An aspect of American culture is the United States functions on capitalist ideals. Most Americans work 9-5 jobs, five days a week, that center around producing profit for private owners; there is no separation of work and personal life, but a blending of the two. The constant pressure and guilt Americans feel to work all the time leaves no room to explore people\u2019s interests and hobbies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up in the United States, I\u2019m used to the constant strain work puts on people. My parents have full-time jobs, working five days a week and some weekends. As a kid, I watched the stress my parents endured, especially my mom, who woke up at five am most mornings to begin her day in front of the computer. As a college student, I have a part-time job that allows me to pick up a couple of hours on the weekends, but sometimes my bosses are at the store from eight am to past nine pm. When I traveled abroad for the first time, I realized that it is not customary to work constantly but something everyone does to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In school, I\u2019ve noticed that I feel guilty whenever I am not working. During the semester, I don\u2019t take a lot of time to do things that I enjoy because I\u2019m too worried about failing; I\u2019m constantly working on my homework or other things that relate to my academics. I can’t pursue my side interests until school breaks, and I still feel like I don\u2019t have enough time. I approach my school work with an American mindset that if I\u2019m not working around the clock, I\u2019ve failed or I\u2019m not worthy of success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Someone outside the U.S. culture must view Americans’ need to work constantly as unhealthy. Americans put unbelievable stress on themselves to perform professionally, disregarding their mental and physical health. Other cultures do not let work consume them if it affects how they enjoy life; Americans view work as something to live for, whereas different cultures outside the U.S. view it as something to live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During my semester in Paris, I do not want my school work to consume me because I want to appreciate the experience of living abroad. I want to enjoy what I learn in my classes and not let the stress of school weigh in on my mental health. Living abroad is an opportunity to explore things I might not otherwise have the chance to do at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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