If you chat with the person for a while, you will surely discover that you have many more things in common than you have suspected. Don t invent ways of building barriers between you and the new environment but of climbing over them. In most cases the people who greet you do not necessarily expect you to say something or to start a conversation - the greeting is part of the friendly and warm atmosphere of the college. There is no university regulation controlling dress, so you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Evening dress for dinners, dates or theater may consist of a jacket and tie for men, and a dress for women.
National dress is usually appropriate.
If you are not sure what to wear and the invitation does not give you an idea, just ask. If you receive a letter or invitation to an event at someone's home and it says RSVP, you should respond by either writing a note or by calling the person. If unavoidable problems make you change your mind about attending, inform those who are expecting you as far in advance as possible. Cultural preferences or religious restrictions as applied to food are understood, so just explain this to your hosts if you are offered food which you do not want or are not supposed to eat. American culture is very fluid and complex with many subcultural groups whose values differ.