Privacy holds great significance within American culture. The concept of “mine” is typically one of the earliest words a child learns, introducing notions of possession and ownership. Although children eventually grasp the concept of sharing, the natural desire to keep ownership and have the autonomy to decide whether to share persists. In the U.S. and Read more…
In ancient times, being hospitable meant welcoming strangers and providing them with food, shelter, and safety. Some cultures still follow this tradition today, but in others, the meaning of hospitality has changed a bit. In direct cultures like the U.S., hospitality is less about survival and protection and more about manners and entertainment. Direct cultures Read more…
And we’re back with ✨PART 2✨! If you missed PART 1, click here for the scoop. If not, let’s get into ✨PART 2✨, baby! 😝 Identity Opinions Expressed for the Group 👨👩👧👦 In her book, Foreign to Familiar, Sarah A. Lanier gives an example of how individualistic or collectivistic ways of thinking can influence the Read more…
Have you ever heard phrases like: “Don’t worry about them, worry about yourself”, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”, or “You do you”? If you grew up in the U.S. (direct culture), you’re usually hearing things along these lines and are encouraged to think for yourself. However, if you grew up in Ghana (indirect Read more…
Riddle me this! What is something that ticks and has pointers? If you guessed a clock, you’re correct! 🕰️ Did you know that the clock is quite important in the U.S.? It’s also important in other cultures, like Germany, Norway, and Canada. Why? Because the clock provides structure, allowing communities to function more efficiently. These Read more…
Hello, friends! 👋 Welcome to our blog’s cross-cultural series, where we dive deeper into the cultural differences that might’ve shocked you as you moved homes. This first post will set the stage for the rest of our series, so make sure to pay attention 😉 The world contains a variety of cultures, and each is Read more…
It’s time to pursue your dream of moving to the U.S. for your studies– how exciting! However, some of you might think it’s rather nerve-wracking. There may be loads of things to resolve, such as figuring out what to pack and how to deal with the emotions of leaving your home. Speaking from experience, it’s Read more…
Hello, friends! Welcome back to PART 2 of American Culture & Stereotypes! In my last article, I explained what a stereotype is, why it’s easy for us to accept them as true without realizing it, and the danger of adopting them without question. In an attempt to become more aware of the truth about American Read more…
For those who don’t know, a stereotype is a fixed and generalized belief about a particular group or class of people. Maybe you’ve seen a TV report or heard someone saying Americans are patriots, hard workers or workaholics, obsessed with fast food, fierce consumerists, etc. These are some examples of stereotypes that people in other Read more…
Do you ever wish you had some tips for living in the United States prior to arriving or at the very start of your stay here? Personally, some tips from another international student would have saved me so much trouble and embarrassment! That’s why this post was created– to help you in your early days Read more…