In my second blog, I talked about what it was like making friends while studying at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). As an international student from Peru, living and studying in the United States has come with many new and unexpected experiences.

Some of these differences have been exciting, while others have been a little confusing at first.

One of the funniest things I had to adjust to wasn’t the weather in Fahrenheit, the extra-large food portions, or even the school system.

It was acronyms. So if you’ve ever looked at a message and thought, “What does that even mean?” — don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Why is everything in the U.S. an acronym?

When I got to the U.S., one of the first things I had to learn wasn’t the weather in Fahrenheit, the extra extra large food, or even the school system. It was acronyms.

BRB??? DMV?? ASAP????? ETA??? JK???????

It totally felt that everyone was speaking in code at first.

I remember reading a text that said, “I’ll be there ASAP, what’s your ETA?” …ETA??? There was no possible solution for that abbreviation in my head.

I remember thinking…. Why are we abbreviating our sentences?

I tried so hard to guess what they meant, but I definitely gave them completely different meanings in my head.

BRB could have been “Be Right Back”… or “Being Really Bored”?

DMV sounded more like a music channel like MTV than the Department of Motor Vehicles.

And tbh (to be honest) I still don’t know if JK means Just Kidding or JoKe.

Acronyms Are Everywhere

But the funny thing is that it's not just texting either. There are acronyms everywhere.

The first time I heard someone say I’ll do that ASAP in person I was just astonished. What do you mean you can use abbreviations in person?

I think part of it is speed. Everything here feels fast, fast food, fast schedules, fast conversations.

Acronyms make communication quicker. Why say “as soon as possible” when you can just say ASAP?

It’s more efficient, like it definitely works, but also a little (a lotttt) confusing if you didn’t grow up with it.

Adjusting to Acronym Culture

In Peru, we use abbreviations too, but not at this level.

Here, it feels like you need a dictionary just to read a group chat.

Sometimes I nod like I understand something, then secretly Google it later.

The funny thing is… now I use them and I kinda like them.

I text BRB or OMW. I say OMG. I even write ETA without thinking about it.

Somewhere along the way, I became part of the acronym culture.

Maybe that’s when you know you’ve adapted, when you stop translating and start abbreviating.

Common Acronyms to Know

Let me give you a list so you are prepared too and don’t get taken by surprise when somebody says this.

You’ll sound like an abbreviation pro. ;)

BRB Be right back
OMW On my way
FS For sure
FR For real
ETA Estimated time of arrival
IDK I don’t know
IDC I don’t care
IDEC I don’t even care
LOL Laugh out loud
ALR Already
PMO Pissed me off
YK You Know
JK Just Kidding
PLS Please
BC Because
AB About
BTW By the way

Until Next Time

Studying in the United States comes with many small surprises like this, and each one becomes part of the experience of growing and adapting in a new country. Even the little things, like learning acronyms, become signs that you are getting more comfortable and confident in your new environment.

I hope this guide helps you feel more prepared and a little less confused when you see these abbreviations for the first time. And who knows — you might even start using them without realizing it, just like I did.

There’s a lot more to learn but you will learn this in your own US adventure.

Until next time bloggers!!!

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Danna Iguchi is an international student from Peru studying at at Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada.