Suggestions for Students

English Classes: You have studied English for several years, yet the opportunities for you to use your English have been limited. During your time at Pitzer College, we expect you to use your English constantly to inform others about yourself, your school, family, and country; to gather as much information as possible about the U.S.; and to establish lasting relationships with the members of your host family, teachers, and discussion leaders. You will be asked to participate very actively in class discussions. In fact, your discussions will form the major content of the classes. You will often be requested to do interviews and make cultural observations. You will then report this information in your next class.

Your instructors will expect you to volunteer readily the information you have gathered. You will be concentrating on speaking fluently and informally with good pronunciation. Don't be surprised if your instructor does not have you do traditional drills and exercises. Our materials and methods focus on having you actively use your English in conjunction with every experience you will have as part of this program. Remember, you will gain as much as you are willing to give. Be active. Speak up. Speak out and use only English in class.

Working Things Out: There may be times when you feel troubled by an action that a family member has taken. It is important for you to be able to communicate your feelings to your host family. The most important thing to remember is to ask questions when you don't understand something. If someone is speaking too quickly, it is fine to ask them to slow down or to repeat. If someone says something that is unclear, do not hesitate to let the person know that you do not understand. It is important for you to understand others and for you to be understood.

It is also important that you try not to judge people immediately by their actions. Misunderstandings can easily occur, and it is helpful to reserve judgment. Try to clear up misunderstandings by asking questions that will provide additional information to help you understand more about the situation. Please talk to the College staff if you need assistance communicating with your host family.

Table Manners: If you are offered some food you think you may not like, please make an attempt to try it, but if you still don't like it, it is better to inform your host family. If you don't say something, you might have to eat the same food many times. Avoid this type of embarrassment by telling your host family what food you don't like very much. When food is delicious and you like it, or you want some more, please say so. If you don't say anything, the host family will not know what you like and don't like. Americans usually eat and talk at the dinner table. Please take time to eat and engage in conversation with your family, too.

The food in this country may be very different from the food that you are accustomed to. If you become dissatisfied with the meals that you are eating at home, we encourage you to take an active role in trying to improve the situation. One option may be to volunteer to cook a meal for your family. This will expose your family to a type of food that you like as well as satisfying your own taste buds. Your host family is also open to suggestions for items to purchase from the grocery store. If there are particular foods that you enjoy and you would like to have them in the house, please let your host family know.

At meal times, don't just sit down and be waited upon. Try to help the host mother and father with the preparations. Offer to help prepare the food or set the table. After the meal offer to clear the table and help wash the dishes.

Some families observe religious practices such as saying a prayer before dinner. Please be observant and join in silence.

Bathroom: In the United States, the bathroom has a toilet, shower/bath tub and sink. Some families have just one bathroom for all members. Be sure not to use the bathroom for a long period of time (no more than 15 minutes). It will inconvenience other members of the family, especially in the morning. Usually, American families leave the bathroom door open when no one is inside, as a signal that the room is not in use.

Find out your family’s rules for keeping the bathroom neat and clean. Also, ask your family if you need help operating the shower. Each one is different and if there is a shower curtain, please be sure to keep it inside the tub to prevent getting water on the bathroom floor. Please do not waste water, as we have a drought in California. Limit your shower to no more than 10 minutes.

Passport and Your Valuables: Your passport is the most important identification during your stay in the United States. Please take extra care to keep it safe. Be sure to copy your passport number and issue date and have these with you always. You need this information in case you need another passport. Do not carry large sums of cash with you and always be careful with your belongings when traveling.

Be aware of the possibility of pick pocketing, theft from parked cars, and purse snatching. Most reported thefts occur in crowded urban areas. When carried, shoulder bags should be held tightly under the arm with the clasp facing the body. Keep extra cash, credit cards and personal documents separately. Photocopies of passports, student visas, financial documents (Travelers' Checks, etc.) should be carried separately from those items.