I have lived in the United States of America from the day I was born. Some may say I am an expert on U.S. culture since this is all I have known. One aspect of the U.S. culture I would like to discuss is how higher education is valued. From a very young age, American children are enrolled in school, whether it is private or public. We spend about seven hours a day in a classroom, Monday through Friday, for about nine months each year until we are eighteen years old. On most days, you come home from school and have a homework assignment you need to complete for the next day of class to ensure you are following along. When we begin to struggle in school, which is inevitable at some point, parents will help their child on their own or, if they have the means to do so, hire a tutor. It is very important in my culture to exceed in school as it sets you up for your future. After high school, students are expected to apply for college and further their academic careers. Therefore, it is so important to get good grades. Good grades are needed to get you accepted into these schools. When applying for a job in the U.S., nine times out of ten and maybe even more, your employer will ask where you went to college, what you studied, and what your GPA is. You then compete against other young adults based on these categories, and the most qualified person will most likely get the job.
Although this competitive aspect is stressful and expensive, I believe it is a good thing, and I am thankful I live in a society where it is valued so highly. Learning exercises your brain and helps you further develop it. Humans are capable of so much if they put in the time and effort to achieve it. This cultural aspect has set up U.S. citizens to be able to achieve great things such as technological and medicinal advancements. It also sets us up for a higher standard of living and hopefully less stress of wondering where our next paycheck will come from.
Someone from outside my culture may see this as unnecessary, which in some cases is true. They may believe that education is necessary but not to the extent we take it to. It also causes a lot of stress on young students which may cause concern. Some cultures may prioritize other things such as traveling, taking over a family business, or helping look after younger siblings.
This exercise will help me prepare for my time abroad because, in Italy, I will be attending school. Although I am going to an American university, I will still be immersed in the Italian culture and get to see their values firsthand. This exercise helps me think about different possible viewpoints that I may encounter abroad. It is important to do so so I can have an idea of how others think and may view my culture.
By: Lauren Noonan
Rollins College– AUR