VB is pretty much unheard of in the US. Fosters is produced in Canada. Some Aussie wine is available at supermarkets. Check our Expats FAQ for details.

Remember in some Sates in the US you have to be 21 before you can drink alcohol. You will be carded (show proof of age) in most establishments even if you look over 21.

Clothing

Measurements are different in the US - so are shoe sizes. Don't be surprised if you were a size 10 you are an 8 in the US.

Communications

Use the Australiansabroad.com message board to help solve any issues you might have

Get in touch with your local Australian Embassy or Consulate - they may have drinks nights on a regular basis or put you in touch with a AusCham near you.

Use our Find An Aussie service to find other Aussies in your new home. VoIP makes for cheap international calls. Check it out HERE

Culture Shock

Don't underestimate the culture shock - there are some books on the subject you can get and read up on what to expect before you come. Culture Shock USA may be worth thinking about buying before you come.

Be assured that every time you sit down to dinner a telemarketer will call you - Register with Do Not Call.

Litigation - it seems more prevalent in the US. People's rights are a big issue and after a while you understand this.

Customs

It is customary to tip in the US - tipping occurs in all areas from Bellhops to Taxi drivers but notably in restaurants. Expect to tip 15% on top of your food bill when eating out.

Lining up to go to a Restaurant. Some places in some cities are really busy so you go to your favourite place and leave your name and party number, you might wait at the bar or just sit and wait to be called.

There are loads of other customs that come up from time to time at the boards - if you notice something feel free to post or if you have a query.

Driving

Ask your current car insurer to give you a letter of driving record before you leave Australia. This is usually only valid for up to 6 months so ensure you have sat your license before this record loose validity. You don't want to be classed a 'new driver' the insurance is like home - very high.

Be prepared to sit your license again - some states require this by law within a short period of taking up residency. So find out what the legal requirement to stay within the law. In some States you cannot drive on an out of town license is you are residing permanently there, after 9 days. To find out more go to the DMV's site:

If a company is moving you over to the US some companies will give you driving lessons as part of your package. It is worth taking advantage of this as there are different rules to home.

There are different things you need to know from home like turning on the red, 4 way stop signs, and doing a U turn at the lights - so it is best to be well informed.

Education

Education system is very different from home. But like anything as we grow up that too changes so if you have children and are affected by this issue there are some great web sites but even better is a fabulous book on Education in the US called:

The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade by William J Bennett.

Another good reference book is What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know: Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning (Core Knowledge Series) by ED Hirsh Jr - each year school year is reviewed and recommended information on what your child should be learning is discussed.

Electrical Items

Don't bring any electrical items with you - 110 Voltage in the US - so give away or sell your Aussie stuff. But you can usually find your computer will work and perhaps even some of your stereo equipment if it has switchable power supplies.

Note don't bother bringing your computer screen to the Northern Hemphispher.

Financial Issues

Bring all your financial records for as far back as you can if you want to be able to get a credit card, open a bank account or even organise a mortgage.

As far as the US is concerned you will not exist until you have a credit rating and the more information you have about your financial history the better.

You might like to check out WhichBank - this is a page Australians Abroad set up for banking/credit tips etc.

Some people found the best way to get a good credit rating quickly in the USA, was to have a American Express account in Oz.

A "ready contact" list of referrals when applying for an apartment - perhaps your Australian Bank manager will vouch for you or your mortgage lender. Set this up before you go.

Once in the US make sure you pay your bills on time - credit history is very important and can ruin you later if you mistakenly forget to pay one.

Also once in the US - don't take advantage of any of those "PreApproved" credit cards - the interest rates and fine print are unbelievable.

Food

You will find there are many products that you don't know and many products that you are familiar with you cannot get in the US.

There are some great websites that will deliver these products to your door - use the Australiansabroad.com search engine to find these companies or post at the message board.

Supermarkets sometimes seem to have only US brands but if you go to smaller supermarkets or more specialized stores you may find some Aussies products like Vegemite, or even Arnott Biscuits but under another name. Plus at these smaller stores you will find other international products you may have seen at home, especially English and European brand names.

The butcher is another eye opener. And once again there you can often explain to a butcher what it is you want and if you are lucky to have a good butcher he can usually supply you with what you need. Lamb is a little hard to come by.

ID

Make sure you bring plenty of identification - birth certificates, marriage, decree nisi, drivers license, etc. No matter how incidental you may need it one day. Keep it safe once you have it as originals always holds more weight than a copy.

Get a Social Security number with all your other paper work that has to the something you do on day 1 or 2 when you get here. Once you apply for that, only then you can open a bank account, arrange credit cards etc. The Governments site: Social Security on Line - will give you loads of valuable information: http://www.ssa.gov/

Petrol (Gas)

Usually before being able to pump petrol into your car you will have to pay the attendant or hand over your credit card. Only at that time will the bowser be turned on. You'll get used to this.

Spoken Word

Word/language differences and spelling differences can take awhile to get used to. Study up go to OzDictionary.

You don't need to change your accent but you do need to adapt your vocabulary and, very importantly, learn to write the date backwards (m/d/y).

American's don't think of themselves having an accent but will notice yours - don't let it bother you.

Kate Juliff
October 2000