What You Learn From American Culture - Coursework Example

My first encounter with American culture: As an international from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) travelling for the first time to the UnitedStates, made me realize the stark contrast between the American culture and the Emirati culture. I had heard a lot about American culture and knew about it through popular media but living in the country helped me actually experience it first-hand. I learnt that although there our cultures were visibly different the basic human qualities were essentially the same.

The Americans are warm and friendly people with a strong sense of individualism where individual effort is valued and creativity is strongly encouraged. I learnt that the American culture is more open to international visitors as the country has had a long and impressive history of opening its shores to foreign travellers. Social relationships and virtues such as compassion towards other human beings, and equality of one and all are highly valued and endorsed. Although similar to other cultures there are social, religious, political differences as well as differences between age and gender but everyone is treated respectfully during social encounters.

I also learned that the Americans tend to be quite informal towards people they are acquainted with, and often use their first names while addressing each other regardless of age and status and differences, which was quite a pleasant surprise for an international student like me. In my culture the elders are given more respect and it is customary to greet an elder first after entering a room. Hence I found the American culture to be relatively open and friendlier devoid of any apparent social or age-based differences while addressing one another.

I learned several things about the States and the people in general however my personal interactions with those around me further helped me understand the culture from a better perspective. I realised the role of values and social attitudes in shaping ones culture and how it affects the way we communicate with one another. Living in America has helped me reassess my perspectives and look at the culture in a different light.