From Kathmandu to Arizona: One Nepali Student’s Hilarious and Honest Culture Shock Journey

Everyone talks about the big leap — flying across the world, chasing your dreams. But not enough people talk about what happens right after you land.

For Asmi, that leap brought her from Kathmandu to Arizona in 2015. The dreams were big. So was the heat. And the confusion.

☀️ Welcome to America — And 107°F

“I thought I understood heat,” Asmi laughed. “But Arizona in August? That was something else.”

She had just landed in the U.S., but the first few days felt like a comedy of errors. From temperature shocks to food confusion, nothing came easy.

🍴 Chipotle Confusion: Ordering Like a Newbie

One of her first meals in America? Chipotle.

“I’d never seen anything like it. I stood there frozen. People were asking me what I wanted, and I had no idea how to order.”

The concept of build-your-own-bowl didn’t exist in Nepal. Add in pronunciation differences (jalapeño, tortillas, guac?), and it felt like a whole new language.

Even “okra” became a problem.

“I asked for lady’s finger and got blank stares,” she said, laughing.

🗣️ Lost in Translation — Literally

Though Asmi had studied English, she quickly realized American English was a different beast.

“Derivatives” in math class sounded foreign. “Garage” and “schedule” had different accents. Even everyday slang was a challenge.

But beyond words, it was the cultural tone that puzzled her most.

👭 When Friendly Becomes Flirty (By Accident)

One of the most unexpected shocks came during her first semester.

She made a new friend — a Dominican-American girl — and they got close fast. They laughed, hung out, and shared meals.

Then came the curveball.

“She thought I was hitting on her,” Asmi said.

In Nepal, it’s common to hold hands with girl friends, be playful, and show warmth openly. But in the U.S., boundaries can mean something different — especially across cultures.

It turned into a hilarious (and awkward) misunderstanding.

“I had to clarify, like, ‘No, I’m straight! I just really like you as a friend!’”

They cleared it up and stayed friends. But for Asmi, it was a defining moment in understanding cultural differences.

🗺️ Navigating the Basics — One Mistake at a Time

From Uber rides to Google Maps, every simple task felt like a mission.

“There were no tutorials back then,” she said. “I didn’t even know what Uber was.”

One time, she got completely lost trying to get to a job — ending up in Cambridge instead of Arlington.

A kind older Chinese woman helped her get back on track.

“She gave me $2 for the bus, walked me to the stop, and talked to me the whole way. I’ll never forget that kindness.”

💬 What Stuck With Her Most

Amid all the confusion and mishaps, the thing Asmi remembers most clearly is the feeling of being foreign — not just by passport, but by experience.

“In Nepal, you can walk into a classroom and instantly make friends. Here, there are boundaries. You have to learn where you stand.”

Still, she adapted. Asked questions. Took risks.

Slowly, America stopped feeling like a stranger and started to feel like home.

🌎 Final Takeaway

Everyone prepares for the move — but few prepare for the identity shift that follows.

Asmi’s first year wasn’t just about school. It was about figuring out how to exist in a place where everything — even a Chipotle bowl — felt unfamiliar.

With every awkward laugh and misunderstood gesture, she found her way.

Because culture shock doesn’t just teach you about another country. It teaches you about yourself.