Have you ever traveled somewhere and realized that you’re suddenly able to see your Country or your Culture/People from a different view point?
I don’t know about you but it can fill you with both pride and embarrassment. BUT I believe that it is an opportunity. To really see what your Country and culture is like on a deeper level, through a different lens.
This is not going to be your average post…this one is going to be pretty personal and kinda biased. This is because it is my own experience. However, what I learnt in my time in the USA has really changed and developed me as a person. I hope some of it inspires you!
I lived in the USA for 8 years. When you stay somewhere for so long, you slowly realize that you can see your Country and culture in a different light. You start comparing what is different – better or worse, and what you want to change about yourself or your beliefs.
As an Australian, I knew I was blessed to live in Australia. I still think is one of the best Countries in the whole world! I also didn’t fully realize the negative or unhealthy beliefs I had about myself or certain aspects of life. This is because I was so used to my culture – I didn’t know anything else!
Now I live in Germany. I am sure one day I will have another post about what I have learnt from living here. However, for now I am in a season of reflection about what that time in the US gave me. What it showed me, and how it changed me.
I recapped each of the things I learnt with:
- What I learnt
- How I am incorporating this in my life
so here we go…!
What I learnt from living in the USA as an Australian:
What I learnt:
I love, love, love how Americans celebrate each other well! In the workplace, in milestones in life, and just in everyday events.
Australia and a lot of the Commonwealth Countries are influenced by what we call ‘tall poppy syndrome’. This means if someone is doing well in something and surpassing us, or just having more success, we cut them back down to our height.
I have learnt from American culture that celebrating each other does not mean there’s less for you. It means your turn will come later and you will be celebrated just as well.
How I am incorporating this in my life:
Having people celebrate you well with nothing to gain has probably been my favourite thing about the American culture. I am intentionally incorporating this into my life. I make a conscious effort to celebrate people even if they are getting something that I have been wanting. It can be humbling at times, but also a beautiful privilege.
What I learnt:
Be more patriotic and proud of the things that your Country does well. Americans are so proud of their Country. Yes sometimes it can go a bit far, or can come from a place of arrogance. However, most people have a genuine love for their Country. They seem to be able to do this while also being honest and aware of the things that need improvement.
Americans celebrate their culture well, and have a lot of respect for those that have served their Country. They are also big on traditions, which I believe plays a part in the way they celebrate their culture and who they are.
How I am incorporating this in my life:
Wherever I live or have lived, I am making a conscious effort to be proud of the things that the Country I am in are doing well. For example; the welfare system in Germany is like nowhere else I have lived, they look after their people so well and I am consciously choosing to celebrate what they do well, and not complain about the things that they don’t do well. Every Country has things to be thankful for.
What I learnt:
There are so many opportunities in the USA. You can have nothing, not even have graduated highschool and because of the opportunities there you can work hard and make a lot of money. I understand you don’t have these same opportunities in other Countries, but what I have learnt is that you don’t have to be limited. You may have chosen a career path that you feel stuck in, but there are so many opportunities online to make money, now more than ever before!
America showed me that if you pursue what you want to do, work hard enough and connect with the right people, almost nothing will be impossible for you to go after. Yes I understand there are restrictions in place for some things, but dream bigger, dream with God and see how He will open doors for you!
How I am incorporating this in my life:
I have been going after making more money online. I know that having a career is a beautiful thing, but I know there are more opportunities available, and I am going after the ones that I feel like God is highlighting for me. It’s exciting to live with the lord!
What I learnt:
Americans are very confident, bold and love sharing what they believe is true. I know this can come across as arrogant, and I struggled a bit with this in the first few years I lived there. However, what I also realized is that they are really passionate people and like having discussions and debates about finding out what the truth of a situation is. They aren’t that worried even about being proven wrong, they just want to know what the truth is.
Australians can be quite passive, and we often believe that educators, the government and leaders have our best interest at heart, and so we take what they say as truth and run with it. I think since covid we as a nation have realized that we actually need to start standing up more for things. Where I believe the USA has been years ahead of us in this.
How I am incorporating this in my life:
I now ask more questions, I seek understanding from people I trust and sources that have been proven to have unbiased opinions. I find myself discussing topics more in depth then I used to, because of a greater understanding that I was given from my time in the US that debating and disagreeing with someone can actually be a healthy thing and teaches us so much.
What I learnt:
Americans have a reputation of being very friendly, and they are. However, the longer you live there, the more you can see that Americans are not only very friendly, but also can be quite shallow. It can take a while to discover if someone actually wants to be your friend, or if they are just being friendly. This happens more in the South, but I experienced it in California too. Here in Germany, people are not as friendly. I will never understand why they don’t smile back when I smile at them as I walk past haha. However, once you get to really know them, you gain beautiful, deep lasting friendships.
How I am incorporating this in my life:
I believe you can find a beautiful balance, where you make people feel so seen and known as soon as you meet them, while also taking time to build a relationship. I would love to incorporate both sides into the way I interact with people.
What I learnt:
Americans in general, are very positive people. They use sarcasm but not in the way that Australians use it. I feel it’s more light-hearted and funny. They are much more encouraging to their peers and have an overall pretty good sense of humor.
How I am incorporating this in my life:
I love sarcasm, I find the humor hilarious, but having the opportunity to step away from the more negative sarcasm has helped me see that it is often quite down-putting. I love how Americans are so positive and lift each other up, rather than putting each other down, even if it’s ‘just a joke’ (we would always say this to justify ourselves). Therefore, I have become more aware of how I use my sarcasm, and make more of a conscious effort to be positive and thankful.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to travel and see your culture in a different way (both positive and negative) I encourage you to ask any international friends you have. I am sure they will have some surprising insight for you. Additionally, you can research stereotypes of your culture or Country and see if you can resonate with any of them. If you can, ask yourself if this is something worth celebrating, or maybe something you would like to change.
We can all improve on things, and if we are continuously seeking out what our potential blind spots could be, we can become the best and healthiest versions of ourselves!
It’s amazing to look back on your life and see how far God has brought you. He gives us opportunities, that sometimes don’t make sense in the moment. I want to encourage you to embrace these times, and live them to the best you know how. Otherwise you will look back and wish you lived to the fullest.
I don’t have regrets, but I do sometimes wish we travelled more of the US, and that I didn’t worry about money as much as I did. If you go anywhere guided by the Lord, even if you’re not 100% sure but you are going in faith, believing you are following to the best of your ability. Then I believe He will look after you, and fulfil your dreams, longings and give you community that makes life so rich.
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL NOW. Make decisions that benefit you for the present and the future!
If you liked this post, you might also like:
-‘How to spend a full day in San Francisco‘
-‘6 Castles in Germany you can actually sleep in‘
-‘10 Best things to do in Newcastle, Australia – from my local Bestie‘
Thank you!!!
