The Most Surprising in Bowdoin College

Bowdoin College is a wonderful place to get an education and build more ability. The education systems include technology, study materials and equipment and services, and especially people behavior makes me surprise. I list some notes and would like to describe my impressions of people here.

People here are so polite and respectful. When I want to walk across the road, all the drivers always stop their cars, raise their hands to sign “GO AHEAD”, and then I can pass the road in safely. Compared to my country, if I want to across the road I need to wait until the cars drive far away from me. Also sometimes, the cars will drive slowly to wait me until I pass the road. Moreover, they are so friendly. I get a warm welcome from the President of the College, professors and the staff here. The professors always welcome to ask all the questions. It is so difficult to describe about my culture because we always use the polite and traditional words, and it is not easy to contact with the high position people. In addition, when I need something or have questions the staff helps me all the time. Everything here is always new for me such as how to eat the American food, how to find the buildings using a map, how to print the documents, how to use the laundry and other things. I always ask and learn everything from people around me.

When I was in my country, I also learned about American culture. It is so different from Cambodia, I can adapt to this environment. Students are so challenging and well understanding. They are so free between male and female students. They also like talking about the movies, actors, entertainment and hangout places for the night time. However, I live in different culture. The men can’t come to visit women at night time, the woman can’t go out with the men at the night time, or she can’t bring her boyfriend to sleep with her at night time. It looks so strict, but we have many good reasons to explain. Furthermore, I sometimes get culture shock, but it does not affect me because people around me understand and respect my own culture.

In conclusion, the American culture and attitude are so different from my country and my own attitude. I need to learn and adapt to this environment every day. Although some points of American culture are contrast to my culture, there are many good points to learn and change in order to develop my country. This is a great chance for me to learn American-English as an International Language and the culture as Universal.

By Marady

©2011