As a nation of immigrants, the U.S. is often described as a “melting pot,” meaning that U.S. culture is a unified combination of the many cultures brought by people who were born in or came to live in the U.S. While Americans do generally share certain cultural traits, such as the value of hard work, independence, and a direct style of communication, our culture exists as a combination of many walks of life. These continue to play a significant role in the daily lives of inhabitants and their values.
Wherever you are placed, you will discover those things that make your community a unique and wonderful place to live. Open-mindedness, acceptance, and understanding are keys to living in a culture that shares different customs, ideas, habits, and behaviors from one’s home country. Students interested in the U.S. should be able and willing to adjust their behaviors and habits when living within a new culture.