An aspect of U.S. culture that stands out to me the most is individualism. What I’ve learned from my time in the United States is that personal freedom and the pursuit of individual goals are strongly emphasized in American culture. This is reflected in many aspects of life, ranging from the education system to the way they’re accustomed to having meals. People highly value their independence and take a lot of pride in their personal achievements and success, over the communal ones.
In my perspective, individualism has two sides. On the positive side, it fosters innovation, creativity, and self-expression. However, I come from a Latin American family in which the culture encourages interconnectedness, which is why the individualism that’s centric of US customs often contributes to a sense of isolation and even competition for me personally. I feel like this can sometimes overshadow the importance of communal bonds and the collective well-being. When I first got to the United States, one of my biggest culture shocks was how “cold” I found the people to be. I grew up with a big family and community that likes to express their care for each other in different ways like sharing meals and hugging, which is not as common in the States. I’m going to study abroad in Italy, a place that prioritizes and cherishes communal living over individualism. Coming from my past experiences, I believe this type of living creates a sense of belonging and emotional richness. I look forward to wrapping myself up in the richness of the Italian culture. I want to get into the mindset of understanding and appreciating different cultural perspectives so that I can become a global citizen.
I believe that individualism is viewed differently outside the US, depending on who you ask. On one hand, some people might admire the focus and pursuit of dreams, referencing the famous “American dream” ideal or concept. On the other hand, some might find it isolating or selfish, especially if they come from a culture that places high value on community. In Italy, there’s a noticeable emphasis on communal life and social connections. Italian culture places high value on family, friends, and shared experiences, for example, meals tend to be longer in Italy.
Reflecting on these concepts, aspects, and cultures will help me navigate the cultural nuances I might encounter in Italy. This can help me foster more openness and empathy while abroad, and prepare me for what might come. Even though I might be scared of the changes, I’m gonna face this challenge head-on. I’m very grateful that this experience will not be my first time abroad, and that my time in the United States and at Rollins has helped me prepare for more experiences like this one because it has made me more adaptable and independent. I love to see the beauty in all the different cultures and adopt different customs from all over the world that I like to add to my day to day.