEast: hurry, rush, more businesslike compared to other

places; South: slower pace, tradition, hospitalityMidwesterners: practical, and a bit more traditional, warm

and openWesterners: very independent and individualistic; West Coast: relaxed and informalNOTE: These are broad description and will not apply to

every person from a particular region

Tip 10 : Travelling

Transportation Safety Keep your ID with you all the time

Cities close to Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM

PhiladelphiaNew York

City

Washington DC

Transbridgelines

Bieber

NYC

Bieber

Megabu

s

Airports close by:

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)20 mins from Lehigh – better to take a cab or drive there

Newark 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic –Transbridgelines has regular buses

JFK 3 to 5 hours, depending on traffic – Transbridgelines has 2 buses/day

LaGuardia Bethlehem to PABT through Transbridgelines, you can get shuttles to airport from there

Fall 2012 Events Preview

Ice Cream Social, 21 August, Saucon Village, 6:30pm-7:30pm Speed Friending, 23 August, Lamberton, 7pm-9pm GSS BBQ, 24 August, Packer House, 6pm-9pm Club Fair, 27 August, UC Lawn, 4pm – 6pm Global Union Open House, 29 August, Coxe Hall, 4pm-6pm Resume Workshop, 30 August, 4:10pm-5:00pm “I Know Who You Are, I Saw What You Did” a presentation on Internet

Privacy and Facebook Nation by Lori Andrews, 30 August, Sinclair Auditorium, 7:00pm

Tuesdays @ 10, Packer House Breakfast (Muffins, Coffer, and Good Conversation)

Women’s Exchange, Select Thursdays, Packer House, 12pm-1pm Farmer’s Market, Thursdays , campus Square, 11:00am-3:00pm Lehigh Club of Northern New Jersey ay of Volunteering, 3 November,

Alumni Association, 8:00am-4:00pm

ISS -- http://www.lehigh.edu/oiss/events.html Graduate Student Senate -- http://www.lehigh.edu/gss Study Abroad -- http://www.lehigh.edu/~incis/