Travel Resources

Being American and Foreign

Know Thy Host

In a study of students in nine countries, Americans came in next to last in their knowledge of other cultures! People you meet overseas will know a great deal about the United States, so learn as much as possible about your host country before you travel abroad. You should also:
• Talk to returning study abroad students, professors, family, and friends who have visited or lived in your host country.
• Stay informed by reading international news sites such as The London Times and BBC, and watch the news.
• Brush up on your language skills by reading foreign-language newspapers and magazines.
“I never realized how far the U.S. influence reached worldwide until I saw it through the eyes of another culture.” –former study abroad student

People in your host country may pose difficult questions, such as:
• Why are Americans so ignorant?
• Why are there homeless people in one of the richest countries in the world?
• Why are teachers so poorly paid in a country that claims to have one of the best educational systems?
Do not get defensive in response to such questioning. It will help if you know about your home state, American policies and in general be well-educated about your own country. Don’t forget: You are an ambassador!

While you are overseas, the people you meet will be curious about your family, home, university, and community. To make it easier for you to satisfy their curiosity, choose some photos, perhaps even a small map, to take along to show them where you come from.

If you will be staying with a host family, an inexpensive book of pictorial essays about your state would be a thoughtful gift to bring, and can act as a wonderful ice-breaker in helping you get settled in.

Know Thyself

As difficult as it is to handle criticism directed toward you or your country, knowing who you are culturally will help you deal with it in a more friendly and informed manner. According to Dr. L. Robert Kohls in Survival Kit For Overseas Living, there are 13 commonly held values Americans possess. Do you see yourself in any of these?
• There is no such thing as “fate”; everyone has control over what happens in his or her life.
• Change is indisputably good, leading to development, improvement, and progress.
• Time is of the utmost importance and needs to be used productively.
• All people are “created equal,” and everyone has the right and opportunity to succeed.
• Americans see themselves as highly individualistic in their thoughts and actions.
• Americans feel they can take credit only for what they accomplish as individuals.
• “Self-help” is an important attribute.
• Competition brings out the best in any individual in any system.
• The future is very important, as are the improvements it will surely bring.
• “Keeping busy,” even in times of recreation, is highly valued in American society.
• Americans are informal in all areas of their life, from language to dress.
• The direct approach is the best, most open, and most honest approach.
• Americans are realistic, practical, and efficient, avoiding being overly sentimental in decision-making.
• Americans value newness and innovations, thus creating a constant need to upgrade to the next best thing and fostering materialism.

How Foreigners See Americans

Most foreigners only see Americans through the eyes of movies and television. Listed below are some of the stereotypical beliefs you may run into abroad. Americans are:

• Outgoing, friendly
• Informal
• Loud, rude, boastful, immature
• Hardworking
• Extravagant, wasteful
• Lacking in class consciousness
• Disrespectful of authority
• Racially prejudiced
• Ignorant of other countries
• Wealthy
• Generous
• Always in a hurry
• Confident they have all the answers
In some countries it is also widely believed that all American women are promiscuous.

Remember that these are stereotypes that could easily be applied to people of other countries. However, some traits that are viewed positively in the United States are viewed negatively in other countries.

In many countries, individual achievements are considered less important than contributions to group success. What Americans perceive to be friendliness (calling everyone by his or her first name), others consider disrespectful. The best way to handle these beliefs is to keep an open mind and try to understand the reasoning behind such beliefs.

Here are some tips for handling anti-American criticism:
• Try to understand the critic’s motive(s).
• Draw upon personal experiences and observations.
• Avoid becoming defensive in their presence.
• Become more familiar with common U.S. facts and policies.