America has many different cultural identities that have been fused together by generations of immigrants. One aspect of American culture that I will delve into is the independent drive of America that is based upon the very Independency that our Founding Fathers dreamed of when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. In America, it is taught that if you work hard and often by yourself you will get results and you will be rewarded. However, there is other aspects that really point out to the independent nature of America. In Social Security, it is designed that you are helping pay for your future security when you are in retirement, rather in other countries it is seen that the children of the household or close friends will help take care of you. Independence is a great thing in our country as it motivates us to do our best work, but it also has a higher sense of accountability. When you are working alone, you have to take responsibility of your actions whether they be negative or positive.
Me personally, I love the sense of American independence because it creates a sense of patriotic pride for ones country. I think it is very important that one remains fiercely independent so that they can perform their best work. However, I do think that it is equally important that Americans lay down their pride and be open to working with groups. The very notion of American democracy could not function with each state acting as their own, rather they had to come together to form a central government in order to function, but they maintain a good chunk of independence. Similarly when it comes to the individual level, we can do good things when we are independent, but we can do great things when we work as a team with each person playing their part. We will still be able to maintain our independence when it comes to working with a team, but it is critical to remain open for support.
I imagine that people outside the US, in particular France, would view the American sense of independence as sort of odd, yet respectable. I know from taken previous French classes, that the French do value their sense of self work and independence, but they are also very family oriented. This is especially seen in the university age kids still living with their families and taking care of them when they are going to school. Even after school, there is a program that is established in France, where the young, recently graduated students, can live with an older individual and they share responsibilities with each other so that they can function together.
This particular exercise will help me in my time in France to just being able to ask for help from my support system that is set up for me in France. I am poised to succeed, if I work hard on my own, while also seeking help from my host family and the other Rollins kids who are attending this program with me. I know that not letting my independent pride get the best of me and working with others, I can truly enjoy this time abroad which will be filled with learning and adventure.