Stereotyped American

    How would you describe and American? Ignorant, wasteful, disrespectful, informal, loud, boastful, always in a hurry, extravagant, and wealthy are some of ways that other countries perceive me. I am an American but I do not see myself as these things. I was never aware that people believe because of my nationality, I was automatically in these categories of people.

    Tasha, the Study Abroad Coordinator for CSUC, allowed me to open my eyes and see what is the typical stereotyped American. Now I do not see myself as Ignorant, disrespectful, or boastful, but this gave me a better incite on why I might be viewed as this way. Tasha ran a open forum discussion with a group of 12 students composed foreign exchange students from Germany to Mexico.

    Why is it that Americans are believed to be all those things when we believe in something else? What is it that Americans believe in? A typical American might live by these beliefs: change is good, free enterprise, being practical, efficiency, materialistic, individualism, honesty, and self-help(looking out of me first). Now how could our beliefs become transformed into all of those negative perceptions?

    At this forum, I was able to gain some incite into why we would be look at this way. Every culture is different, which makes our planet so unique. When someone travels to another culture as a representative of the American culture, assumptions are made about other Americans. Though less than 10 percent of Americans do travel, these representatives, news, movies, and other types of media are all they can bases their assumptions on.

    Having talks like these, allows me to get a better understanding of how other countries and people view me. It helps bring these problems to my attention, since I will soon be one of those 10% that will be traveling out of the country. I feel we need to make a new face of Americans that allows the world to see the great qualities and consideration that most Americans have. It is a time for change!