To me, the most significant aspect of U.S. culture is our independence and drive. Since the birth of this nation, we have strived to carve out our own path. From the reliant British colonies, we were born from, to one of the greatest nations in the world today, the nation’s rise to success and influence…
Pre-Study Abroad
One of the first aspects of US culture that comes to mind is individuality. Although this value may lead to conflicts it also creates allowance for diversity and bringing together ideas outside of the norm. Some examples of individualistic ideology in the US include self-sufficiency, autonomy, the ability to have self-expression, and thinking for oneself…
ISA Rome: Blog Post #1 (Pre-Departure)
U.S. vs. Italian Culture When it comes to identifying American culture, one essential characteristic that I have observed is America’s fast-paced lifestyle. The fast-paced lifestyle in the United States is defined by a sense of urgency and efficiency. People usually prioritize time management, productivity, and achieving their goals. In this society, work ethic, multitasking, and…
Pre-Study Abroad
In the US, health care is accessed through doctors and hospitals that require patients to pay either out of pocket for their services or with insurance. Every service that is offered has a cost and some much more than others. If one has a disability, they may be eligible to receive help paying for their…
Post-trip Reflection
After being back from Spain for a little bit now, I can safely and confidently say that it was the best era of my life. Being as adaptable as I am, assimilating back into American culture has not been difficult, but there have been a couple little bumps. For starters, the prices of everything. In…
Au Revoir Paris
It has been two months since I returned home from Paris. During my last few weeks abroad, I could not wait to get home because it was too hard knowing that my time in France was at a quick end. When I arrived back in January, everything felt full of possibilities: travel, learning a language,…
Studying in New Zealand
In many ways, New Zealand’s culture is similar to the US. People speak English and are very familiar with American pop-culture. However, there are many small differences that add up and need adjusting to, such as understanding some accents and driving on the other side of the road. The biggest difference for me was the…
A Semester in New Zealand
New Zealand and the US share many traits in common as far as general amenities go. There is a lot of overlap between the music, food, and media. However, they have different attitudes toward many things. The most notable difference to me was their attitude toward consumption and waste. New Zealand does not have the…