Author: GBARKER

1.) While In Japan, I learned about a wide array of things that are different from the way we do things in America. Aside from the obvious, that being the public transportation system, the different cuisines and cultural norms, there was one thing that stood out to me the most. The sense of community, for…

When I first stepped onto the streets of Osaka, I felt like I’d been handed a kaleidoscope. Every twist brought a new pattern, a fresh perspective. As an American student, I’ve been spoon-fed tales of Japan’s technological marvels and economic might. But living here is like watching a live orchestra instead of hearing a recording….

One of the defining characteristics of U.S. culture is the concept of consumerism, a complex cultural phenomenon that encompasses behaviors, habits, attitudes, and values. At its core, consumerism places a significant emphasis on the acquisition of goods and services as markers of individual success and happiness. It permeates every aspect of American life, from the…