Welcome to America
IntroductionWhen people go to America for the first time, they may think they know it well due to American television and movies. But finalizing projects with American co-workers and understanding the subtleties of American business culture can be daunting to the newcomer. How do I talk with an American boss? How do I interact with an American female co-worker? How do I discuss things with the all-important client? The "Welcome to America" seminar will teach these vital skills which must be learned in order to work efficiently.
Objective
The objective of this one day seminar is to learn the main things you will need to succeed in America, e.g. how to understand the American corporate mentality, what you need to succeed at your job in America, and how to feel at home in social situations.
Course Outline:
- Welcome to America :
- Introduction of the facilitators and participants.
- What do you think America is like?
- What do you want to know about America?
- Stereotypes :
- How do we stereotypes?
- How to deal with stereotyping in business.
- Negative and Positive traits.
- Stereotypes of minority Americans and other foreigners.
- You're not called an Indian until you leave India.
- FAQ on the USA :
- Geography: Understanding the regions of the USA.
- History and Literature: A short history for a big country.
- Government: Democracy and the Free-Enterprise System.
- The Airport and the Airplane :
- How to survive in an international airport.
- Airplane Etiquette.
- Practicing the "Ten Basic Tips on Overseas Travel."
- ABC: American Business Communication
- Introducing yourself with confidence in the USA office.
- 12 most important words to know in Business English.
- Speaking with your boss, colleagues, support staff, clients, and people of the opposite sex.
- Solving the mystery between being formal and informal with Americans.
- The Secrets of 'Americanese' or the K.I.S.S. principle :
- Some basic differences between Indian English and American English.
- American Business Jargon.
- Why you need to understand baseball.
- Differences between Indian and American Education :
- How Americans learn new ideas.
- Why Indians are better at certain things and Americans are better at other things.
- How to learn like an American at the office.
- As a guest in an American home :
- How to talk to Americans without a fake American accent.
- What Americans want to know about you.
- What Americans don't understand about India.
- Dealing with other Indians in America.
- Writing E-mails :
- E-mails as technical documents.
- Netiquette.
- Responding to difficult emails.
- What to consider before you press the Send button.
- Eating at an American restaurant :
- How to deal with the waiter.
- How to ask for vegetarian food.
- Know what fork to use and when you can use your hands.
- Understanding American sports :
- Baseball: an offshoot of cricket?
- How American football has nothing to do with football.
- The secrets of basketball.
- How to look cool :
- How to dress western and not look like a FOB.
- Dressing for success for women.
- Personal hygiene
- If you can't bring your mother/wife/sister :
- How to wash clothes and iron.
- Getting ready to cook, or at least make a cup of tea.
- How to go to the "grocery store."
- Driving in America :
- Following directions the American way.
- The difference between driving in America and driving in India.
- Taking the driver's test.
- Review: So what do you think of America now? :
- How do you need to prepare?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
- Recommended reading.
Methodology
We will take you to America before you ever get there so that you will be fully prepared. We will take you to an American restaurant, and then to the office. We'll show you how to feel at ease in basic social and business situations. You will learn how to express yourself in a way that Americans will understand. You will also learn how to understand what they are saying, going beyond the words into an understanding of the American mentality.