Friendship Partners

Building bridges for friendship and cultural exchange

The rewards of participating in a community program with American students and families are many, from discovering new and valuable friendships to expanding your knowledge of a different culture. By educating Americans about your country, you will contribute to greater understanding among cultures.

In return, your efforts may increase the prospects for peaceful relations among nations.

Benefits of Having a Friendship Partner

❖ Adjusting to the Augusta Community. Your Friendship Partner will be familiar with Augusta and can serve as an excellent resource to acquaint you with many aspects of life including shopping, social activities, local attractions, and entertainment.
❖ Sharing Your Culture. Your Friendship Partner will be interested in learning about your home country and life, as well as sharing information about southern American  culture. This will be an excellent opportunity for establishing respect and understanding across cultures.
❖ Deepening Your Cultural Immersion. Becoming part of the community at large will deepen your experience studying in the US as a whole. The US is a diverse country with people from many different backgrounds. This is your chance to explore that diversity and learn more about American culture and our way of life in the American South!
❖ Strengthening Your Language Skills. You will have an opportunity to expand your proficiency of American English in a meaningful way.
❖ Having fun!

Activities with your Friendship Partner

• Chats by phone, FaceTime, text, or Skype
• Emails
• Attending events together
• Visiting your Friendship Partner’s home to observe and participate in everyday family life
• Attending birthday and/or holiday celebrations together
• Running daily errands together (such as shopping, post office, cooking)
• And many, many more!!

These activities provide opportunities to learn about the American way of life through personal experience. Be sure to read the information in this booklet before meeting with your Friendship Partner. This should be a no-pressure relationship between you (the student) and the Friendship Partner (community member). If at any time you feel uncomfortable in your relationship, please let the Friendship Partner know so that you can talk through the situation and address your concerns. 

We are sure that having a Friendship Partner will be a wonderful experience for you. Please do not be afraid to tell your partner if you do not understand something they say. Your Friendship Partner wants your stay in the US to be enjoyable and comfortable. They care about your well-being and want to have cultural exchange, but they might not realize or understand that there are things you find uncomfortable discussing or doing because of cultural reasons. You do not have to do anything that conflicts with your morals. If you do not have time to meet with your Friendship Partner for a suggested meeting or event, it is acceptable to tell them. Don’t feel pressured at any time. Also, show appreciation towards your Friendship Partner by asking them to attend a cultural event with you!

What Not to Expect

Your Friendship Partner is here to connect you to the Augusta community, but there are many services they cannot offer. Do not expect your Friendship Partner to provide you with:

• Academic advice
• Immigration advice
• Medical advice
• Financial advice
• Employment advice
• Religious instruction
• Car rides all over town

You may contact the Link office () if you have immediate needs or concerns.

Understanding and Getting Along with Americans

Friendships

Americans are usually very “friendly” and very open when you meet them. It can take a long time, however, for a true “friendship” (close relationship) to develop. In the US, people enjoy doing things together and exchanging ideas. This can lead to friendship. However, “friends” may not become deeply involved with each other’s personal affairs or spend a great deal of time together. In their conversations, Americans often try to be relatively direct. They like to talk fairly openly about their families, jobs, and feelings.

Generally, Americans are interested in discussions about sports, jobs, hobbies, music, movies, etc. They are curious about how people live in other parts of the world and are willing to talk about their own way of life. You do not have to discuss any subject that is uncomfortable to you (e.g., politics or religion). Even the most basic information about your home life will be of interest to your friend.

Do not be surprised if your Friendship Partner does not know a lot about your culture. You are here to inform them! You can:

• Share photographs from home
• Share a book from your country
• Explain your national holidays
• Discuss current events in your country
• Introduce your Friendship Partner to your friends
• Teach them how to cook your favorite food

Customs and Courtesies

Americans, like all people, have unique social customs. A few are discussed below, but it is impossible to list them all. By observing your American Friendship Partner and asking questions, you can learn about southern American customs and courtesies.

General Facts About Southern American Culture

The nuclear family (parents and children) is the most common type in America. Average family size is 4 members. Americans move a lot (at least once every five years), so they have to initiate and develop new friendships quickly.

Most families in the south live in individual homes that they either rent or own. Most homes have internet and cable or satellite TV.

Most families own at least one automobile and often two or three (public transportation is not the best in Augusta).

American education encourages a high degree of individual participation and independent study. School is mandatory until the age of 16. Over half of American students graduate from high school.

Breakfast usually consists of cereal, pancakes, toast, bacon/ham, eggs, milk, juice, or coffee. A light lunch of a sandwich, salad, soup, or microwave meal is common. The main and largest meal is dinner, which is eaten between 5 and 7pm.

The average business day is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Stores do not close during lunch. Stores have shorter hours on the weekends (generally 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.), and many will close on Sundays or not open until noon.

Greetings

Americans are generally informal people. A handshake, a smile, and “Hello” are the most common forms of greeting. Often people call each other by their first name. Ask your Friendship Partner what name they would like you to use, and let them know what you would like to be called.

Americans like personal space and generally stand a couple of feet from each other when talking.

Visiting

Punctuality is a major part of American culture. It is polite to arrive on time when you have been invited to go somewhere or meet your Friendship Partner somewhere. If you are invited to someone’s home, arrive within five to ten minutes of that time. Overall, in America, being late is disrespectful.

When arriving at your Friendship Partner’s home, you will likely be greeted with a “hello” and a handshake or a hug and told to make yourself at home. This means you can relax and not worry about being formal. You are normally not expected to bring a gift when visiting (but if your Friendship Partner is cooking dinner for you, ask politely whether you can bring something for the meal). If your Friendship Partner invites you to stay overnight, it is acceptable to bring a small gift such as flowers. If you are invited to stay for a longer period of time, it is polite to make your own bed and volunteer to help with other family responsibilities. You might be asked what you think are too many personal questions. Your Friendship Partner is not trying to be rude—this is how Americans get to know one another! Your partner is probably just trying to find out what interests or viewpoints they have in common with you.

Smoking

Most Americans do not smoke indoors. Ask your Friendship Partner’s permission before smoking. If your partner does not want you to smoke inside the house, ask to excuse yourself for a few minutes to go outside to smoke.

Pets

Many Americans have pets and allow their dogs and cats into all rooms of the house and on the furniture. If pets make you uncomfortable, or if you have allergies, tell your Friendship Partner.

Dining

When you accept a dinner invitation, tell your Friendship Partner if you have any dietary restrictions due to religious practices or allergies. Your Friendship Partner wants you to be able to eat everything and enjoy your meal! In some American homes, people drink a cocktail (mixed alcoholic drink), beer, or other beverage before dinner. It is fine not to accept an alcoholic drink. You can always ask for juice, tea, water, or soda instead.

The evening meal (“supper” or “dinner”) is the main meal of the day, served between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. This is a time for family to come together and talk about their day.

Food can be served in several ways: “family style” by passing around the serving dishes from one to another at the table; “buffet style” where serving dishes are lined up on a separate table and guests serve themselves; or “serving style” where your Friendship Partner will ask for your plate or walk around and serve you the food. Wait until everyone has been served before you begin eating. If someone offers you food that you do not like, you do not have to eat it. Politely say “no thank you.” In general, Americans are not offended by a simple explanation: just always be polite and show your appreciation.

It is generally considered rude to place your elbows on the table while eating. Keep the hand you are not using on your lap. When you have finished your meal, place your utensils on your plate.

Appropriate clothing for dinner will vary with the host and occasion. Ask your Friendship Partner beforehand whether the dinner will be formal or casual. Due to the multicultural nature of American society, it is generally acceptable to dress anyway you please as long as you have a neat and clean appearance.

Conversation Topics

Avoid asking your Friendship Partner about his/her age, weight, salary (amount of money earned from employment), and family problems.

Southern Americans like to give out compliments, and this is considered good manners. Your Friendship Partner may compliment you on your appearance, clothes, achievements, possessions, children, grades, or many other things. Don’t be embarrassed or deny the compliment; just smile and say “thank you.”

Try not to speak your home language in the presence of your Friendship Partner if they do not understand your language. It is fine to explain or clarify if you do not understand what is being said in English.

Don’t be afraid to use your English skills! It is a great way to practice, and your Friendship Partner will want to help you out.