Cultural Differences

The language barrier and living as a foreigner in a strange city will present challenges.  Keep in mind how you as a student from a U.S. college appear to local citizens. Notice differences in the behavior of students of your gender and age. Our students do not go abroad deliberately indifferent to local sensibilities. However, some customs and attitudes differ from ours, and it is possible to offend someone unintentionally.

On the other hand, you could sometimes be offended by the behavior and comments made by those around you just as well. Be aware that prejudices which exist in U.S. culture (against African-Americans; against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals; against Asians; against Jews, etc.) may be found in your host culture as well.