Have you ever wondered how a foreigner would look at your country? Have you ever wondered how you would look at another country? I hadn’t, until I relocated to the U.S.A . Now, everyday is a new experience for me. What you may view as mundane or annoying or may not view at all, is a fascination for me. I’m from India, all the way to the east. The land of the snake charmers and royal elephants—not.

Things work rather differently here. For instance traffic, have you ever wondered how things would feel if all the vehicles were driving on the wrong side of the road? It would feel weird right? India has a right hand driver’s lane. So it’s a world of a difference for a “fresh-off-the-boat,” which is what they call people like myself, and is utterly confused.

I got here before school started, and the only people who were around then were international students, the majority being grad students. Many of which were people from India. So if you went to school during summer, you would see a bunch of people standing at a place with a map in hand looking disoriented. They don’t know who to ask or where to go. Most of the time the kind people of this country have thankfully lent us a helping hand, which was a great relief.

When I went to create a bank account here the tellers were the nicest and most hepful people. We got freebies and a ride back home, because it was too sunny and hot to walk back. This hospitality was certainly new to me.

As you all know, the heat this summer was unbearable, especially for someone not used to this climate. The part of India I come from is a low temperature area. So I’ve been downing Orange juices and sodas by the gallon.

Overall, I’ve been exploring this place and doing all the things that are worth doing, exactly like all international students. And what really struck me is how polite and nice the people are here. They’ve made us foreigners feel totally at home.

My grad school at N.C . State started off with a bang. With all the awesome welcome parties and orientations, yeah we go through it too, I now know my classes aren’t going to be a breeze, but with the already experienced hospitality I’m sure I’ll get through them with a little help from my new found friends.