That said, academia is a weird world unto itself, with its own rules...if you can talk with your professor friend about this and see if he/she can help enlighten you, that would be the best, I think!

some simple differences in cultural communication style, and something easily sorted. Americans just love to talk, compared with other cultures!

Oh, that sounds good that you have a professor you can speak to. Is your concern the off hand remark that one faculty member made or have you gotten other feedback? Perhaps the professor with whom you meet can help get some perspective on this, and help you sort out what is important, and how to do it. Maybe its just one person's observation, and its not a worthwhile one. OR maybe there are a few small adjustments that you can make--again, not knowing for sure because I am not there ( but I AM American) I am going to guess its no more complicated than

Thanks Lara! ( waving to Lara from under the tree--come have a seat here!) I hope you make your task with those chapters, that is a lot of work, but I know you are working hard and I am sure you can do it. I am just trying to take a few bites at a time at this, and work on things, knowing it WILL all come back together again!

=(

which is to say, the PhD is in the last stages of writing before the writing up...or perhaps I am now in a writing up stance, because I am and have gutted various chapters, am inserting some new ( but not lots) of relevant research in certain places, am re-doing a lit review...aggghhh!!!!!

Its all messy, and I can see how it WILL come back together, but periodically, like now...I am wondering whether a particular bit is better in THIS chapter or THAT chapter...and it makes me want to scream, run out of the door, and find a peaceful lake full of trout and just lay under the shade of a nice green tree....

In the US, its all about talktalktalktalktalk! It might feel strange to approach someone and ask them about an interest in a particular project, or how to find out how to get on a project, but I would think this is just fine in the US milieu. Could the department offer you an informal mentor, who can help you acculturate to the dynamics of this particular department?

Again, generalizing, in the US, so long as its done politely, its perfectly accepted, and perhaps even expected, that a student ask questions and be very proactive in their communication with the professor. This might be different in an Asian academic setting, where I have the impression ( though it might not be correct) that the student is more respectful of the teacher, and is not likely to ask questions.

I see, SMRH, that is very confounding! It does sound like you are doing all of the chitchatting and small talking, etc...can you approach an advisor or supervisor in confidence and talk to them about this? I suspect that there are some kind of cultural interactional barriers--that perhaps they are not giving YOU a clear signal on what to do, or what is expected, though perhaps it seems clear to THEM! Can you say, I would very much like to work on Project X--or I am interested in finding out if there is a project on Y...? and use that as a way to start a conversation on this?

Just a simple, hello, how are you, with some quick eye contact, is about all that is needed. No one is likely to REALLY tell you how they are, you will probably get a breezy fine, thanks, in response. The weather--in the US as in the UK--is safe to talk about--grumble about the heat, the cold, the lack of heating or air conditioning where ever you are, or admire the heat, the cold, the sky, the rain, whatever...easy small talk. Its all superficial, it is simply social greetings and acknowledgements, but its an ingrained part of the US culture, so to not do it might appear as being cold, rude or uninterested.

The US--the home of the have a nice day culture--surely values chitchat and small talk. It doesn't have to mean anything at all, superficial exchanges are normal, generally speaking. I am not sure if you are British, but I had ( and have!) culture shock about this in the UK, where small talk is not exchanged, and people sort of glide past each other in invisible self contained pods. Yes, this is all generalization, but!

Some people have very formal presentation styles, other more informal, like having a conversation. You have to find what works for you--within the constraints of your environment/field, you have to do what makes YOU appear authentic and comfortable. Sometimes I wonder whether conferences have real value. Sometimes I step away wondering what I should have/was supposed to get from being there/presenting, etc...yes, its a CV line if you present, but is that all?

so using power point lets you reach the greatest number of your audience. I think a hand out is important, so that people can take notes and follow along with what you are doing. I think the worst presentations I have attended are where people read. I can read their material faster than they speak it, and literally being read to adds nothing to their paper/article content.

While there is a great deal of disagreement on the use of powerpoint, I think that it can be used effectively and aid, rather than detract from, a presentation. Remember that people take in information in different ways, and many people are visual rather than aural, in how they receive information best. Some people do best with a combination, etc.

The US may want a JD before an LL.M, though not sure how they would deal with an overseas LLb. There is no LLB in the US of which I am aware. A JD is a 3 year professional doctorate degree. It requires, generally, a four year bachelors degree be completed beforehand.

Hope some of that information is of help. How exciting to be moving and starting your studies--best of luck with the transition!