"I - I hardly know, Sir, just at the present," Alice replied rather shyly, "at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."

Most of us who studied abroad have felt like Alice when she went through the looking glass. With new languages, cultures and customs feeling somewhat strange to us, adapting to this different environment can be a challenge. These new experiences are exciting, but can also cause us frustration from time to time.

To alleviate this frustration, we need to understand our values and how they may differ from those of our host culture. Thanks to Dr. Robert Kohls, an authority on American cultural patterns and cross-cultural value differences, here are 13 commonly-held values which can help explain why Americans act as they do. Use these to compare against the values of your host country (do a little research or ask someone from that country), without making any negative or positive judgments. By preparing in advance for your experience, your adaptation to your new culture will be a little easier.

Personal Control Over the Environment

Americans do not believe in fate and look upon people who do as being backward or primitive. Americans believe that to be fatalistic is to be superstitious or unwilling to take initiative.

Change is Seen as Natural and Positive

Americans believe that change is good, leading to improvements and progress. More traditional cultures often value stability, continuity and tradition—these values are not considered very important in the United States.

Time and the Control of Time

Time is important to most Americans. Accomplishments are often more important than developing interpersonal relationships.

Equality/Fairness

Americans believe that all people are created equal and that all should have an equal opportunity to succeed. They tend to treat everyone the same, not according particular respect for their elders or bosses.

Individualiasm or Independence

Americans are highly individualistic in their thoughts and actions. They don’t want to be thought of as representatives of any homogeneous group.

Self-Help or Initiative

“I did it myself” is a common value amongst Americans. They take credit only for what they accomplish individually.

Competition

Americans believe that competition brings out the best in an individual in any system. Value is reflected in economic success and is applied in the U.S. in all areas.

Future Orientation

Americans focus on the future and the improvements it will bring. They do not value the past and are mostly unconscious of the present.

Action or Work Orienation

“Don’t just stand there, do something!” This expression describes most Americans’ life, where action is seen as superior to inaction. The U.S. abounds with workaholics, people addicted to, and often wholly identified with their profession

Informality

Americans are much more informal and casual than Western Europeans. In many other countries, formality is a sign of respect and one must be officially invited to be on a first name basis.

Directness and Openness

Many other countries have developed subtle ways of informing others of unpleasant information. Americans prefer the direct approach.

Practicality or Efficiency

Americans are known to be practical and efficient. Americans give the practical consideration highest priority in making important decisions.

Materialism or Acquisitiveness

Foreigners consider Americans more materialistic than they are likely to consider themselves. Americans give a higher priority to obtaining, maintaining, and protecting material objects than they do in developing and enjoying relationships with other people.