22+ interesting things about American culture, international students must know!

Culture and lifestyle are the characteristics of the material life as well as the spirit of a part of people in each region. When approaching a new culture, international students can cultivate new knowledge, satisfy their curiosity, but sometimes they may feel surprised and lost if they do not adapt in time.

Here are the highlights of American culture about communication and the daily lifestyle of Americans that international students should know to make it easier to integrate.

1.1. Promoting independence in American culture

The most prominent American culture that perhaps every international student hears about is the emphasis on the independence of the people here. From an early age, American children have been educated in independent thinking. They are free to choose their subjects, majors, and join their favorite clubs.

From the age of 16, American teenagers can self-study and take the car driver's license exam. When they reach adulthood - 18 years old, children often move out to live, earn their own money and pay part or all of their tuition fees, living expenses, only go to family gatherings on major holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, etc.

This is probably the biggest difference compared to Asians in general and Vietnamese people in particular about American culture. Asians often live in a large multi-generational family. Parents often contribute many opinions in their children's studies, future orientation, financial help, and participation in their children's marriage research.

1.2. Straightforward in communication

The frankness of Americans can make international students feel surprised at the first contact. Americans approach the problem directly, without going around to help quickly resolve disagreements or contradictions. However, in American culture, their words or behavior that are not really skillful can make international students feel embarrassed, or even offended.

Although she is very straightforward but also quite skillful and polite in communication, you can read more about how to behave politely in the US before studying in the US if necessary!

1.3. Critical thinking

From an early age, American children have been encouraged to come up with new answers, creative ideas, and ways of doing homework rather than being confined to a traditional framework that is unique to American culture. From there, they will find their own strengths and develop better.

In addition, Americans encourage civilized, critical debate on the basis of construction and development in American culture. They do not hesitate to receive unique thoughts and ideas. That is why the United States has achieved many proud achievements in the fields of research, science, and economic and social development.

1.4. Respect for differences

America is a land of many races from all over the world such as Asian-yellow, African-black, etc., with a variety of different cultures, American culture always emphasizes individuality and human rights. Therefore, modern, civilized Americans always respect differences in skin color, beliefs, religion, and even everyday dress styles in American culture.

1.5. Pragmatism

As mentioned above about American culture, Americans value achievement that is expressed in the profits they bring, the wealth they accumulate. Therefore, people often assume that they have a pragmatic mindset. However, not all Americans are like that. Many people are still looking for simple pleasures in their daily activities, cultivating knowledge about the social culture around American culture.

1.6. Friendly and comfortable

Due to racial diversity, with American culture, it can be seen that Americans are easily receptive and treat friendly and comfortable people around them. However, in American culture, friendships in the U.S. are often shorter and more randomly established than in other cultures. They tend to define friendships clearly: friends with family, friends at school, clubmates, friends at work...

But international students should not worry too much about this issue with American culture. If you show closeness, sincerity and find common interests, you can establish a close, close relationship with American friends.

The school culture in the US is completely different from Vietnam. Schools in the US are usually divided into 3 types: public schools, private schools or homeschooling. Each school has a different admission criteria, often including SAT exams, essays, assessments of extracurricular activities, and there is no national high school graduation exam like Vietnam.

Therefore, international students coming to the United States should pay attention to the following issues about American culture at school:

2.1. American culture values extracurricular activities plus training points

Activities when joining clubs or volunteering not only bring international students valuable experiences but also a great plus point that is saved at schools in the US. Therefore, don't hesitate to show your strengths in your studies as well as in your daily extracurricular activities.

2.2. Sportsmanship

The majority of American students have a lot of affection and love for sports. When you come to the United States, you can witness passionate and competitive football or basketball games in American culture. Fans including friends, teachers and family members constantly cheered and cheered enthusiastically in the stands, creating an unforgettable vibrant atmosphere.

2.3. Products bearing the name of the school

Many international students who come to the US for the first time are surprised that most students here use all accessories printed with the school's name such as clothes, books, backpacks, etc. This is a way for them to show their pride in the school they are pursuing in American culture.

2.4. Studying subjects that are not in the field

Education in the United States emphasizes comprehensive development. Therefore, according to American culture, students can freely register for subjects unrelated to their field of study to learn, hone more knowledge, satisfy curiosity and passion

2.5. Weekend parties of American culture

Students in the U.S. love to party. They can meet to chat or dance, sing, and eat together from Friday night until Monday morning. This is also a way for them to build many new relationships and relieve stress after tiring classes and work.

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In addition to cultural and lifestyle characteristics, in the American office environment, there will be 2 highlights of American culture as follows:

3.1. Competitiveness

Americans reject monopolies in politics, business, and even work in American culture. That's why the United States has 2 political parties, many technology companies provide diverse products... in order to create fair competition to continue to develop and improve.

3.2. Likes to ask a lot of questions

Americans tend to ask a lot of questions, especially to new acquaintances. This is a way for them to break the initial distance and create friendliness and better understand the other person. However, many private questions can make you feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, you refuse to answer these questions and may move on to other topics in American culture.

Americans often ask many questions to shorten the distance with the opposite person.

American and Vietnamese cultures have many differences in spirit. Therefore, international students should not miss out on experiencing the new cuisine and special traditional festivals in this country.

4.1. Culinary culture

One of the typical cultural features of the United States that is different from Vietnam is that rice is an indispensable dish in every meal, Americans like to consume wheat and corn. American culture is also famous for Fusion cuisine, which means "Americanizing" famous dishes from many different countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Italy, Mexico, etc.

In addition, another mark in American culinary culture is the variety of eye-catching and delicious prepared fast food from many famous brands such as: Starbuck, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread... In particular, many brands have entered the Vietnamese market and won the sympathy of consumers such as Starbuck, KFC...

4.2. Festivals in the US

In the US, the two biggest festivals of the year are Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is a special opportunity for international students to experience culinary culture, hear about heroic historical imprints and connect more with the local people.

In American culture, Thanksgiving is usually celebrated on Thursday, the fourth week in November, with the original meaning of celebrating a bountiful harvest and giving thanks to God for protecting and bringing many blessings and happiness to the people. Today, Thanksgiving is an opportunity for families to gather together. And turkey meat is an indispensable dish on this special holiday.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Americans celebrate Christmas with great pomp. They decorate their homes and streets beautifully with Christmas trees, Advent wreaths, hang many sparkling lights and prepare gifts or cards for family and dear friends. Each state has its own culinary characteristics on this holiday such as: gingerbread cookies (Delaware), baked apple pie (Iowa), cranberry sauce (Florida), prime ribs (Alaska)...

As a typical cultural feature of the United States, the traffic culture in the United States and Vietnam has many differences. Therefore, when arriving in the United States, international students need to pay attention to the following things about American culture.

5.1. Pedestrians are given priority No. 1

In the US, pedestrians receive a top priority. In any case, even if a pedestrian crosses the road in the wrong place according to the law, the driver must still stop and give way to them first. However, civilized Americans do not abuse this right when walking but still strictly obey traffic laws.

5.2. Turn right at a red light

In the US, road users are allowed to turn right at a red light without any signs. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, road users are only allowed to turn right at a red light when there is a sign or an arrow-shaped secondary light that turns on blue.

5.3. Limiting honking

Many major cities in the US have regulations that do not allow honking when participating in traffic. In American culture, they consider this to be rude and can lead to noise pollution.

In the early days of coming to the United States with many surprises and novelties, international students need to pay attention to the following American cultural issues:

• Differences in cuisine:

  The biggest obstacle for Vietnamese students when coming to the US is the difference in culinary culture from ingredients, processing, presentation, etc. Don't worry too much about this! Take this as an opportunity to experience new dishes, and at the same time look for foods that are more familiar to you to cook at home, or occasionally treat yourself to a meal at Vietnamese hometown stores.

• Lifestyle surprise: The

  communication culture in the US and Vietnam is quite different. The United States is a free, liberal country, people are always comfortable and not constrained by rules and regulations. Vietnamese people value proper manners. But don't limit yourself when entering a new land because of that. Be confident, inclusive, proud of what you have and embrace other lifestyles of your country, be open to communicating with native speakers.

• Language differences:

  Languages in the U.S. and Vietnam are completely different. International students who come to the US to learn and research new knowledge need to prepare themselves with a solid English foundation that can easily communicate on a daily basis. In addition, you need to actively cultivate more so as not to miss any information, knowledge, and opportunities around you. The practice of English does not stop at books, but international students should be comfortable and confident to talk more with native speakers. They will be the ones to point out the mistakes in your statements, help you remember longer and not make mistakes again the next time.

Hopefully, the above article has brought useful information about American culture, helping you have a glimpse of life and people here. From there, international students to the US can be more prepared in terms of knowledge and spirit before starting a journey to explore a new land.

IDP advises and applies to study in the US for free!

To help you understand more about the requirements to study in the U.S. or the list of reputable universities in the country, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and contact IDP to get Study Abroad Counseling in the U.S. free. Besides, you can also participate in a series of study abroad festivals throughout the year or otherEvents organized by IDP to meet directly with school representatives and answer any questions about the appropriate learning pathway.

You can also proactively estimate all tuition fees and expenses throughout your study abroad in the U.S. with Cost of Living Calculator. You can experience the IDP Live app with Fastlane Features, allowing you to track your application progress and receive an offer letter 2-3 times faster than the usual application method

See more:

• 7 Cultural Taboos to Avoid When Living in the U.S.