The Carleton Culture Shock

The C-Shock …

Experiencing cultural shock, what I chose to call C-Shock is akin to experiencing the changing seasons. No matter how much you read or hear about them, you can’t truly appreciate their depth until you experience them firsthand. To really understand me, you’d need to see it for yourself. However, I can assure you that my experiences have been far more positive than I anticipated, especially given what I had heard before coming to the United States.
Perhaps this unique perspective is specific to Carleton, as it’s the only place in the U.S. where I’ve spent a night since leaving my home country.

The Doorway to Inclusivity: Space for all

First, I want to discuss the buildings. Beyond their aesthetic appeal and beautiful interiors, every person is considered in the design of the campus structures. When I say everyone, I mean it doesn’t matter if you use a wheelchair, crutches, or your own legs—everyone has a place in each building here. It’s quite remarkable to think how the world could be a safer and more welcoming place if there were room for everyone.

All the buildings are equipped with convenient buttons that automatically open and close doors after a short time. I particularly appreciate this feature; it’s a lifesaver when my hands are full, allowing me to enter without having to set anything down. Remember, no matter your circumstances, you have a place here at Carleton. This inclusivity extends beyond just the buildings; it encompasses all aspects of campus life.

Water Bottle Phenomenon: Hydration Nation 🙂

Then there’s the water bottle phenomenon. It really highlights the importance of staying hydrated! Everyone carries a water bottle everywhere. There are bottle filling water stations and electronic vending machines offering snacks and bottled water, yet people still lug around these giant bottles.

Back home, the closest thing we have to water bottles are feeding bottles—yes, the kind for babies! It’s amusing to think about, especially when you consider the cute little bottles moms pack in their kids’ backpacks for school. But even those kids don’t carry them around all day. Here, it might seem like a simple and normal habit, but coming from my background, it felt a bit odd at first.
Initially, I found it funny, and it made me view people through a different lens—almost as if they were all little babies needing their sippy cups! I didn’t even think about the fact that they’re just trying to stay hydrated. But hey, change isn’t always bad, especially when it’s a positive one.

Now, I’m starting to get used to seeing everyone with their colossal water bottles.
I do try to grab one when I remember, although I often forget. But hey, it’s a work in progress!

Fun fact: Carleton gives each student a customized water bottle! When I was still back home, I thought I wouldn’t use it, so I requested a Cotopaxi bag instead. Just goes to show how little I thought of water bottles!

From 40 to 9: More than just Academics

Next, let’s talk about class sizes. You might have heard about this, but would you believe me if I said one of my classes has only nine students? Don’t jump to conclusions and think that nobody wants to take the class! The structure here divides larger courses into multiple sessions, so while many students may enroll, only a small fraction is present at any given time. This surprisingly effective approach creates a more personalized learning environment—almost like having a one-on-one tutor! It’s incredible to imagine, especially compared to my previous experiences.

Back home, the smallest class I attended had around 40 students, so I think I have every right to be shocked, don’t you?
Speaking of teaching, here’s another common titbit about Carleton: professors are incredibly accessible. They’re not just open for academic discussions but for a wide range of topics. For example, I went to my math professor during office hours to discuss coursework and ended up sharing stories about my home country. Similarly, when I visited my chemistry professor to submit an assignment, we ended up diving into a conversation about my CAMS project. It got so in-depth that I walked away with some valuable advice and ideas that I’m definitely considering for my next project.
Who knew submitting assignments could turn into a cultural exchange?

I’ve experienced so much already, and there’s still a world to explore! As long as there’s life, there’s plenty of time to savor every slice of this cake. It’s all about taking it one delicious piece at a time, but rest assured, we’ll definitely finish it—no cake left behind!

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.