International students at UC Davis share their journeys of adapting to new social norms, finding a sense of community
By JALAN TEHRANIFAR — features@theaggie.org
For many international students, attending UC Davis is more than just an academic pursuit — it is a transformative cultural experience. Adjusting to life in a new country comes with unique challenges, from navigating social norms to understanding different perspectives on communication, hospitality and independence. While each student’s journey is different, common themes of culture shock, adaptation and personal growth tend to emerge.
Shreya Rupani, a fourth-year sociology and communications double major, is an ethnically Indian student who came to UC Davis from Thailand. Growing up in Bangkok, she was drawn to UC Davis for its strong academic programs and tight-knit community.
With a passion for marketing and brand management, Rupani discussed her hopes to work in the fashion and beauty industry after graduation, combining her creativity with her understanding of human behavior and media.
“I chose UC Davis because of its strong academic programs and diverse community,” Rupani said. “I also chose it because of its small-town feel. Coming from one of the biggest cities in the world, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience a true college experience.”
While Rupani knew that UC Davis would be very different from Bangkok, she was still surprised by just how much of a contrast it presented. The shift from an urban environment to a smaller, student-focused town challenged her to adjust to a new way of life.
“I knew it was a college town, but I didn’t realize just how quiet it could be,” Rupani said. “In contrast to Bangkok, where there’s always something happening, Davis has a much slower pace of life. One major cultural difference is how direct Americans are. People here are more vocal about their opinions, while in Thai culture, there’s a stronger emphasis on politeness and indirect communication.”
Having traveled extensively, Rupani was already familiar with Western culture, but certain aspects of American life still stood out.
“I travel pretty frequently and am already familiar with Western culture, because I went to a private American Christian school, so I didn’t experience extreme culture shock,” Rupani said. “Some things did stand out — like how independent everyone is compared to back home. Also, the drinking culture here is different. Such a strong tipping culture is also a construct that was very odd to me, it isn’t something I have experienced anywhere else in the world.”
As she prepares for graduation, Rupani reflects on how her time at UC Davis has shaped her both academically and personally. The experience has pushed her to step outside of her comfort zone, adapt to new cultural norms and grow in confidence. She encourages other international students to take advantage of the opportunities available and embrace the challenges of studying abroad.
“Find a community that makes you feel at home,” Rupani said. “UC Davis has a lot of opportunities, but you have to put yourself out there to take advantage of them. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s academic, career-related or personal, there are plenty of resources available.”
Sultan Osman, a third-year managerial economics and mechanical engineering double major, is an Egyptian and Sudanese student. Initially attending UC Davis because it was the only United States university to offer admission, he plans to make the most of his education in future endeavours.
“I’m hoping to use my degree to start my own company,” Osman said. “I haven’t figured out the logistics of my future business, but I’m hoping to implement what I have studied at UC Davis.”
For Osman, adjusting to life in Davis came with unexpected challenges. While he had seen depictions of American college life in movies — often filled with parties and social events — the reality was quite different. The rigorous academic culture and strong emphasis on individual achievement stood out to him the most.
“I definitely experienced culture shock, the biggest one was people’s hard work ethic in college,” Osman said. “I [had] never been to the United States, I only knew what I saw from movies about crazy college parties.”
Beyond academics, Osman also noticed a significant difference in social dynamics between Egypt and the U.S. Having grown up in a culture where hospitality and communal ties are deeply ingrained, he found American interactions to be more independent and less centered around close-knit communities.
“The biggest cultural difference is that people in Egypt are much more welcoming to strangers because it’s much more community-oriented,” Osman said. “I guess what I’m saying is that there is a stronger sense of community there. Here, a stranger could be anyone.”
Arya Dehghani, a fourth-year aerospace engineering major, is ethnically Persian but grew up in the United Kingdom. Although he had spent a few years in the United States before attending UC Davis, Dehghani believes that living on his own and navigating university life gave him his first true American experience.
With a strong passion for engineering, Dehghani saw UC Davis as an opportunity to further his technical knowledge while immersing himself in a new cultural environment.
“I came to UC Davis because I wanted to continue to live in America for college, and this school was a good engineering choice,” Dehghani said. “I plan on using my degree for aerodynamic advancement in commercial supersonic flight, automotive aero research and rocketry.”
While having some familiarity with American life, certain aspects of the transition still caught Dehghani off guard. The differences in lifestyle and social norms, particularly in how people interact and communicate, became evident to him early on — topics that were discussed openly in his home country sometimes required more careful wording in American settings.
Despite these initial adjustments, he found comfort in a tight-knit community of Middle Eastern students, which helped him feel more at home.
“I did experience culture shock — it was not walkable, whereas in Europe you walk everywhere,” Dehghani said. “Also, people took offense to a much broader spectrum of things which were said. […] As for Davis, it was pretty much what I expected, but I found my own community of Middle Easterns here.”
Another cultural contrast Dehghani observed was in attitudes toward money and hospitality. In his upbringing, generosity and shared financial responsibility were common, but in the U.S., he noticed a more individualistic approach to spending.
“In American culture, people are quite stingy with money, I feel,” Dehghani said. “For example, in my home country we fight to pay the bill, and when we invite someone to our home we do our best to take care of them, whereas in the U.S., hospitality and financial kindness are defined very differently.”
Despite these differences, Dehghani appreciates the connections he has made at UC Davis, both professionally and personally. His time at the university has broadened his perspective and given him the chance to interact with individuals from all walks of life.
“UC Davis has connected me with people who I will be able to work with in the future professionally but also many individuals who l consider incredible friends,” Dehghani said. “I was also exposed to individuals from a wide range of social-economic backgrounds and areas, so I feel that I have learned more about American culture here.”
The international student experience at UC Davis is challenging, as students are not only adjusting to college life but an entirely new environment as well. While culture shock and social differences have been challenging, Rupani, Osman and Dehghani each found ways to navigate their new environment, whether it’s through building communities at Davis or adjusting to new norms.
