Adjusting to a New Culture as an Expat in the US: A Guide for a Successful Transition

I thought I was prepared for the cultural adjustment. I had lived outside Vietnam for over 15 years — Singapore, travel across Asia, working with American clients in my advertising career. How different could it really be?

Turns out, quite different :P

The thing about moving from Asia to the US is that it is not one big culture shock — it is a thousand small ones that accumulate over the first few months. Some are charming (the friendliness of strangers), some are confusing (tipping culture — how much and when?), and some are genuinely frustrating (the healthcare system, but that is a topic for another post).

Here is what I have learned about adjusting, from the perspective of someone who went through it with a family in tow.

The food will surprise you

One of the first things I noticed was the food. I expected burgers and hot dogs, and those are everywhere, sure. But what I did not expect was how incredible the Mexican food is. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas — growing up in Vietnam and living in Singapore, I had never really experienced authentic Mexican cuisine. It quickly became a family staple :D

The diversity of food in the US is genuinely impressive. In our area of the Bay Area alone, we have Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and Mediterranean restaurants all within a short drive. Sophie has become surprisingly adventurous with her food choices since we moved here.

Punctuality actually matters

In Singapore, punctuality is respected but there is a bit of flexibility. In the US — at least in the professional world — being on time is non-negotiable. I learned quickly that showing up even five minutes late to a meeting was noticed. This actually suits me fine (I was always the punctual one in my team back in Singapore), but if you come from a culture where time is more fluid, be prepared to adjust.

The communication style is... direct

Americans tend to be more direct and casual in communication than what I was used to in Asia. In Singapore and Vietnam, there is often a layer of indirectness — you read between the lines, you infer. Here, people tend to say what they mean, and they expect you to do the same.

From my experience in advertising, where you navigate client relationships carefully, this directness was actually refreshing once I got used to it. But it can feel abrupt at first.

The education system is different (in a good way, I think)

This was a big one for us because of Sophie. American schools place a strong emphasis on individualism, creativity, and critical thinking. There are extracurricular activities during school hours — sports, music, community service — which was very different from the Asian education systems I grew up with, where the focus tends to be more on memorization and standardized testing.

I have to admit, I was initially skeptical. But watching Sophie thrive in this environment, developing her own opinions and interests, I have come around to appreciating this approach. (I might be wrong, and only time will tell, but so far so good.)

Household things that caught me off guard

Most of the household appliance brands in the US are not ones I had ever heard of. In Singapore, I knew which washing machine to buy, which rice cooker was reliable. Here, I was starting from scratch, reading reviews on everything. It is a small thing, but when you are setting up an entire household from zero, these small things add up.

A few things that saved me time: Wirecutter became my go-to for appliance reviews — they test everything methodically and their recommendations are solid. If you are Asian and worried about rice cookers, Panasonic and Zojirushi are both widely available in the US (check Amazon or any Asian grocery store like H Mart or 99 Ranch). And honestly, do not underestimate your neighbors — knocking on a door and asking "where do you get your groceries?" got me better local tips than any forum thread.

Language is rarely the biggest barrier

If your English is decent (and if you are reading this, it probably is), the language itself is not the hard part. The hard part is the cultural context — understanding references, getting jokes, knowing what is appropriate to say in different situations. It comes with time, and I think most Americans are patient and supportive when they can tell you are still learning the subtleties.

Homesickness is real, even if you are excited

I was genuinely excited about the move. I chose to come here. And yet, there were stretches — especially in the first few months — where I missed Singapore intensely. I missed my friends, the hawker centers, the efficiency of everything. Video calls helped, but they are not the same.

What helped most was connecting with other expats. Joining an expat group, attending local community events, even just chatting with other Asian parents at Sophie's school — these connections made a real difference. If you are on Facebook, you can join the Asian Expats in the US group that I created.

Exploring the local culture also helped with the transition. Visiting national parks, attending festivals, discovering new neighborhoods — these experiences turned the unfamiliar into something I could appreciate rather than just endure.

Give yourself grace

The adjustment takes time. I would say it took us about six months before the US started feeling like home rather than a place we were visiting. Some days were harder than others.

I remember one evening, maybe two months in, where everything piled up at once. Sophie came home upset because she could not follow a group conversation at school — the kids were referencing TV shows and slang she had never heard of. I had spent the afternoon on hold with the insurance company trying to understand a bill that made no sense. And then I opened the fridge and realized I had bought the wrong soy sauce for the third time because nothing in the grocery store looked familiar. I sat on the kitchen floor and genuinely wondered what we had done. It passed — it always passes — but I think it is important to be honest that those moments happen, even when you chose this and wanted this.

By keeping an open mind, being patient with ourselves, and actively engaging with the new culture rather than retreating from it, we got through it. If you are in the middle of this adjustment right now, know that it gets better. The confusion fades, the discomfort eases, and eventually, you find yourself feeling at home in a way you did not think was possible.

What has been the biggest cultural surprise for you as an expat in the US? I am always curious to hear how others experience it differently.

Cheers,

Chandler

P.S. I recently created a group on Facebook called Asian Expats in the US so that we can share and discuss more tips directly. Feel free to join.