Strategies for students to thrive amid cultural adaptation in the US

Every quarter, students from all over the world travel to university towns in the US to immerse themselves in the culture and gain valuable academic and work experience.

- P K Agarwal

Thanks to university and industry partnerships across the country, students in the bigger university towns such as Silicon Valley will find themselves in the midst of innovation, often learning from tech and business leaders who are shaping the global companies of the day.

The rewards of experiencing new cultures in academia as well as professional internships include expanded academic horizons and strengthened professional resumes for international students. For international students, the challenge is how to take advantage of all the opportunities during their stay and, just as importantly, how to make it feel like home. I was once an international student, and I remember what it was like to immerse myself in new surroundings, to encounter diverse perspectives, teaching methods, and social norms. Fortunately, in Silicon Valley, where the competition for jobs is stiff, the culture of sharing and supporting people with new ideas is exceptional. Students have the opportunity to learn from the industry leaders who are driving innovation in successful global companies. Throughout the country, these leaders teach in university courses like our own, speak at meetups, present at conferences, and organize hackathons. They are the industry partnerships that train the next generation.

Understanding US Academic Culture