Adapting to Culture in the U.S and Mississippi State University (from one outsider to another)

Adapting to Culture in the U.S and Mississippi State University(from one outsider to another) Brian S. Baldwin Professor, Plant Science & Genetics Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

You are here Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

The North The South You are here Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Interacting with Southerners • Southerners are friendly people • Mississippi is the “Hospitality State” • Conversations are often long • May be considered rude to cut a conversation off. • Polite to ask about family, how things are going and if you are doing well. • Tradition of hugging friends and even acquaintances. • You ARE welcome here • Often acknowledge others with a waive or head nod • Students are often addressed as Mr. or Miss plus their first name • Yes sir/no sir; yes ma’am no ma’am Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Interacting with Southerners (2) • Majority of Southerners are practicing Protestant Christians • Larger businesses are open on Sunday • Southerners are generally conservative • Dress professionally – look at faculty in your department. • Modest dress. Shirt should cover the chest (men and women). • Limited makeup • Limited to no fragrances (later) • Children, if they can walk and talk they should be covered from the waist down in public • Welcome to Starkville! Come ya’ll, let’s go eat.” • Food is a social event • Tailgating before football games– do it! • Very difficult to eat out halal Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Interacting with your Advisor • In the U.S., faculty are approachable. • Talk with you advisor • We are not mind-readers • We are here to help and guide you in your work here. • Not everyone is familiar with your high holy days • If you want time for these holidays, ask your advisor • Sometimes your personal life affects your “job” • They can often help • If you are having trouble with your research or not making progress, it is important your advisor knows why Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Interacting with Students • Even if you are English speaking; • In the U.S. our dialect is American. • Not necessarily English. Certainly it isn’t British • In order to understand you, you may need to write or diagram what you are saying on the board • Allows students to learn how you accent words • U.S. students can be forward and whiny, especially when it comes to grades • Stick to the syllabus • Remember you know this, they are just learning it. They won’t get it the first time you say it. • If a student speaks during the class, it doesn’t mean that they are disrespectful of you. They may have a question about subject matter they are learning etc. • Learn students’ names and call them by their names Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Equality among Gender/ClassRESPECT • In the U.S. under federal law, women and men are equal • We pride ourselves on equality and (still) strive for it • Many women are in positions of great authority at the University • Treat them with the same respect you would a man • Unless you have been invited to do so, address female professors as you would male professors • Dr. Reichert, not Dr. Nancy Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Equality among Gender/Class • Support staff (secretarial staff). • Most are women • They are who really run the department • Be nice to them • Janitorial staff • Honor in honest work • Be friendly – you are in the South • Just because they empty the trash and sweep the floors doesn’t mean they are less a person than you. • Students/student wage workers • Treat them with respect. • You work with them, they don’t necessarily work for you Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Scents/Hygiene • Americans are “nose-sensitive” • Limit the use of strong colognes and perfumes • We are also very conscience of body odor. • Water isn’t limiting in this part of the U.S. • Bath/shower daily or every two days with soap • Dress in clean clothes after bathing • Wash clothes with detergent before wearing them again Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

General things that will help you • Find your national student association. • They have been through it and can explain why Americans do things • Speak English at your home/apartment. • Important to help you with English • Help your spouse and children • Write in English – your class notes, everything • Tape lectures, then write the notes in English • Practice writing in professional format • This will help with your thesis or dissertation • Social Media • Be professional • Privatize you social media accounts • Don’t post anything ANYTHING! that you wouldn’t want your mother to see Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Welcome to Mississippi State University ようこそ欢迎 أهلا بك fàilte bemvindos karibuni ласкаво просимо स्वागत हे ברוך הבא bienvenido 환영 benvenuto bienvenue willkommen स्वागतम् خوش آمدید ยินดีต้อนรับ добро пожаловать Καλώς Ορίσατε hoannghênh Ẹ kuabọ halito Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

Adapting to Culture in the U.S and Mississippi State University (from one outsider to another)