1. I am Belarussian, and although there is a significant minority of immigrants from ex-Soviet republics in living in New York, I haven't found many people in this country who know what or where Belarus is (to the point where I just say "Russia" to spare myself a lengthy explanation). One of the main differences I have noticed is the method by which Americans study. There seems to be a stress on group work and projects, where a team collaborate toward a goal, and each member has a particular responsiblity. This wasn't the case in Belarus, where our schools stressed an individual approach to research and study. Assignments were personal and your work was your own, not a collaboration, and I have found this system of learning a bit difficult to get used to.
2. I've also noticed a difference in American and Russian humor. Americans seem to laugh at situational comedy, highly obscene/shocking jokes and "pastiche" humor (e.g. shows like "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons"), that utilize pastiche/post-modern subjects that only someone with a vast knowledge of 20th and 21st Century American media culture would understand. Russians tend to find word play more humorous, as well as something called "Cherny Yumor" (Black Humor), highly grotesque, often cold-blooded "jokes" that reflect bitterness toward political/life situations.
3. Firs time in my life I have been exposed to cultures and religions different than my own. For example, at my place of work there is one colleague who is a Hasidic Jew. I remember an incident at work a few months ago where I was assisting my colleague with his internet settings, and somehow an video of Brittney Spears appeared after clicking on a certain link. She was barely dressed and dancing, and the imagery embarrassed him so badly that he literally jumped out of his seat and ran to the next room to pray for forgiveness. I obviously found this funny, having never seen a reaction like this, but it also made me realize that there are other cultures and religions who may be more or less sensitive to certain ideas and situations. As a result, I have been more mindful of what may or may not be interpreted as offensive to other cultures.
