By Saioa San Francisco
The fall semester begins at Casper College, and the calm campus in Wyoming becomes a swarm of activity as students from all over the United States and the world stream into the dorms, eager to start a new chapter in their lives.
Freshman international students are among these newcomers.
For many, this starts a transforming journey, academic, social, and cultural. However, their initial impression frequently includes a cultural surprise: the significant contrasts in how American and overseas students handle settling in.
Csenge Szomszed, an international student from Hungary at Casper College, explained, “I was surprised when I saw Americans moving in; when I came here, I was trying to keep it simple and just bring necessary stuff like clothes and bedding.” Differences when moving into an American college coming from a European country can be very noticeable and strange at first. Some people tend to experience culture shock during the first month, and some never get used to it.
“I have been living in dorms since I was 13. In Hungary, when you move into a dorm, you just bring bed sheets or pillows, but you would never think about bringing a whole fridge or microwave like I´ve seen Americans do.” Szomszed explained
This disparity is typical among many overseas students. While American students generally bring a variety of goods to make their dorm rooms seem more like home, international students frequently come with only the necessities. Travel practicalities, customs regulations, and cultural conventions around minimalism frequently demand they carry less.
“I would have never thought about having a TV or a couch in my room, but when I saw other Americans’ rooms, I got jealous, and I started to think about decorating my room,” Szomszed said.
This cultural difference is indicative of larger lifestyle preferences. In many places of the world, college life is more about function than luxury. On the other hand, American pupils value comfort, individualism, and convenience. Decorating a dorm room is a rite of passage for them, an expression of their individuality, and a means of creating a home away from home.
The variance in movement techniques reflects underlying cultural beliefs. Many European countries have little space in their dorms. In contrast, American consumer culture pushes students to equip themselves with all of the comforts of home, even if it means carrying a car full of possessions.
Even just having a car can make a major impact on how internationals deal with their life here in America. Most people in Europe don’t depend on cars to get to places. In contrast, here in America, especially in Casper, it is essential to have a car.
“I never realized how much I would miss having a car until I arrived.” Hedy Bechar, an international student from France at Casper College, said, “In France, I could walk or take public transport everywhere, but in America, it seems like you need a car for everything. Even going to the grocery store feels like a challenge without one.”
Cultural differences go beyond the relocation process. International students may meet different practices and social expectations, which influence their experience. Meal times, classroom involvement, and even informal greetings differ significantly from what they are accustomed to at home. Food is a big topic among international students.
“American food is so different from what I’m used to,” Bechar said, “In France, meals are smaller, fresher, and more focused on quality. Here, everything is bigger—huge portions, lots of fast food, and way more processed stuff.”
Despite the hurdles, many international students view cultural differences as a learning opportunity. The variety of experiences—whether decorating a dorm room or participating in class discussions. It enriches the campus environment, encouraging mutual understanding and global knowledge.
“The whole experience has been eye-opening, I’ve learned so much about American culture just by living here, and I would recommend any international students to go through this experience at least once in their lives. You grow so much as a student and individual.” Szomszed said.
Colleges continue to welcome students from all over the world, and the diversity of cultures, customs, and opinions improves the campus community. Being accepting of international students will transcend cultural gaps, forge lifetime friendships, and foster a genuinely global learning environment.
The process of settling in for international students may differ, but it is just as significant since they bring not just academic objectives but also a rich cultural background that contributes to the complex tapestry of college life in America.