Living In the U.S.

Task for unit 1. Identifying Ukrainian traditions

Project work.

Study the recommendations below about visiting the USA.

Find more information about Ukraine.

Use various sources of information and present your findings in class (recommendations for visiting Ukraine).

Recommendations

Living In the U.S.

U.S. society has traditionally stressed individuality. To those not familiar with daily life in the United States, some manifestations of this 'individuality' may seem to be rude or impertinent behavior. The purpose of the following text is to describe some common patterns of behavior, manners of politeness and attitudes in the U.S. In this text we have highlighted those areas of U.S. culture and daily life which may represent unexpected differences for Eurasian visitors.

As you read the text, please keep in mind that in the U.S., there are as many exceptions as there are rules. One hard fast rule - expect the unexpected. Part of your challenge as a visiting scholar in the United States will be to discover and adapt to the local customs.

1. Your Stay in the U.S.!

Housing and Host Families

On-campus apartment suites are provided by the host university. During one weekend of the program, participants will stay with host families. This will provide them with a warm welcome to the community of their host site and a network of community members to socialize with throughout the program.

Meals

The majority of participant's meals will be provided by the university. A schedule of dining hall operation times will be made available at the seminar site.

Financial Support/Stipends

Stipends are provided by American Councils for living expenses, incidental expenses and meals. These stipends are sent to each teacher in a lump-sum every few weeks.

International Travel

American Councils provides each teacher with an airline ticket to and from Eurasia. Both tickets are attached in one packet that you will receive before departing from Eurasia. Your return ticket will be collected by American Councils once you reach the United States.

2. U.S. Population

The United States has always prided itself on being a "melting pot," a changing, developing heterogeneous society. Everywhere In the U.S., you will see and meet people of many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since 1980, the U.S. population has risen 6.9 percent, from 226.5 million to 242.2 million.

3. Social Customs

Introductions and Forms of Address

In U.S. culture, there are generally three titles which can be used for women (Miss, Ms., and Mrs.), and one which can be used for men (Mr.). These titles are before last (family) names. Men and women will be confused if you use Ms., Miss, Mrs., or Mr. with a first name, as is the custom in some countries. The title 'Mr.', with the last name, can be used to refer to any man. The title 'Mrs.' is used to refer to a married woman, followed by the last name of the husband (Mrs. Smith, for example, wife of John Smith). The title 'Miss', followed by a family name, is used for some unmarried women. However, the title 'Ms.', which has come into use during the past twenty years, is free of reference to marital status. It is sometimes used to refer to either a married or unmarried women, and is based on the concept that a woman's marital status is not automatically relevant.

This does not mean, however, 'Ms.' is always an appropriate form of address for all women. The title 'Ms.' has entered the English language only recently and it is not a neutral word. 'Ms.' also has feminist connotations. To avoid using the wrong title, people in the U.S. usually politely ask which title to use, as they are being introduced. For instance, take the following conversation:

Mr. Williams: Mr. Johnson, I'd like to introduce you to Kristin Reinhart.

Mr. Johnson: (as they shake hands) I'm very pleased to meet you. Is it "Ms. Reinhart'?

Mrs. Reinhart: "Mrs.' It's my pleasure.

The title "Dr." is used in academic or medical settings as title for those on whom a university has conferred a high degree (Ph.D. or M.D., respectively). Some professors will prefer to be addressed by their first name and will tell you so.

In the U.S., when introductions are made in a formal or professional setting, titles are generally used. In informal situations, people are often introduced on a first-name basis. In most Russian departments in U.S. higher education facilities, the Russian concept of name and patronymic is understood and used. It is likely, however, that outside of this domain, the use of name and patronymic as a form of address will be unknown.

In the U.S., people tend to be informal. People may, for instance, address each other by their first names, even in professional settings.

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