Religion is considered a private, individual matter in the United States and an individual’s religious beliefs are expected to be respected. Any discrimination or harassment based on religion is prohibited by U.S. law. A person’s religion does not affect their legal rights or social standing, and most Americans have friendships with people of other religions. The U.S. Constitution prevents any U.S. law from being based on religion or from interfering with the free practice of individual religion.

Yes, and if you are in a city or other area with a significant Muslim population you will see others wearing hijab as well. Most U.S. campuses do not have dress codes. If yours does have a uniform or dress code, you will want to discuss with the international student adviser what to do but generally wearing your head scarf should not be a problem. Of course some U.S. areas have only a small Muslim population so your friends or others may be curious as to why you wear hijab.

This is a personal matter and should not cause problems.

No, such behavior is not common and is in fact punishable under U.S. law. If you do encounter such behavior, first of all report it to the proper authorities—the police if a crime has been committed or to the International Student Office if you believe discriminatory acts have taken place on campus. Housing discrimination can be reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; employment discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; discrimination in education to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Civil rights organizations such as the National Iranian American Council (http://www.niacouncil.org) can also provide you with support and referrals.

Yes, they will definitely try to understand and are also likely to appreciate you sharing information on your beliefs. Islam is rapidly growing in the U.S. and many Americans are interested in learning about Islamic practices. If friends or professors do something that makes you uncomfortable, just explain how you feel and suggest an alternative that would work better for you.

Diversity and respect for religious and cultural differences are strong traditional U.S. values. Some areas with greater overall diversity in the population, such as cities and urban areas have larger Muslim communities. People living in these areas are likely to be familiar with the cultural and religious practices of different groups. People in other geographic areas may be less familiar with different cultures but are also interested in learning about new traditions.

No, female students will not be chaperoned. However, universities do generally seek to control how students act on campus, for example regulating or prohibiting alcohol use (which is prohibited by law for all students under 21 years old in the United States in any case) and enforcing rules based on respect for others. In addition, universities will provide support for students who seek it—for instance international student advisers, residential counselors in dormitories, and other staff on campus can mediate where necessary and help students with any situation about which the particular student feels uncomfortable.

Most commonly, men and women mix in all public activities, including work and school. Some private colleges do exist that enroll only women and there are a large number of private single-sex private schools at the secondary and elementary levels. Availability of single-sex dormitories or floors on college campuses is common (though not universal) and campuses generally do not assign men to be roommates for women or vice versa.

Bathrooms, toilets, and gymnasium changing rooms at public facilities are usually entirely separate by sex. Bathrooms and toilets in private homes and on some campuses are shared by both genders, but privacy is expected to be provided to individuals using these facilities. Most campuses have special activities and facilities for women, such as “women’s centers” and “women’s groups” where female students can spend time together and get help regarding gender-specific issues. All-female exercise facilities also exist, sometimes on campus and commonly in the community, especially in urban areas. On-campus Muslim groups will often offer separate prayer rooms and wash areas; public mosques generally do.

In educational settings that receive any U.S. government support (almost all U.S. institutions of higher education with the exception of a few conservative religious institutions), men and women are required by law to be treated equally. Women also expect to be treated equally in professional settings, and women are represented in all types of careers. Men commonly participate in raising children, cooking, and other household responsibilities, with equal involvement being the ideal in most sectors of U.S. culture. Cultural expectations regarding gender differences remain but these are individual rather than being institutionalized—discrimination based on gender will generally be frowned upon where it is not specifically prohibited by law.

Homestays offer a chance to live for a time with a U.S. family. They are primarily an opportunity to develop friendship and understanding across cultures and will not typically be a long-term housing option, though some homestays can also provide more practical benefits for instance when you first arrive on campus or during university vacation periods when some dormitories close or provide fewer services.

Some colleges and universities will help arrange homestays for international students, or your international student adviser may be able to refer you to a community group that offers such opportunities.

Religion should not be an issue during a well-planned homestay. Homestay families expect and even want to work with students from different cultures and your university or the organization arranging the homestay is responsible for matching you with a family that is appropriate for your individual preferences and needs. You should feel free to discuss your needs and practices openly with the family in advance, as they may not be aware of what your practices involve. Your international student adviser can help you with such discussions and in making appropriate accommodations.

Yes, and it is culturally acceptable (and common) to specify that you wish to share housing with your own gender only. Most colleges and universities have a housing office that is designed to help students find appropriate accommodations, or your institution’s international student adviser can help. You can also place an ad on campus or in a local newspaper specifying the type of housemate that you are seeking, or you may be able to find suitable roommates through international student associations or campus/local religious organizations.