Exchange students come to experience American culture. But what do they find? From the food we eat to the holidays we celebrate, America is a beautiful blend of global traditions. Here’s a fun look at how cultures from all over the world have shaped what we call American traditions!
American Music
America’s music scene is shaped by influences from all over the world!
Jazz & Blues – These uniquely American styles were created by African American communities but are deeply influenced by West African rhythms and European harmonies.
Rock & Roll – Inspired by rhythm and blues (R&B) from African American artists, mixed with influences from country music (which has Irish and Scottish roots).
American Dance
Dance Styles – Many of the dances we love have international origins!
- Salsa (Cuba)
- Tango (Argentina)
- Hip-hop (a blend of African and Caribbean dance influences, developed in the U.S.)
- Ballet (France & Italy)
American Fashion
What we wear today is influenced by cultures from across the globe!
Jeans – Originally made for American workers in the 1800s, denim was inspired by tough fabrics from France and Italy.
Sneakers – The world’s most famous sneaker brands may be American, but sports shoes were first inspired by rubber-soled shoes from England in the 19th century.
American Stories
Many classics fairytales are based on European folklore:
- Cinderella (France)
- Sleeping Beauty (Germany)
- Beauty and the Beast (France)
- Aladdin (inspired by Middle Eastern folktales from One Thousand and One Nights)
American Movies
Many filmmaking techniques and genres in Hollywood have been influenced by global cinema.
- Martial arts movies? Inspired by Hong Kong cinema!
- Spaghetti Westerns? Perfected by Italian filmmakers!
- Sci-fi & fantasy? Heavily influenced by Japanese anime and mythology!
American Games
Many classic games Americans play today come from other cultures:
- Chess (India & Persia)
- Checkers (Ancient Egypt)
- Mahjong (China)
- Poker (influenced by French and Persian card games)
American Food
Think American food is just burgers and fries? Think again! Our favorite dishes come from all over the world.
Pizza – Originally from Italy, pizza has become a national obsession!
Tacos & Burritos – Mexican cuisine has had a huge influence on American food.
Sushi – Sushi, from Japan, is now a go-to meal across the U.S.
American Lingo
American English is filled with words borrowed from other languages.
- "Ketchup" comes from a Chinese word (kê-tsiap).
- "Kindergarten" comes from German and means "children’s garden."
- "Café" is from French, meaning a coffee shop.
- "Boondocks" comes from the Filipino word bundok (mountain).
American Sports
Many sports we consider American have international roots!
Football – Inspired by rugby (England) and soccer.
Basketball – Invented in the U.S. by a Canadian teacher, James Naismith!
Baseball – While baseball is America’s pastime, it has similarities to British cricket.
American Holidays
Many of our holidays have international roots!
Halloween – Did you know that Halloween comes from ancient Celtic traditions in Ireland and Scotland?
Christmas Traditions – Christmas trees? Germany! Santa Claus? Inspired by a Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas!
Saint Patrick's Day – St. Patrick’s Day started as an Irish Catholic holiday but became a huge celebration in the United States.
Fourth of July - This may be a truly American holiday, but what about the fireworks that make the day? They were invented in China.
American Festivals
Americans love a good festival, and many come from global traditions!
Mardi Gras – This comes from French and Spanish Carnival traditions.
Cherry Blossom Festivals – Many U.S. cities celebrate cherry blossoms in the spring, thanks to Japan’s gift of cherry trees to Washington, D.C. in 1912.
Diwali & Lunar New Year Celebrations – These cultural festivals from India and China are now celebrated in many American cities.
An American Experience...
America is truly a mix of global traditions, and hosting an exchange student makes that even more exciting. Whether through food, games, music, or celebrations, you're not just welcoming a student—you're welcoming a whole new culture into your home!
