1. Adapting to Culture in the U
Adapting to Culture in the U.S and Mississippi State University (from one outsider to another)
Brian S. Baldwin
Professor, Plant Science & Genetics
Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

2. You are here
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3. You are here
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4. The North
The South
You are here
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5. Interacting with Southerners
Southerners are friendly people
Mississippi is the “Hospitality State”
Conversations are often long
May be considered rude to cut a conversation off.
Polite to ask about family, how things are going and if you are doing well.
Tradition of hugging friends and even acquaintances.
You ARE welcome here
Often acknowledge others with a waive or head nod
Students are often addressed as Mr. or Miss plus their first name
Yes sir/no sir; yes ma’am no ma’am
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

6. Interacting with Southerners (2)
Majority of Southerners are practicing Protestant Christians
Larger businesses are open on Sunday
Southerners are generally conservative
Dress professionally – look at faculty in your department.
Modest dress. Shirt should cover the chest (men and women).
Limited makeup
Limited to no fragrances (later)
Children, if they can walk and talk they should be covered from the waist down in public
Welcome to Starkville! Come ya’ll, let’s go eat.”
Food is a social event
Tailgating before football games– do it!
Very difficult to eat out halal
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

7. Interacting with your Advisor
In the U.S., faculty are approachable.
Talk with you advisor
We are not mind-readers
We are here to help and guide you in your work here.
Not everyone is familiar with your high holy days
If you want time for these holidays, ask your advisor
Sometimes your personal life affects your “job”
They can often help
If you are having trouble with your research or not making progress, it is important your advisor knows why
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

8. Interacting with Students
Even if you are English speaking;
In the U.S. our dialect is American.
Not necessarily English. Certainly it isn’t British
In order to understand you, you may need to write or diagram what you are saying on the board
Allows students to learn how you accent words
U.S. students can be forward and whiny, especially when it comes to grades
Stick to the syllabus
Remember you know this, they are just learning it. They won’t get it the first time you say it.
If a student speaks during the class, it doesn’t mean that they are disrespectful of you. They may have a question about subject matter they are learning etc.
Learn students’ names and call them by their names
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

9. Equality among Gender/Class RESPECT
In the U.S. under federal law, women and men are equal
We pride ourselves on equality and (still) strive for it
Many women are in positions of great authority at the University
Treat them with the same respect you would a man
Unless you have been invited to do so, address female professors as you would male professors
Dr. Reichert, not Dr. Nancy
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

10. Equality among Gender/Class
Support staff (secretarial staff).
Most are women
They are who really run the department
Be nice to them
Janitorial staff
Honor in honest work
Be friendly – you are in the South
Just because they empty the trash and sweep the floors doesn’t mean they are less a person than you.
Students/student wage workers
Treat them with respect.
You work with them, they don’t necessarily work for you
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

11. Scents/Hygiene Americans are “nose-sensitive”
Limit the use of strong colognes and perfumes
We are also very conscience of body odor.
Water isn’t limiting in this part of the U.S.
Bath/shower daily or every two days with soap
Dress in clean clothes after bathing
Wash clothes with detergent before wearing them again
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

12. General things that will help you
Find your national student association.
They have been through it and can explain why Americans do things
Speak English at your home/apartment.
Important to help you with English
Help your spouse and children
Write in English – your class notes, everything
Tape lectures, then write the notes in English
Practice writing in professional format
This will help with your thesis or dissertation
Social Media
Be professional
Privatize you social media accounts
Don’t post anything ANYTHING! that you wouldn’t want your mother to see
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop

13. Welcome to Mississippi State University
ようこそ 欢迎
أهلا بك
fàilte
bem vindos
karibuni
ласкаво просимо
स्वागत हे
ברוך הבא
bienvenido 환영
benvenuto
bienvenue
willkommen
خوش آمدید
स्वागतम्
ยินดีต้อนรับ
Καλώς Ορίσατε
добро пожаловать
hoan nghênh
Ẹ ku abọ
halito
Welcome to Mississippi State University
Fall 2019 GTA Workshop