On Friday, I led an International Discussion Forum on Randy’s Last Lecture at U. of Pennsylvania, sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Penn Graduate Christian Fellowship, and Intercultural Friends. Note: Discussion questions posted here in PDF.
Afterward, there was an opportunity for participants to offer suggestions for future topics. The international students in my discussion group desired an introduction to the practical elements of navigating American culture, one significant area being the management of money while studying in the U.S.
If you have suggestions of web resources/links on this topic or some helpful tips, please post them here. To get us started below are some excellent resources from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s International Student Ministry:
- Travel
- Religion in the US
- Holidays. Related: American Holidays available here (scroll to the bottom of the page).
- American Hospitality/Friendship
- The U Curve is a useful tool to help navigate the culture shock and swings that come from leaving one culture and entering another.
- Devotionals and booklets for returning home.
Note:  Two articles for Americans as they seek to be welcoming to international scholars: Being Culturally Sensitive and Welcoming internationals to your university.
Update: 8/22/2014 (11:40 am, 5:20 pm)
About the author:
Tom enjoys daily conversations regarding living out the Biblical Story with his wife Theresa and their four girls, around the block, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (where he teaches adult electives and co-leads a small group), among healthcare professionals as the Northeast Regional Director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), and in higher ed as a volunteer with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). For a number of years, the Christian Medical Society / CMDA at Penn State College of Medicine was the hub of his ministry with CMDA. Note: Tom served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA for 20+ years, including 6+ years as the Associate Director of ESN. He has written for the ESN blog from its launch in August 2008. He has studied Biology (B.S.), Higher Education (M.A.), Spiritual Direction (Certificate), Spiritual Formation (M.A.R.), Ministry to Emerging Generations (D.Min.). To God be the glory!