To begin with, I was born and raised in Jamaica however I moved to the United States 3 years ago to embark on my educational journey. As I integrated and adapted to the U.S culture, the biggest cultural difference I noticed was the sense of Individualism. I noticed that a major aspected of U.S culture was to be very independent and self-reliant. I found that in the United States, people often prioritize their individual goals and achievements, valuing personal freedom and independence. Objectively, this cultural trait manifests in behaviors such as pursuing personal ambitions, expressing one’s opinions openly, and placing a high value on personal space and privacy. From my perspective , individualism has its pros and cons. On the positive side, it helps to promote ambition, innovation and a sense of pride and accomplishment, however on the other side, it can lead to a lack of community cohesion which can lead to self isolation or competition which may impact one’s social dynamic.
Jamaica’s motto is “Out of Many one People”. With that said, in Jamaica, it is more about togetherness. We are all about community and being there for each other or like treating each other like family. Sure, we have our own dreams, but it’s within this bigger picture of family and friends. So, when I think about U.S. individualism, I’m like, “Okay, that’s different.” For me it was easy to make friends in school because I felt like I was being very honest and real with everyone and I found that I got that back in return. Although the U.S culture is different I found myself to understand it very well and even in some ways admire it. I admire the self drive and determination that everyone has to do well and to be “self made.”
Why does thinking about this help me prep for studying abroad? Well, it’s like being aware of the cultural switch. In Jamaica, I’m used to the “we’re in this together” mindset, so diving into U.S. individualism means I need to be ready for a bit more independence. It’s not better or worse—just different.
So, reflecting on Jamaican culture and comparing it to U.S. individualism is like packing my cultural toolkit. I’ll be able to navigate these differences with a better understanding when I embark on my trip to London. I think I will be able to adjust how I connect with people and build relationships. It’s all about embracing diversity and making the most of this global experience, bringing a bit of Jamaica to the rest of the world and vice versa.
-MikeyLowe