Anyone else feels out of place when you are in meetings or gatherings with American colleagues? I started working for this majority white company after graduating and I can't help feeling alienated because I don't know how to interrupt them in meeting to give my ideas or to get my ideas in during conversations.

Does anyone have same problem or know how to overcome it?

Dont worry my friend. It will all turns out well. Just dont hegitate to talk. Atleast have an idea of what they are talking about. Only way to overcome is to know what they are talking about. Be frank but dont be stupid. If you dont have anything to talk smile . Fake it untill you make it. Talk like you know. Research on anything that you feel like you dont have a clue.

I had a same situation a couple of yrs back , was never exposed to a corporate world and all of a sudden i am surrounded by bunch of business project managers and operatrions manager . They were talking as if its nothing and me :( was hoping to understand a word from them so i can atleast have an idea of what they were talking about. I think this happens to everyone. Especially when they want your opinion and you feel like $hit.

My advice. Stay on top of it. Research. Dont hegitate to speak but speak right. Good luck.

Agreed with mikal, one thing that helped me was trying to talk with each individual outside of meeting and trying to make a bond, u can talk in the break room and say whats for lunch or you can say any plan for new year's eve ?dont forget to smile and say hello , good luck

The untrained human mind usually becomes the victim of its own mind. The problem is never outside. Whatever you think, you become. An imagination comes in the mind, and mind assumes it as if it is real! However, an imagination is always an imagination, not the reality. Have you ever wondered what is this thought of 'alienation'? This is just a thought that is popping out in your conscious mind, and your mind is assuming that alienation is real. A dream is real for the dreamer for the time being. All you need to do is wake up! You are not understanding who are your co-workers and who are you! And this thought of alienation is coming in you as a result of your own ignorance. If a man with a lamp in his hand goes out in search of darkness, will he find darkness? At this point, you need a supreme-yoga called Gyana Yoga.

Thanks to all Nepali friends for their input. I’d also like to pitch in based upon my personal experience.

• Be prepared/pro-active.
• Go through the meeting agendas (helpful links, ppt etc) prior to the meeting (provided meeting agenda is already available).
• Research on the key words based on the meeting agendas.
• Go through the company documentation based on the key words.
• Make a note of everything possible that you learned in your initial meeting (either in your MS word or regular pen and paper).
• You can voluntarily take a meeting minutes regardless of your job designation (newbie, entry level, Senior position, Manager level etc. This would help you follow up with different folks after the meeting. You can share the meeting minutes to everyone after the meeting. It’s a learning process and at least you are contributing something.