Life in Hong Kong taught me how to quickly adjust. In Hong Kong life is very fast-paced. The people of Hong Kong always have somewhere to be. When sitting in class one day, my professor mentioned the fact that Hong Kongers are always on the move to the point where they walk up the escalators….
Post departure Blog
After arriving in the states, a lot of differences between Spain and here became pretty obvious. All of a sudden a 20 minute car ride became short again, 13 dollars for a burger went from highway robbery to standard, and drinking a beer with friends at 12 is no longer socially acceptable. In all seriousness…
Blog 1 – Pre Departure
One major aspect of U.S. culture is the notion that everyone should accommodate to our specific needs. In most countries it is common to learn English beginning at a very young age, so most people can speak at least two languages. In the United States most children learn Spanish from a young age, but the…
Blog 1: Pre-Departure
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…
Final Blog
I absolutely adored my time abroad in Aix-en-Provence. I look back on this experience with a light heart, and will forever be grateful for my time there. One thing that I really noticed that I liked about French culture was the importance of self-care and treating yourself and friends. For example, I noticed that it…
Final Blog Post – ISA Rome
HKEY — Italy is drastically different from the United States in multiple ways, whether it is the food andwine aspect or how they enjoy their free time. At each restaurant there are around three orfour courses in a meal and they expect you to pick one of each, they do not like it when you…
Final Blog Post – Australia: Newcastle
JDRAKE — The first interaction I had with a uniquely Aussie experience happened before I had even landed in Sydney. After the pilot had given their pre-landing speech, I was met with the now familiar acknowledgment of country. Paying homage to the traditional custodians of the land that the Sydney airport now rests on and…
Letters to America: Blog 1
As I prepare for my semester at Queen Mary University of London, one aspect of American culture that resonates with me is the convenience and car-centric urban design, particularly evident in cities like Orlando. This feature of American life, while often taken for granted, significantly influences our daily routines and lifestyle choices. In Orlando, the…
Blog 1 – Pre-Departure
When I think about the United States, I believe a notable part of American culture is friendliness. By friendliness I mean being welcoming, talkative, helpful, and smiling to strangers around you. Americans typically engage in small talk and converse with strangers in most settings; this may happen while waiting in line, at the airport, at…
Letters to America: Blog 1
When thinking of aspects of US culture, one that comes to mind is the importance of individualism. It is through this cultural value that individuals can change their lives and carve out who they are. Individualism taught from an early age can establish follow-through, hard work, and independence. This aspect of American culture establishes values…