By being an international student, I have learned to gather the habits from each culture to help develop my own character. So far, the United States culture had the biggest impact on me. In other words, I have more values and behaviors from the American culture than from my native culture. The value behind individualism is very common and implemented in the daily life of an American. It is focused on ameliorating themselves first, either professionally or by personal growth, to then be able and offer to those around like family members or friends. Another big component of the American culture is working hard to succeed. Americans’ life tends to be focus on working multiple hours to see a pleasant financial result. In some countries, this is known as “The American Dream”, possessing financial stability as a result of hard work. Lastly, the value and attitude towards personal space. Americans enjoy their own space and appreciate big places that offer more freedom and movement. All these aspects contribute to the identity of the United States culture.
The stated views that form the American culture have their benefits and disadvantages. The individualist point of view can be interpreted as selfish. I personally enjoy this value but with a balanced in place. For example, I am very independent, however, I am open to staying collectivist with my family center and close friends. The working component that is pushed into society does improve the lifestyle of individuals. I do agree that working hard can help determine a person’s life. Although, a lot of the American culture focuses on working multiple hours and leaving very limited time for other beneficial habits in the long run. For instance, many individuals tend to work 40 or more hours per week. A person working ten hours per day for four days a week has a limited schedule. This means that those four days are composed of quick meals and barely any time for hobbies. Individuals outside the U.S call this “living to work”. I like the aspect of having financial stability, but I also enjoy having time for myself and nourishing properly without thinking about the time limit. Lastly, I do agree with the attitude towards personal space. After living in the United States, I have gotten used to big spaces in buildings and between people.
As an immigrant, I understand the different points of view and the struggles of adjusting to different cultures. I can vividly remember the first I arrived in the united states. The surprise of how different tasks and behaviors were done. I believe individuals take the best aspects of the American culture into their life and ignore the aspects that they do not agree with or familiarize themselves with. At first individualism and personal space were strange to me since in my culture we work as a family and love to live close to each other. I understand individuals that deny or disagree with certain aspects of a culture. However, I have learned and experienced that with tourism, social media, and technology people are more understanding and open to accepting different cultures.
The exercise opens the concept of being accepting and not being offended by different cultures. It helps analyze how everyone has a different background, to be open-minded, and not judge but rather take the best from each culture.