Student Stories

Here’s Why Indian Students Should Get Rid of This Attitude to Survive in America

indian students in usa attitude

Hey, I am back with my plate of story and experience. I must say USA is amazing.

Here’s my previous article –  This is How I Spent My Day 1 and 2 as New Student in America

Here’s why.

  • It teaches you to fight for yourself.
  • It gives you an opportunity to do something unique or at least try to attempt one.
  • People are so humble over here.

Now, I can realize that why Raghu has been so humble all the way 🙂 for so many years now. I feel there is positive vibe in the air. Always.

Even if someone does something wrong or tries to malign you, you somehow are able to collect yourself and cope up with the situation.

Real Example :

Back bitching is a very common thing among Indians here. I came to know about stuff about me that people are saying behind my back. It did hurt me for 15 seconds, but since I know I am here for something else, the ambiance of the place gives me a push to be positive and also “Let it be” attitude.

I would say that Americans are far better than us (Indians) in every way. I know it’s a controversial statement, but this is how it is.

This is the hard reality we need to admit that we fellow Indians (most of us) have got this selfishness and “me first” attitude.

In these two months I have seen a plethora of things and been through numerous situations in life.

Americans have been my best buddies so far. They never expected anything from me.

I can see that majority of my fellow Indians are simply opportunist.

Moreover, there have been a number of situations when I was subjected to partiality or ignorance by my fellow Indian friends simply because I am not from the same native place (India is a diverse country).

Here the respect for Americans grow even more because they are accepting you even you are from an entirely different country.

I could have easily got distraught by these kind of stuff, but something is there in the air of the United States. It somehow gives you a push or bounce to face the difficulties.

What I have noticed in Indians here so far is the fact that they forget the very reason for being here.

For them, the only first week is the honeymoon period and after that they literally start yelling and cynical either because of not getting an assistantship or not being able to adjust with fellow room mates.

Thankfully, I want my whole US stay to be a honeymoon period.

I have been through very tough times for that matter and my journey to study in America wasn’t an easy one, but I always realize the reason for me being here.

I know that I am here for a reason.  Why would I want to lose all these just for a small fiddle or say difference of opinion.

I get frustrated telling people that “Hey, get out of these stereotypical Indian attitudes. Why should we crib for small things. We need to make an effort to bring a change in our lives”.

I seriously want to tell my fellow Indian friends about this small life and we all have done so much of hard work to be here then why to lose our dignity and be egoistic.

Learn to Adjust

The biggest lesson USA is going to teach you my friends is “adjustment“.

You have to get adjusted to everything here in U.S.A.

If you can’t adjust to severe situations, America will not be your cup of tea.

Literally, I have seen people over here saying that they have never worked in their whole lives, why should they do now.

My only advice to such people is that you haven’t been to US or any other foreign place for that matter even, it doesn’t mean you won’t go there.

I mean seriously when you are coming to US, you must have a sense of maturity and you should be willing to accept whatever comes to your way.

I have seen people here running from their responsibilities.

How can one come to a place which is totally self dependent and expect someone else to do your work?

Grow up people. You should have known before coming here that you will have to cook, do the dishes, work on campus, clean the house, etc.

Most of us never did any of these at home so how can you even think of giving this excuse that “I don’t know” instead say ” I don’t want to”.

I was mentally prepared for all these small things.

In fact, I am living with friends who know Hindi very well (my native language) but prefer to speak in their native language (some Indian language) all the time irrespective of me being there. This is called adjustment and I am literally ok with it.

Thanks to Happy Schools. I was very well aware of all possible contingencies before coming to US and hence, I am more than happy.

Lack of Maturity

Students here behave lack maturity at times. But, it’s not their fault.

90% of people are here because either their friend was studying here or their consultancy chose this university.

How would you expect a person to behave who hasn’t faced any of the difficulties or faced any hard time.

USA is just a “profit/loss” statement for them.

I know this attitude will change eventually.

At present, they are straightaway out of their comfort zones at home so really don’t know how to approach life.

Your Comments

What do you think about this experience and survival guide?

Is it controversial for an Indian student who have just spent 2 months to blame other students and take sides?

Post your thoughts, questions in the comments section.

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23 Comments

  1. with international students, its a dog eat dog world. large number of students + small number of on campus jobs/Scholarships = what do you expect?

  2. I came here Just for the comments – As usual one guy Disagrees with the article , Raghu and everybody trash him mercilessly. Way to go HSB ! Controversy + Traffic + Unapologetic remarks = HSB nowadays . Oh yeah! please don’t remind me to leave , I’m anyways hitting unsubscribe .

  3. I agree with the statement “Other Indian Students” won’t help you.
    Their self-centeredness shoots up 2x times when they live here.
    I would advise people to join a club to survive socially and make lifelong friends.

  4. Hey Piyush you are absolutely right. I am also living in U.K. and I found Indian people are complaining about food, things, cost etc. But first of all if you are here then it is your choice to live here and if you are unhappy, you can go back. we should mature and adjustable for these things. In my opinion they are far better in every aspect of life than we and this is hard truth which we have to accept.

  5. Thanks for writing this article.. and i thought we the INDIAN’S are the most intelligent and caring people on the globe.. i guess its not like that. thanks for showing me true colors of indan’s.

  6. Very thought provoking indeed. But then, Have to agree with Rakesh to a certain language. Hindi is not mother tongue to majority of Indians and the majority of SOME INDIAN LANGUAGE are entitled to speak in their own language.

  7. Perfect… Perfect. Many Indians dont have the maturity they ought to have, when they leaving for US or for that matter to any other country. The main reason being they are spoon feed all the time. Also going to US, is perceived as a show-off rather than a responsibility. But, I must admit that, guys who leave to US after working for atleast 2 years, can cope with things, This is because many of the have spent their time some other city away from their home and having done their work by themselves!

  8. I agree with you. I have seen many Indians backbiting and being your friend only when they need some help from you. They are not there when you need help from you.

  9. Good article. But I live in a university where there are not many Indians. I didn’t know about all these back biting and stuff. There are so many things we have to learn here in the US. One thing I found about people here is that they have this awesome attitude, “we earn to have fun”. They plan things so well. Life is an awesome learning experience. We will learn new things everyday. I had a feeling that your article was a bit harsh on Indians. But again I really don’t know a lot about it. Thanks for sharing.

  10. You may be Right or May be not. The first thing i would like to suggest you is to stop using the word INDIANS. I guess you have been to US just after completing your undergrad. Your statement is like , you came across every person born in India. In reality you did not right? You might have been through a very unsizeable amount of desi’s ,well this doesnt mean that you were able to judge your fellow citizens both in USA and back in India. I remember you mentioned that you are now being positive, well I wouldn’t expect this kind of post from a person who is positive. Please stop being judgemental and have fun.

      1. Haha I dont Think so. πŸ˜› I have been around this blog for almost two and half years now. And this is my third or fourth comment. I am just trying to suggest the person to be emotionally strong. There is a good side and bad side for every person. It solely depends on the individual. What if in future the person in this post got help, which might be life saving from a fellow Indian? On that day the person may regret making this post. I am Suggesting to be cautious before making such statements in a place like this. Because these words can not be taken back even if they regret those in the future.

        1. Rakesh,

          Being positive and ignoring small things was the reason for me to write this article in the first place. I feel bad that you have taken it in a wrong light. I never disowned “All” the Indians or in fact anyone. We are going hand in hand. It is meant for people who are new here just like me. What I tried to convey is that I didnt get disheartened after facing some troubles and tried to get along with everyone. For that matter, I was in a hostel for 4 years back in India and I am good with people, don’t interfere with their lives or never try to dominate anyone. I always believe in adjustment. And hey, I am having lots of fun here (partying almost daily) irrespective of adjustments and stuff. I am not cribbing for anything, just wanted to put the light on some situations that new students will eventually get into. Cheers!

        2. Rakesh,

          Being positive and ignoring small things was the reason for me to write this article in the first place. I feel bad that you have taken it in a wrong light. I never disowned “All” the Indians or in fact anyone. We are going hand in hand. It is meant for people who are new here just like me. What I tried to convey is that I didnt get disheartened after facing some troubles and tried to get along with everyone. For that matter, I was in a hostel for 4 years back in India and I am good with people, don’t interfere with their lives or never try to dominate anyone. I always believe in adjustment. And hey, I am having lots of fun here (partying almost daily) irrespective of adjustments and stuff. I am not cribbing for anything, just wanted to put the light on some situations that new students will eventually get into. Cheers!

    1. Sometimes I have found fellow Indians to be more understanding and helpful. I would agree with rakesh and say that you give more time and just have fun. We all have a long way to go.

    2. Hi Rakesh,

      I am sorry if you got offended in any sense. I am not judging anyone my friend. When I say “fellow Indians”,I am simply generalizing the term. I seriously wanted to share my experience so that the potential candidates coming over here do no expect a royal treatment in the first place from anyone. Before coming here, they should be knowing that you will have to face hardships. I have made very good friends too. I just wanted to showcase a bigger picture. And I seriously don’t mind it because everyone might have their own struggle so who am I to expect (from most of the people). Bottom line is that this article/experience is not playing any blame game, it’s just trying to show how some people react or behave after coming over here. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT WHOLE INDIAN COMMUNITY, IT’S ABOUT NEW INDIAN STUDENTS TO US!

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