Let’s be real—moving to a new country comes with its fair share of “wait…what?!” moments. For Spriha, coming from Nepal to the U.S. was no exception.
When I asked her about her first impressions of America, she didn’t even hesitate.
“Oh my god, there were SO many culture shocks. Like…where do I even start?”
So, let’s break it down. Here are some of her biggest surprises, funniest stories, and little things she still finds weird after three years in the U.S.
🍽 Cafeterias & Independence at Age 7?!
Imagine this: tiny second graders lining up for food in the cafeteria, carrying trays like pros.
That blew Spriha’s mind when she first saw it in California.
“In Nepal, my mom packed me lunch every day. But here? These little kids were out here just ordering chicken nuggets like it was nothing.”
It wasn’t just the lunch system. It was the independence she noticed everywhere—even in kids.
“Second graders walking themselves to class, talking to teachers like they were equals? That was wild to me.”
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🏔 “Do You Live on Mount Everest?”
If you’re Nepali, you probably already know where this is going.
Every time Spriha told someone she’s from Nepal, the responses were peak comedy.
“They’d be like, ‘So…do you live on Mount Everest?’” she said, rolling her eyes. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I just open my window and wave at climbers every morning.’”
And it didn’t stop there. When she freaked out seeing snow for the first time in New Hampshire, people looked confused.
“They were like, ‘Don’t you see snow all the time in Nepal? You live in the mountains!’ And I’m like…no???”
🍔 Portion Sizes That Could Feed a Village
Food in the U.S.? Another shock.
“I still don’t get why portions here are SO huge. In Nepal, that’d feed a whole family. And people just take leftovers home like it’s normal. That concept was new for me.”
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And don’t get her started on processed food.
“It’s everywhere. I was like…what happened to fresh veggies?”
🌆 Calm vs. Chaos
The biggest difference, though? The vibes.
“Nepal felt calm. Life wasn’t rushed. You could sit at a café for hours just talking. But here? Busy streets, busy lives. Every conversation feels like it has a purpose. It’s not bad—just…different.”
🌸 But Some Surprises Are Good
Despite the shocks, Spriha loves certain parts of American life. Fall leaves? Stunning. Walking trails? Therapeutic. Nepali restaurants? Lifesavers.
“I’m so grateful for places like Zuzu where I can get momo. Feels like home.”
Her Takeaway
“Coming here taught me that it’s okay to feel out of place at first. You’ll adjust. You’ll laugh at the awkward moments later. And you’ll start to love the chaos too.”