Over the 2.5 months that I have been here so far, I have realized that I am perceived differently than I am back home. First, I arrived as an outsider/tourist in a foreign land, and I stood out like one. I had a friend from Trinidad and met with another Fulbright Fellow who did her research here, so I got a lot of good information on the culture and people prior to arriving, but nothing ever really prepares you for a culture shock!
One of the perceptions I had before coming here was that people were unfriendly, because my friend told me that the locals were not always very kind to foreigners. I found this to be untrue. When I walk down the street to school or the store, most people who pass me will honk their horns in a friendly manner or wave at me. Even when people enter a room or get on a Maxi, they say "Good day" to greet others. I have also found that the fellow scientists I work with are also really friendly people and truly care about me. One day, I was very homesick and they made sure I was doing okay and helped me to get out of the bad feeling.
Through my conversations with others, I have also found that most people are curious about life in the U.S. and have many questions for me.
