Adjusting to a new school in a different country, while very exciting may also be daunting and present challenges while you are acclimating. Schools vary across the country in size, the offerings they have, the amount of diversity, and so much more. You may even adjust to a new method of transportation to get to school as some AFS students will be able to walk to school, while others will ride the school bus, use public transportation, or even be driven by a family member.
The way you are taught at your new school may also be different from what you are used to at your school back home. Teachers tend to be quite casual and like to engage personally with students. You may find them less formal than you are used to, and they may even have you call them by a nickname. Classroom culture in the U.S. also varies based on the teacher, but many expect students to participate in class. This can be raising their hand to ask questions and let a teacher know if they don't understand, but it can also be raising your hand or simply speaking up in a classroom discussion.
The grading scale is something that may be different in each school, so refer to your school handbook or the syllabus that your teachers provide at the start of the school year or semester to understand how they will calculate your grade for each course. Participation or being an active part of a discussion is often considered as part of a student's overall grade. Homework is also an important part of your grade in the U.S. If you are not used to having homework throughout the week, be sure to talk to your school counselor and/or teachers at the beginning of year to gauge how much time you should expect to spend on homework. Also, pay close attention to how you are expected to submit your homework as many U.S. nowadays expect students to submit their homework electronically through an online portal. Additionally, all work you turn in must be your original work, copying work from other sources could be considered plagiarism, read more about that here.
Many U.S. schools have significant access to technology. Don't be surprised if the school provides you with a laptop or other device to use throughout the year, but please remember that your behavior online is monitored and there may be many websites that are blocked for student safety. Be very careful with the device that the school provides as you will be responsible for any repairs that are needed due to negligence or accidents.
On top of adjusting to a different type of teaching and learning, you may also find that socializing in U.S. schools is different than you have experienced back home too. U.S. schools do not typically have any breaks throughout the day except for the time to change classes and to have lunch. So, it is highly recommended that you attend school events and join extracurricular activities as a way to adjust to the school culture and make friends. Read more about joining extracurricular activities here.
Click here to read more about American schools and review some FAQ's
Boarding Schools: Living On-Campus
"It’s [boarding school] like a really big family, you will know all the people here, you can talk to anyone, [and] they are going to help you…. Teachers are like friends." - Raul, Spain Alumni Quote
If you attend a boarding school, your host family is your host school and all the students become your host siblings. A unique experience, living on-campus can be challenging – but just as with a host family – communication is key. Roommate relationships and living on-campus is much like sibling relationships and living in a home, with the difference being that your home is your school dorm. Learning how to work with your roommate(s) and not against, will help build your relationships. Visit Sibling Relationship to help learn and understand how to work with your host roommates.
Boarding schools encourage students to be independent and be responsible for managing their time. It will take time and patience, but remember you have AFS support, your host school, and the friends you will make. It might help to review some tips to Understanding Cultural Adjustments.
Remember to refer to your boarding school Student Handbook for specific on-campus housing tips, rules, and guidelines.