For some of you, this is your first semester and possibly your first time here in California. For others, you have been here for a while. Nonetheless, I would like for you to go back to when you first arrived here in the state of California. What were your first impressions? Have those impressions changed? If so, how? Has it been for the better or for the worse?
At the first time that i've been in California, my first impression was peaceful, for when i just came in Lax Airport, it was 3p.m. Then, i felt the warm wind into my face with a sunny day. So, that was a really good impression! thanks
ReplyDeleteI am glad to read that you were greeted with great weather. This entry is too short, Vitor!
DeleteThis is my second semester to study in CSUF; I have been here 8 years ago with my family. Since it was really long time ago and I don't have much memories, I would like to share what I thought when I came here to study. First of all, Southern California is always hot!!! Especially in summer, I feel like burning. However, thank for the dryness, I've never sweat before. Second one is most of the students are wearing "CSUF" clothes. It is weird in my country that many people are wearing a T-shirts that has our school's name. But in here, it's really normal to wear that kind of cloth. I was really amazed!! And I like this kind of culture.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! People are always wearing school clothes. You will sometimes see students wearing shirts for other universities. The one thing NOT to wear is the clothes for a rival school. :)
DeleteI arrived LAX on 28th of December, a winter day. But I had visited Korea where was -13 degrees the day before; thus, it was so warm in California. It made me so comfortable. And you know, there's a lot of Vietnamese in California, especially in this Orange County. My friend's sisters, who picked me up at LAX are Vietnamese too. They drived me to a Vietnamese restaurant, and we had a meeting using Vietnamese there. Then we came to their house and met their parents, ofcouse they're Vietnamese. The most surprised me is that their neighbours are Vietnamese too. I went to register for a bank account, and the staff spoke Vietnamese. They're all so kinds, and it was more convenient, but not good at all with me at that time. I had the feeling that I was still in Vietnam, just in another city far from my home, and so sad that I couldnt meet my family. "Traped in an old place and separated with family", It was a terrible feeling. I was also disappointed with small houses and bad public traffic transport systerm here, it was toltally different from what I had seen in the movies about "luxury America". But, thank God, after 3 days, I could go visit another friend in San Jose, and she took me to travel around San Francisco and did countdown in Downtown San Francisco. Finally I had an "American feeling". When I move to Fullerton, everything was getting better. I made more friends from other countries, went to many amazing places, did many atractive activies, met many interesting people. Now I can feel that my love for California is increasing everyday. I love the beautiful sunset, the cool weather, pretty beaches, the hills, trees and school here. I hope that I will get familiar with this beautiful state more and more in the future, and the time I has spent and will spend there will be an "unforgetable road" in my life.
ReplyDeleteWhew! I am relieved to read that your impression has improved. What a surprise and change to go from -13 degrees weather to the warmth of California!
DeleteAt first, when I was stepping out the Lax Airport, I didn't feel any thing quite different except almost all the signs were written in English and the wind was worm and tender. When my dad drove me to our living place that far away from downtown, I was impressed by the scenery along the roads. There were no tall buildings but various of styles cute houses, and many kinds of vegetation and flowers grown behind the houses. Then I found that the sky is always blue and here always have enough sunshine. Even it is already in the middle of October, we felt hot.
ReplyDeleteBesides the weather, the native people are also friendly and polite. I didn't felt very nervous when I was in the leasing offices in the apartments that near to our school because receptionists were really nice to me. The shops confused me: why I always fell the price of one thing is cheap, but the total price is more expensive than that in my country. I guess maybe because of the taxes, they are so tricky. I admit that the some of the culture in United States is different from my country, and I don't addict it very much. I still consider that California is a nice place and very suitable for people living here.
I am glad to read that your impression of Calfornia has been pleasant. Is it nice to be with your father? Is your mother back home in China?
DeleteI came to the USA last year. When i came here, i was so shy. I do not know why, but did not feel big different. When i came here, my cousin was waiting for me. After that, we eat some food from Anaheim. Then, he took me to his apartment. In the second day, i feel a strong headache. I was little afraid from Mexican people because my family told me they are a criminals. After that, i came to the ALP; moreover, i learned a lot of American traditional that make me love American more. I hope my family come to the USA; i hope they can share my life here.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHA!! Mexican people are not criminals. :) I am happy to read that you like the culture up until now.
DeleteArriving California was my first trip outside Vietnam. America what I had imaged was partly different from what I experienced here.
ReplyDeleteMy first impression is traffic system in California which is different from what I knew about American films. I saw cars everywhere instead of pedestrians like in American films or motorbikes like in my country. Sitting in a car on the peak hours or traffic jam was terrible to me although I was familiar with traffic jam in my country. I was sick and uncomfortable. I thought that driving a motorbike was luckier. On the other hand, American transport system was modern; public transportation was really inconvenient for users. I thought that I could take a bus or Metro everywhere in the USA and it would be fast and cheap. In fact, it took me 3 hours from my place to CSUF and the price of ticket was not cheap. However, I am get used to that problem. Now, I am making friends with cars and public transportation. I have to make friend with them.
My second impression is Americans and life style here. All news I watched or read was almost about crimes, gun shooting... It made me scared on the first days in America. But I have changed my mind about that because I know it is just a small part of life. There are still many nice and friendly persons I can meet. They are willing to help me if necessary. Besides, the American lifestyle of American is also different from Vietnamese. On the Christmas day, American stayed at home and enjoy that holidays with their family. In my country, people went out to have party or travel. It is opposite style to American way.
The last thing I want to mention is the Universities system in the United State, especially CSUF. I impressed on facilities of the American university. They set up the best environment for students. I wish my country will have the system of universites like American, so i don't need to go abroad for studying. Anyways, i feel that I am lucky person because i have chance to come California and study here.
Haha! I am sorry, but I could not help but laugh as I read your paragraph. Thank you for your honesty! I am glad that you feel lucky to be studying here. :)
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ReplyDeleteIt is the first time for me to be in California specially and in USA generally. When I reached California, I was nervous, sad, upset, unhappy and uncomfortable for the first two weeks, for it is the first time for me to be away from home, family and friends. I did not know how to do things and where to go; moreover, I did not know anyone in California. I did not eat well because my mind was busy most of the time thinking about what I am going to do in the future; besides, I was thinking about my home and family. I used to eat very little; therefore, my weight decreased about 20 lbs.
ReplyDeleteAs a result of that, I started thinking of going back home on the closest break which is the Spring Break, but my parents told me that it is not a good idea, for traveling back home is so far and expensive, so I took out the idea from my mind. After two weeks of sadness, hunger, loneliness and despair, I settled down in an apartment in Anaheim. My impressions totally changed for the better after getting my apartment and starting my study. At the beginning, I thought these feelings will remain till I go back home, but I realized that it was a matter of time for adjusting and being comfortable.
Now, I am happy and enjoying my classes. I have met new friends, and my teachers are very kind and friendly. I hope to pass the ALP with high grades and to get the required score in IELTS or TOEFL in order to be able to join my master program.
Yay! I am glad to read that you are now content being here. Feeling homesickness is perfectly natural. :)
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