Cultural Transition Program : Tech Valley Connect

Tech Valley Connect has launched a comprehensive program in September of 2012 to help assimilate international professionals and their families into U.S. Culture in the Capital Region. This Cultural Transition Program contains informational workshops covering relevant topics such as; an overview of U.S. customs, culture and traditions, in addition to focused tutorials on what many may find so different from their own home cultures.

The Cultural Transition Program is sponsored by:

Cultural Transition Workshops (2-hour sessions)

Three sessions covering:

U.S. Culture, Customs and Traditions
1. U.S. History Overview
2. Encountering Cultural Differences
3. Business Etiquette/Social Subtleties
4. Household
  1. Grocery stores; ethnic, organic
  2. School culture
  3. Children – what to look for (post Columbine and other cultural heads-ups)
  4. Understanding Free Speech after 9-11
Need to know
1. Introduction to regional ethnic affinity groups and resources.
2. Financials
  1. U.S. Banking
  2. Understand Credit History – how to build one
  3. International exchange
3. Insurance
  1. Home
  2. Auto
    1. Defensive Driving – Snow
    2. What to have in car in case of emergency
    3. AAA
  3. Emergency Closing
Municipalities
1. Emergency Services/Information
  1. Urgent Care Locations
  2. Police
  3. Fire
2. Healthcare
  1. Hospitals – Physician Groups-Specialty Affiliations
  2. Medical professionals – identifying who you need
  3. Insurance
3. Court System
  1. Traffic Violations
  2. U.S. Civil Rights
4. Laws/Government
  1. Political Correctness
  2. Sensitivity (Post 9-11)
  3. Taxes; Home, Sales, School, Income etc.
  4. Seatbelts, Cell phones, Corporal punishment, Jay walking (upstate vs. NYC) and more…
5. Language Skills – Capital Region Language Center
  1. Seminar I: Talk Like a Local; Sign up ASAP!
  2. Seminar II: Adding a U.S. Accent
  3. Seminar III: Capital Region Geography, Restaurants and Shopping

Welcome Kit and Monthly Newcomer’s Almanac & English Practice Worksheet

Welcome Kit – quick and easy guides for acclimating in the U.S.

Brochures with overviews on:

Finding A Home In The US
Telephones In The US
Using The US Medical System
Buying Or Leasing A Car In The US
US Culture And History On Videotape
Connecting to the World

Laminated cards and charts giving useful information:

Trouble On The Road – what to do if; a police officer stops you or if you get into an accident
Clothing Sizes Conversions
Restaurant Vocabulary And Tip Chart
Metric Measurement Converter
American Holidays – meaning, observation, what’s closed
Cooking In An American Kitchen – referencing measurements,
temperatures and useful information
Emergencies Card – directions in both English and the native
language to use when calling for emergency services

Monthly Newcomer’s Almanac & English Practice Worksheet

This 8-page monthly newsletter offers a unique collection of information, advice, and cultural interpretation. It is written by Anne P. Copeland, Ph D., a clinical family psychologist and founder of The Interchange Institute. Those who have moved to the U.S. for work or personal reasons have found the blend of practical tips and thoughtful analysis of American culture a lifeline during their transition. Individuals, couples, and families will find it a critical piece of their assimilation process. The English Practice Worksheets attached to each newsletter make it an English-learning tool as well as cultural support.

For more information or to sign up for the Cultural Transition Program, please call 518-283-1812.

Religious Institutions & Cultural Organizations:

Buddhist

Albany Karma Thegsum Choling
Doane Stuart School
199 Washington Ave.
Rensselaer, NY 12144
http://www.albanyktc.org/

Albany Shambhala Center
747 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-729-4055
http://www.albany.shambhala.org

Hindu

Hindu Temple society of Capital District, NY Inc.
450 Albany Shaker Rd.
Albany, NY 12211
518-459-7272
www.albany.hindutemple.org/

Islamic

Al-Fatemah Islamic Center
10 South Family Dr.
Albany, NY 12205

P.O. Box 1325
Guilderland, NY 12084-1325
[email protected]

Islamic Center of the Capital District
21 Lansing Rd. North
Schenectady, NY 12304
518-370-2664
http://iccdny.org/iccdnyJ10/index.php

Jain

Hindu-Samaj – Temple
3 Brown Rd.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Email: [email protected]
845-297-9061
www.hindusamajtemple.org/navigation.htm

Korean

Korean Christian Fellowship
http://www.kcfny.org/

Korean Presbyterian Church
7 Knox Dr.
Schenectady, NY 12303
518-355-1564

Chinese

Chinese Community Center of the Capital District
11 Avis Dr.
Latham, NY 12110
518-250-9270
http://www.cccalbany.org/CCCCMS/

Chinese Christian Church of Greater Albany Inc.
901 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12208
518-437-0163

Armenian

Davros Tahlij No. 25
Troy, NY
Meeting – 3^rd Monday

Latham Masonic Temple
216 Old Loudon Rd.
Latham, NY 12110
518-785-0321

Colombian

Cumbia Spirit School of Dance
P.O. Box 263
Bearsville, NY 12409
845-679-2704
http://www.CumbiaSpirit.com

Indian

Indian Community Online
www.Albanydesi.com/Indianassociation.asp

TriCity Indian Association
PO Box 12094
Albany, NY 12212
www.triciany.org

Japanese

Japanese Cultural Association of the Capital District
http://www.meetup.com/jca-cd/

Nigerian

Association of Nigerians in the Capital District of the
State of New York, Inc.
P.O. Box 66498
Albany, NY 12206
518-669-4574
Email: [email protected]
http://www.ancd.org/index.htm

Pakistani

Pakistan Association of the New York Capital District
www.paknycap.org/
Email: PakSA@RPI
http://paksa.union.rpi.edu

Russian

New Russia Cultural Center
http://www.newrussiacenter.org

Taiwanese

Taiwanese American Association of Capital District, NY
http://www.taanycap.com/

Turkish

Turkish Cultural Center Albany
http://www.turkishculturalcenter.org/
Email: [email protected]
518-951-0309

Welcome Kit and Monthly Newcomer’s Almanac & English Practice Worksheet

Monthly Newcomer’s Almanac & English Practice Worksheet

Other Relevant Community Links: