USA

USA 13 min read

Navigating the US Healthcare System: A Guide

You’ve just moved to the United States and after a routine doctor's visit, a bill for $400 appears in your mailbox. Your insurance was supposed to cover it, but the letter references an unmet "deductible" and an "Explanation of Benefits" that seems designed to confuse. This experience isn't unusual...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 14 min read

Dating in America: A Sri Lankan's Guide

You might believe American dating is a world of casual flings, a stark contrast to the commitment-focused traditions you know. Hollywood often paints this picture. Yet, research from the Pew Research Center reveals a different story: a significant majority of Americans who have never married—61% of...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 13 min read

Sri Lankan New Year in America: Traditions & Events

Let's be honest: celebrating Sri Lankan New Year in America often feels more like a performance than a genuine tradition. You see the big community gatherings, the vibrant saris, and the tables of food, but something is often missing. The quiet, spiritual core of the holiday gets lost in the noise...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 12 min read

Buddhist Temples in US Cities: Find Your Sangha

Picture this: You step off a bustling street in Los Angeles, the city's noise instantly replaced by the low hum of chanting and the scent of sandalwood. You expected a space of austere silence, a place reserved only for solemn, solitary meditation. This is the enduring image of a Buddhist temple—a...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 15 min read

Sinhala & Tamil in US Schools: A Parent's Guide

Have you ever watched your child effortlessly switch to English with their friends, only to stumble over a simple Sinhala or Tamil phrase with their grandparents just moments later? It’s a common, quiet heartache for many families. You see their vocabulary shrink and their confidence waver, despite...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 12 min read

Culture Shock in America for Sri Lankans: A Guide

Have you ever found yourself smiling politely while an American colleague gets straight to business, leaving you wondering if you've somehow offended them? This jarring shift from the high-context, relationship-focused communication of Sri Lanka to America's direct, task-oriented style is a classic...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 14 min read

Sri Lankan vs. American Parenting: A Diaspora Guide

Picture this: You’re at a parent-teacher conference. The American teacher praises your child’s confidence and creative thinking, but you’re quietly wondering why their math scores aren’t higher. You feel proud, yet a familiar anxiety creeps in. Are you letting them become too "American," forgetting...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 13 min read

US Credit for Sri Lankans: A Newcomer's Guide

You found the perfect apartment, but the landlord wants a six-month security deposit. The reason? You have no US credit history. Your solid financial standing back in Colombo means nothing here. This frustrating scenario is a common roadblock for newcomers. The American financial system operates on...

Jan 13, 2026 1

USA 13 min read

Starting a US Business: A Sri Lankan's Guide

Did you know that immigrants in the United States are nearly twice as likely to start their own business as native-born citizens? It’s a powerful statistic that probably doesn’t surprise you. You’ve likely carried that entrepreneurial spark with you, the same energy that fuels the bustling markets...

Jan 12, 2026 1

USA 13 min read

Sponsoring Family: Financial Requirements Guide

That six-figure salary you worked so hard for? It might not be enough to sponsor your family member for a green card. Many people believe a high income is an automatic approval, but this misconception leads to frustrating denials. The U.S. government cares less about your gross pay and more about h...

Jan 12, 2026 1

USA 12 min read

Sri Lanka: Real Estate vs. Stocks Investment Guide

I was having coffee with a friend in Colombo last week, and he was wrestling with where to park some savings. "Should I buy a small plot of land down south," he asked, "or just put it into a few good stocks on the CSE?" It’s a classic Sri Lankan dilemma, and honestly, the old answers don't always h...

Jan 12, 2026 1

USA 12 min read

IRS & Sri Lanka: Reporting Foreign Income & Savings

An inheritance from a relative in Colombo lands in your Sri Lankan bank account. You might see it as a private family matter, but to the IRS, it's a potentially reportable event. Ignoring this could be a severe misstep, as willful failure to report foreign accounts can trigger penalties up to 50% o...

Jan 12, 2026 1