Living Like A Local

Living Like a Local

Understanding American Culture, Customs & Everyday Life in Northern New Jersey

Living Like a Local is designed for adults who have moved to the United States, recently or years ago, and who want to feel more connected to American society while gaining a deeper understanding of the culture, customs, and everyday life in the U.S.

The course begins with the unwritten rules: the social and cultural norms that shape how Americans interact, along with the expressions, humor, small talk, and colloquialisms that fill everyday conversation. It then turns to examine the shared touchstones of American social life: sports, food, holidays, and pop culture, and the role each plays in bringing people together.

The second half is practical. Participants learn how essential systems work, from taxes and tipping to healthcare, schools, and credit, and then narrow the focus to New Jersey and the New York City metropolitan area, where local customs and character have a flavor all their own.

Throughout, the emphasis is on connection. Participants meet other international and local community members and leave feeling more comfortable taking part in everyday American life.

Time: 7:00–8:30 PM

Dates:

• October 13, 2026
• October 20, 2026
• October 27, 2026
• November 10, 2026

Members $184 / Guests $221

All registration is final sale. No refunds will be provided.

About Fatima Tsiouris

Fatima Tsiouris is a global health consultant, lifelong traveler, runner, avid yogi, and mom of two boys. Foreign-born and raised in an immigrant household, she learned early that understanding a new culture often means figuring out all the things no one actually explains, from unfamiliar expressions and social customs to navigating everyday systems and knowing what everyone is talking about during football season.

Fatima spent more than 20 years working in academia and global public health and now works as an independent consultant. Her career has taken her around the world, working alongside communities and colleagues across many different countries and cultures. Those experiences have reinforced her belief that travel and cultural exchange are some of our greatest teachers, opening our minds, challenging our assumptions, and, perhaps most importantly, teaching us humility.

Having spent much of her life navigating between cultures herself, Fatima brings curiosity, humor, and a very personal perspective to this series. She looks forward to creating a space where participants can ask the questions they’ve always wondered about, share what they’ve learned from their own cultures, laugh about some of America’s more puzzling customs, and feel a little more at home in New Jersey.

Questions? Contact Hanita Becker at hbecker@jccotp.org or 201.569.7900 ext. 565