Resources: Notes on Life and Language in the United States

Is interviewing in the United States the same as interviewing in other cultures?

If you have been living in the United States and learning English, you probably know that the concept of time is important in our culture because we have so many expressions in English that are related to time. In a previous article, we talked about the link between language and American culture that can be seen through phrases like "time is money". Today we have a few new expressions that are frequently used in American English. These expressions tell us that in the United States, especially in big cities like Boston or New York, time is definitely on our minds.

The best way to learn more about the ways in which culture impacts our lives is to talk to people who have experienced the life challenge of moving to a new country to live, work and/or study.  A few weeks ago, I sat down with Rodrigo, a Bolivian law student who moved to Boston about a year ago, to talk about his adjustment to life in the United States. During our conversation about culture, we talked about what was challenging for him about moving to the US, differences in communication styles here and what it's like to be interviewed for graduate school in the US. We would like to hear about your experiences as well.  If you would like to share your thoughts about life in the US and US culture and help us with our latest project, please contact us and we will arrange an appointment.

If you are doing business in the USA this year in one of the great cities like New York or Boston, you have a fantastic opportunity to do more than just advance your career. You can improve your English and learn about American culture by getting out and experiencing life in these urban centers. A lot of our English students at English and Culture are assigned to positions in New York or Boston for a short term project (a few months) or for a long term position and they stay for a year or more. Regardless of how long you are here, you should take advantage of your chance to experience American culture outside of your office. Do you have a free Saturday afternoon? Get out of your hotel room or your apartment and do some exploring! Why is this so important? Keep reading to find out.

Is global leadership a part of your career in the United States? If you are an international professional working in New York or Boston and you are collaborating with people from different cultures at work, you are a global leader! How successful are you at global leadership? Are you able to communicate clearly with your team members or do you sometimes misunderstand them? Do you have the same work style as your colleagues? If not, how is that affecting your ability to work together? In the United States these days, most large companies have employees from all different parts of the world. Learn how to be successful in your career in the United States! In this post, find out what the crucial skills are that every global leader must have to be successful at work.

When we start our lives in a new country, we always come with expectations.

 If you are an international professional, working and living in the United States, English and Culture are the tools you need to succeed. Anyone from another country who has ever tried to complete a business deal, apply for a job or even strike up a conversation with an American will tell you that just being able to speak English is not enough to be successful in the United States. However, a lot of international professionals come to the US and reach a high level of English but then realize that they are still not succeeding at work. What's missing? It might be culture!  In this post, I will offer 4 reasons culture is more important than you think. 

Are cultural transitions challenging for you?

English immersion is the best way or perhaps the only way to learn English.