Interested in Embracing Islam - A Few Questions from a Newcomer, Salaam

Assalamu alaikum. I'm a young white man from the U.S., raised Christian in a heavily Catholic area, and I'm considering becoming Muslim but don't really know where to start. I don't speak Arabic yet - I'm trying to learn, but I expect it'll take a long time before I can understand it well. At mosques, is the Qur'an recited only in Arabic, or are translations used during gatherings so non-Arabic speakers can follow? When I was a child I attended a Muslim funeral with my mom and we needed special permission to be there as non-Muslims, so I know there's some sensitivity around visiting sometimes. What is the usual process for formally embracing Islam? Are there specific words or steps I need to know and say? What are the daily prayers like in practice for a new Muslim, and how strict are the expectations when you’re just starting out? I'm also a bit worried about how people might react to me - will I face unfriendliness or suspicion being a white American man? And to the women who practice Islam: is it genuinely oppressive toward women, or is that mostly a misunderstanding from Western perspectives? The Qur'an was revealed in the 7th century - could some verses reflect cultural norms of that era, and is it okay to ask believers about these concerns? Thanks for any straightforward answers or pointers to friendly local resources. JazakAllah khair.