How long did it take you to feel at home in the US?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I already feel more comfortable than I did when I initially posted this, I've been getting used to how things work here and speaking more slowly so people actually understand me! Next step is trying to make some friends and get a job lol that's the scary part!

[Julie+Matt 84]

I have a while yet until my fiancé is here in the US with me, but I'm slightly worried about how well he will adjust. I know he will absolutely melt here in the summer, but I assured him that I have air conditioning and I'll make sure he's okay. I know a few stores around me that carry british snacks and I'm going to learn to make flapjack (it can't be that difficult) and some other foods that he likes. He assures me that as long as he has me, he'll be fine. He's moving here so we can be together, not so he can live in the US. I know outlets are going to bother him (we've already discussed it). He turns them off when he leaves the room and is completely baffled at why we don't have that on our outlets (personally, I think it's a good idea) so I told him I'll get power strips for everything so he can turn those off, but he can't turn off the one to the light if we have a standing light, cuz I'm not fumbling around for the power strip in the dark. He said He's okay with that lol.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Do you think it's an English trait, not wanting to feel conspicuous and apologizing for everything? And perceiving people are evaluating you by how you use the crosswalk or your accent? Those things never bother me, but a grew up where "southern hospitality" is a way of life and total strangers want to be friendly and helpful. If I don't know how to do something, I just ask. Had to do that a lot in the UK when I went out on my own because I never rode a bus before. "How do I know which bus comes here and where it is going? How do I read this sign? How much does it cost? When I get off your bus, where would I find the one to take me back home?"

LOL never complaining directly (but moaning privately) and apologizing all the time is what the English are all about!

I've just returned from a 3-day flying visit to London.

I am once again confused as to which way light switches go to turn them on/off.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

LOL never complaining directly (but moaning privately) and apologizing all the time is what the English are all about!

I've just returned from a 3-day flying visit to London.

I am once again confused as to which way light switches go to turn them on/off.

An admission from the mouth of an Englishman

Thinking about my bus riding inexperience in the UK, I remember the day I felt at home. In Oxford city center, a very elderly lady asked ME, "Does this bus go through the village in Yarnton?" and I answered "Yes it does, but only until 7pm. After that, it only stops on the main road near the pub." Yay me! Learning how things work can make you feel like a local.

[rjm_cmyk 75]

"Home" is such a vague term anyway - to be applied as one sees fit, which may well be different to someone else.

For me home is the north of England where I was born. I have very little connection with the place having not lived there since I left for college in the 1977 but it still has that emotional draw which I can recognise for what it is - a slightly irrational nostalgia for one's youth and a certain sense of identity.

My life now is in California and having been here for whatever it says in my sig, can say I have never felt homesick for either home or where I made my life in the UK - the London area. I have to add I have been coming here for nearly 16 years so really why should it feel strange ? Yes people can't always understand what I say, some things , ok many things are different and some are good and some are bad . Why change your life so enormously if you only wanted what you had originally ?

I have just had three weeks in the UK. Seen family , friends , a bit of sight seeing and had a really good time. At the end I was looking forward to coming back because my life here is moving forward while what was my life in the UK is moving in other directions. Live with it...

[MacUK 983]

I had 2 years in Florida and it was never home, always felt like an outsider looking in. The only place that felt vaguely comforting was visiting Orlando or Kissimmee, I guess because of the thousands of British tourists there.

If I'd stayed with my ex then maybe I might have adjusted with time but I never had any desire to live in the States so I guess I tried to make things there as British as I could. Never realised how hard it would be to try to recreate a proper fry up in a Dennys!

There was no greater feeling than seeing the green fields of Surrey through the hairyplane window coming in to land at Gatwick. That was coming home.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Random question, say you were applying for your first US job, would you just list your university name and previous workplaces in the resume without drawing attention to the fact that they are in the UK? Or would you emphasise the fact that you come from the UK? I don't want employers realising that I'm British and just assuming I can't work here so not taking my applications further lol.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Random question, say you were applying for your first US job, would you just list your university name and previous workplaces in the resume without drawing attention to the fact that they are in the UK? Or would you emphasise the fact that you come from the UK? I don't want employers realising that I'm British and just assuming I can't work here so not taking my applications further lol.

Some start their resume with a statement of what they are seeking or such. You could start with "I am a permanent resident of the United States, fully authorized to work.....etc. I'm am seeking a management position in the field of.....

That was kind of a random reply but google resumes and you will see some in a format with a statement. At least they know up front you are here to stay and aren't fishing for a work visa.

[US/UKHubbyUKWife 1]

Random question, say you were applying for your first US job, would you just list your university name and previous workplaces in the resume without drawing attention to the fact that they are in the UK? Or would you emphasise the fact that you come from the UK? I don't want employers realising that I'm British and just assuming I can't work here so not taking my applications further lol.

My resume clearly shows my employment and educational history as being in the UK, not because I've drawn attention to it specifically, but just from the basic detail of the info contained therein. I've had a few leads so far and no one seems at all concerned that it's non-US detail included. I guess they just want to see relevant experience, regardless of where you did it.

That said, every job I've applied for involved some level of online application, in addition to the inclusion of the resume, which will include both a question asking for your address (i.e. in the US) and usually a question about your employment status with a drop down (e.g. citizen, permanent resident, require sponsorship etc. etc.). The combination of the two should make it clear that you are local and authorised to work.

Edited August 18, 2014 by US/UKHubbyUKWife

[Kiwinyc 62]

Random question, say you were applying for your first US job, would you just list your university name and previous workplaces in the resume without drawing attention to the fact that they are in the UK? Or would you emphasise the fact that you come from the UK? I don't want employers realising that I'm British and just assuming I can't work here so not taking my applications further lol.

Yes, and I mention my recent relocation to the US and having employment authorization in my cover letter.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've added that I'm new to the US and authorized to work, hopefully will get some actual responses soon! #hatejobhunting

[Pooky 3,828]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've added that I'm new to the US and authorized to work, hopefully will get some actual responses soon! #hatejobhunting

Good luck with the job hunting.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Kiki's is good! I'm very tempted by the big jug of Ribena they have there that was the main place I was going to suggest trying as they have a larger selection than anywhere else I've seen (flour, tinned steamed pudding, custard etc as well as the usual teabags and chocolate that other places carry) and the prices aren't as horrendous as they can be elsewhere. Hubby used to work in The Butcher's Block opposite, but it's shut down. It was owned by Irish owners so they had lots of recognisable treats. He now works in their other store in Dorchester which has a decent selection but it's a bit of a schlep, especially if you already know where Kiki's is it's called The Butcher Shop Market if you're ever out that way.

Do you mean Elephant and Castle? I've been told to go there but haven't yet made the trip. Cornwall's in Kenmore has also been mentioned but it looked cheesy when I walked past, so didn't go in.

I came out here with a stash of those big Dairy Milk bars. Needless to say, they are all gone my super lovely husband replaces it with Cadburys bought at his job every so often though!

What happened to your money? Didja get it back?

We just made a trip to Kiki's (decided to do it on the T for some reason so took forever) but it was awesome! Was super excited to see pickled onion monster munch lol.

[MacUK 983]

Was super excited to see pickled onion monster munch lol.

That was the weirdest thing I found when I was there, that I craved things I never even think about here in the UK and would drive an hour to visit a British shop and pay outrageous prices for things like a can of Dandelion n Burdock, or Walkers crisps, or a Curly Wurly!

Now that all I have to do is nip in to Tescos after work I don't care about any of those things at all.

[rhirhi 35]

We just made a trip to Kiki's (decided to do it on the T for some reason so took forever) but it was awesome! Was super excited to see pickled onion monster munch lol.

Oooh, lucky. Last time I went to Kiki's they didn't have any monster munch left.