Culture Shock & Adjusting to American Life

[Uoas 58]

I wanted to ask this question to any of the older VJ users from the MENA region who have already moved to the US.

 

What was the biggest culture shock for your SO? The hardest thing to get used to about living in America? Biggest challenges? What they liked/disliked the most? What made it easier and what made adjusting worse? What would your recommendations be for those preparing to move to America from the MENA region and what can their spouse do to better help them adjust? I would love to hear your stories and experience on this topic as I think it would be helpful to those getting ready to start this new chapter in their lives. 

[RJandHamid 1,128]

Hardest adjustment was finding work. We live in a medium sized city and a lot of places are hesitant to hire people with no US work experience. This is probably even more true for MENA men with Muslim names. 

 

Other than that, my husband misses Moroccan food! He thinks the food in the US is too sweet and processed. Luckily he can cook most Moroccan meals for himself. 

 

He also sometimes misses the sense of community that you will find in the MENA region, where people generally know their neighbours, celebrate together, share the same faith, ECT. 

 

One thing he does like about America (at least where we live) is the diversity in landscapes and people. I think one of the most helpful things will be pushing him to make new friends. Overall it does take a lot of patience, especially if he's never been outside of the MENA region. It's almost like a whole different world in some aspects. 

[old-fella 109]

cultural shock as in the usual American ways of life and we wouldn't understand it. I used to google search such things all the time. But I am so lucky to have colleagues from many countries ( i work with 9 different nationality people along with my American colleagues in my office) and my wife by my side life is awesome.

 

Had an issue with driving. Early when I was learning to drive in America, I almost killed us (that is how my wife puts) but I made a turn towards oncoming traffic. Boy that day was horrible, I felt so bad. Good lord nothing happened, people honked at us and yelled. 

 

Had issue finding the right job. But again with time, everything will be fine. I too miss food but I cook mostly at home. The most I miss is the street food, that yelling, and swearing with friends in the local language and my friend.

 

I have amazing brilliant colleagues, I work with here in America but I don't feel the same connection with them as I used.  I know with time, everything will be fine

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

Food. The language.

I cant think of one thing that can make it better to adjust...but to be patient and understanding of each other. IF he comes here, he is most likely leaving behind a big close family. This was the biggest struggle. So if you have other Moroccans he can socialize with in your community that's a big plus.... encourage this fellowship.

 

[visaqueries 111]

My husband was frustrated with the fact that he had to go from a job where he was managing his team to a job where his position was bottom of the chain of command. He doesn’t like that his experience and education was not valued when seeking a job.

 

He also believes people in America are not always true to their emotions...they smile at you even if they don’t like you (then talk behind your back). He says people are much more authentic with the way they relate to each other in Egypt.

 

I searched for places he could go that would remind him of home. There are a few coffee shops/shisha places he goes where the Egyptian men gather. We also eat at Mediterranean restaurants. Thankfully he has found some friends who understand his culture and way of doing things.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

The food / Moroccan olive oil 

you should not have trouble finding a job in Orlando

bring some twigs of mint for tea / I did and we have a big mint garden now

easy to find the gunpowder tea (it is online if u don't have an international store nearby)

Chicago store imports Morocco olive oil and other products

living in the country and not being able to walk down a street to a cafe and watch futbal  with freinds

work is too strict here / was never on a timeline or time clock before

the tax system and all the money that is taken out of my pay

the cost of insurance (for everything)

good thing my wife is easy to live with or US would be hard

people are not as friendly 

in Morocco they welcome a new person and introduce themselves

[Hobidyali 267]

15 hours ago, Uoas said:

I wanted to ask this question to any of the older VJ users from the MENA region who have already moved to the US.

 

What was the biggest culture shock for your SO? The hardest thing to get used to about living in America? Biggest challenges? What they liked/disliked the most? What made it easier and what made adjusting worse? What would your recommendations be for those preparing to move to America from the MENA region and what can their spouse do to better help them adjust? I would love to hear your stories and experience on this topic as I think it would be helpful to those getting ready to start this new chapter in their lives. 

My fiance is not with me yet but theres alot of job opportunities in Orlando, theres also a large Moroccan community there so it will be easy for him to make friends. Wishing you all the best.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

On the USC side it was harder for me to adjust and always eat his Moroccan food 

than it has been for him

 

Jeanne

[Uoas 58]

1 hour ago, Hobidyali said:

My fiance is not with me yet but theres alot of job opportunities in Orlando, theres also a large Moroccan community there so it will be easy for him to make friends. Wishing you all the best.

Yea we have a huge muslim community in Orlando as well along with a large MENA community, which I'm really grateful for as it will make it less difficult for him to find friends and ease into things. Disney also employs a lot of Moroccans as well outside of those already living in Orlando, I really hope that will help him!

 

Thank you so much! I hope everything goes well for you and your fiance! The best we can do is support them and try to make the transition as easy as possible on them!🤗

[Uoas 58]

2 hours ago, visaqueries said:

My husband was frustrated with the fact that he had to go from a job where he was managing his team to a job where his position was bottom of the chain of command. He doesn’t like that his experience and education was not valued when seeking a job.

 

He also believes people in America are not always true to their emotions...they smile at you even if they don’t like you (then talk behind your back). He says people are much more authentic with the way they relate to each other in Egypt.

 

I searched for places he could go that would remind him of home. There are a few coffee shops/shisha places he goes where the Egyptian men gather. We also eat at Mediterranean restaurants. Thankfully he has found some friends who understand his culture and way of doing things.

I think that's what we're both worried about that as well. My husband is an engineer so we're working on getting his degrees internationally accredited and hoping that will help with the employment situation once he gets to the States.  I can't even image how frustrated he must've been having to deal with job searches. I guess we'll have to prepare for those challenges but it's good to have an idea now of what to expect so we're not blindsided. Thank you for the advice and sharing your experience!

[Hobidyali 267]

8 minutes ago, Uoas said:

Yea we have a huge muslim community in Orlando as well along with a large MENA community, which I'm really grateful for as it will make it less difficult for him to find friends and ease into things. Disney also employs a lot of Moroccans as well outside of those already living in Orlando, I really hope that will help him!

 

Thank you so much! I hope everything goes well for you and your fiance! The best we can do is support them and try to make the transition as easy as possible on them!🤗

Yes definitely, it will definitely be hopefully an easier transition for him since there are many Moroccans . He will hopefully be able to make friends so that he doesn't feel so out of his element and the work situation is also very very good. There are alot of job opportunities and even Uber, cause of the tourism once he has his license he can do that. Overall, a great city for a newcomer from MA and it doesn't hurt that housing and even buying a home is relatively lower than most other cities in the u.s. Thank you and I also wish for you a speedy and smooth transition throughout your case . 

 

 

[Hobidyali 267]

1 minute ago, Uoas said:

I think that's what we're both worried about that as well. My husband is an engineer so we're working on getting his degrees internationally accredited and hoping that will help with the employment situation once he gets to the States.  I can't even image how frustrated he must've been having to deal with job searches. I guess we'll have to prepare for those challenges but it's good to have an idea now of what to expect so we're not blindsided. Thank you for the advice and sharing your experience!

Look into a company called Joseph Silny & Associates, they are out of Miami, he's great at validating foreign degrees, I would definitely look into that. He might not get a job as an Engineer right away but maybe with the validation a job in an Engineers office while he takes the necessary state licenses and/or examinations. The point is, he will do just fine and in the end he will be on his way and alright. Best of luck.

[Uoas 58]

2 hours ago, adil-rafa said:

The food / Moroccan olive oil 

you should not have trouble finding a job in Orlando

bring some twigs of mint for tea / I did and we have a big mint garden now

easy to find the gunpowder tea (it is online if u don't have an international store nearby)

Chicago store imports Morocco olive oil and other products

living in the country and not being able to walk down a street to a cafe and watch futbal  with freinds

work is too strict here / was never on a timeline or time clock before

the tax system and all the money that is taken out of my pay

the cost of insurance (for everything)

good thing my wife is easy to live with or US would be hard

people are not as friendly 

in Morocco they welcome a new person and introduce themselves

I didn't think about bringing mint but that's a good idea! His family is from the Rif so olive oil is a must. I'm wondering how much we can get away with packing in our suitcases. 🤔I know his unlce had issues in the past when he tried to bring some back to Canada in his checked bag. Have you brought olive oil back from Morocco in large amounts? The most I've brought back was a liter but I'm hoping to get away with bringing 10 liters back. 

 

I'm sorry you didn't find Americans friendly. I was shocked by how friendly Moroccans are and the personal space standard is very different compared to Americans. Hopefully that won't be too shocking for him 😅

[Uoas 58]

25 minutes ago, Hobidyali said:

Look into a company called Joseph Silny & Associates, they are out of Miami, he's great at validating foreign degrees, I would definitely look into that. He might not get a job as an Engineer right away but maybe with the validation a job in an Engineers office while he takes the necessary state licenses and/or examinations. The point is, he will do just fine and in the end he will be on his way and alright. Best of luck.

Thank you so much!  I will definitely look into what they can do for us! We're currently sending all his documents to WES since I've seen a lot of universities request international students validate their degree/education through them. Having a validation from FL sounds better though! Yea that's very true! Worst case scenario he works and retakes some courses at UCF.

 

I didn't realize you are from the Orlando area as well! What a small world 😊

[EandH0904 1,184]

11 hours ago, Uoas said:

I think that's what we're both worried about that as well. My husband is an engineer so we're working on getting his degrees internationally accredited and hoping that will help with the employment situation once he gets to the States.  

Idk how it is with engineering but as an RN I've seen dozens of international doctors have to redo medical school and/or residency even after being physicians in their home country for years. 

 

I hope its easier with engineering.