Life in Atlanta and the U.S.A.
Welcome to Atlanta! Atlanta is one of the top 10 largest cities in the United States and is the cultural hub of the south. Located along the MARTA line, Oglethorpe gives students access to the city’s lively entertainment, rich history, and diverse culture! Make sure you buy your Breeze Card from the Oglethorpe Bookstore so you can start exploring!
There is a lot to see and do in Atlanta, but this list encompasses some of the highlights: And so much more! There are festivals almost every weekend! For most lists of what to see in Atlanta, ask your local classmates, Oglethorpe staff or faculty, they are sure to have plenty of suggestions!
In the United States people of the same age or status are referred to by their first name. Professors, Deans, Presidents, etc., are often referred to by their title, for example “Dean Hall” or “President Schall.” If you do not know how to address someone, use these general rules: In the United States, people are very direct in conversation. It is not impolite to say no. If someone asks or offers you something, you can say “No, thank you.” Here are some examples of where it is appropriate to say no: In the United States, particularly in the south, it is very common for people to be friendly. Someone may be friendly to you but not wish to build a friendship, this is common. You may also have people you do not know smile or wave at you—it is customary to say “hello” or smile and wave back. Similarly, it is appropriate to approach another student and introduce yourself. “Hi, how are you?” is a common greeting in the United States, so much so people sometimes say it without waiting for a reply. If they do wait for a reply, it is customary to reply, “well” or “okay.” Sometimes, people in the Unites States only hang out with their group of friends. This group is often called a “Clique.” Sometimes when someone is with their clique they may not be friendly. This does not mean the person does not like you, they may just be preoccupied with their group of friends. If you are romantically interested in someone, it is appropriate to tell the person that you are interested and ask if they would like to have coffee or dinner sometime. If this person is not interested they will likely tell you, “No, thank you.” If they say this, do not ask again, being persistent is seen as rude and sometimes aggressive. Likewise, if someone asks you out on a date and you are not interested, it is polite and appropriate to say, “I am not interested, but thank you.” However, despite these principles, many inequalities still exist in the United States. You may hear people make negative comments about other groups. You may even experience discrimination because you are an international student. If this happens to you and you wish to talk about it, talk to a counselor from the Counseling Center or someone from the International Student Services Office. Some international students are surprised to hear men and women say they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. There is a growing community of Americans who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender and do not believe that it is necessary to keep this a secret. This community has become more visible and accepted, and people who are part of this population form a respected part of U.S. society. You will most likely have a professor, classmate, roommate, or friend who is gay. Remember to treat the people you meet with the same respect and openness that you would want to be treated with. Holidays in America There are many different holidays** in the United States. Some will be University holidays as well, but others will not. University Holidays can be found on the Academic Calendar or each semester as well as on your syllabi for classes. **Please note, the residence halls close for the Winter Break from right before Christmas until after New Year’s Day; make sure you check with Residence Life for the exact dates and determine an alternative place to stay. In addition to the residence halls, the University will also be closed for approximately 2 weeks of the Winter Break. Check the Residence Life website for more details. The most widely celebrated ones are: **We still have classes on some of these holidays. To know which days you will not have class, check your course syllabus.Weather in Atlanta
Places to Visit in Atlanta
Names
Communication
Friends
Diversity
Many people in the United States like to think that all people are equal—race, color, religion, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexual orientation are unimportant to our value as human beings. For this reason, racist and sexist jokes and comments are not tolerated in many social and business settings.
Holidays In America