A key aspect in American culture is individualism. Hundreds of years ago, thousands of people immigrated into the United States to pursue the American dream of freedom. American freedom falls under serval categories such as, freedom of speech, religion, beliefs. Under the United States Constitution, individuals cannot be punished for the religion they follow, their sexuality, and they have the power to express their beliefs through words. This has become a cultural aspect in America today. Compared to some countries, this is a quite different and laid-back environment. This ability for freedom allows the United States to have an incredibly diverse population. In addition, people strived to reach financial freedom with education and vast opportunities for work in the U.S. The strive for individualism and fulfilling the American dream is still very prevalent today as thousands of people are still coming to the United States. As a student and worker in America, it is known that nothing comes easy. A lot of hard work and dedication is needed to succeed. This is where the competitiveness comes into play within the American culture. It is believed that a person must succeed on their own and they control their destiny. On the other hand, other countries rely on groups of people or family members to be a key factor in controlling your destiny. Due to the desire to be the best and most successful, a fast-paced lifestyle is embedded. America is one of the most technologically advanced countries and is going to continue to advance at a rapid rate. Because of this, we see people understanding the importance of time. A few examples include the expectation that individuals will be on time, people multitasking, and fast service at restaurants. The American aspects of American culture have been instilled since the beginning of its time. This unique and idealistic culture makes the United States what is it today.
The American culture builds strong character, competition, and a strong work ethic within an individual. I believe these qualities will lead to a successful outcome. As an American, I am extremely lucky to have all the resources to fulfill my dreams. I am also very thankful that everyone has the right to share their opinions and be different. I may not have to agree with everyone, but we can certainly learn from what each other has to say. With so many diverse backgrounds and educations, it allows us to hear out of different perspectives and be continuous learners. The strive to be economically free and obtain successful pushes myself and those around me.
An individual outside of the United States may be intimidated by this cultural lifestyle. Americans are always on the go, while other cultures are relaxed. I would imagine that a person new to the United States would be overwhelmed by the rapid pace, rushed services, and technology that may not be available in other countries. Over time, the individual would adapt and easily pick up on the individualistic, fast paced lifestyle. Hopefully, they become attracted to this lifestyle and know the possibilities the U.S holds.
This exercise has forced me to realize the uniqueness of the United States. I expect Rome, Italy to be extremely different. From what I have heard, Italians don’t seem to be rushed at all and I expect their technology to not be as advanced. This will take time to get used to, but I must embrace the new culture I will be immersed in. During times of frustration, I will take the time to realize my cultural surroundings and learn from the situation. I am excited to travel along the learning curve in this adventure ahead!