--- title: How Are American Traditions Influenced by Global Cultures? description: Discover how American traditions are beautifully influenced by global cultures in music, dance, fashion, food, and holidays, creating a rich, diverse cultural tapestry. image: https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/American.png --- [![ices@2x](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png?width=77&name=ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png)](https://www.icesusa.org/)   - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org) [Let's Talk](https://blog.icesusa.org/contact)subscribe ### I’d like to learn more about Campaign Creators! read # How Are American Traditions Influenced by Global Cultures? By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/American.png) 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 ![man singing into a microphone](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/man%20singing%20into%20a%20microphone.jpg?width=742&height=417&name=man%20singing%20into%20a%20microphone.jpg) 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 ![teenagers dancing hip hop](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/teenagers%20dancing%20hip%20hop.jpg?width=740&height=416&name=teenagers%20dancing%20hip%20hop.jpg) 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 ![blue jeans with an american flag in the pocket](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blue%20jeans%20with%20an%20american%20flag%20in%20the%20pocket.jpg?width=726&height=408&name=blue%20jeans%20with%20an%20american%20flag%20in%20the%20pocket.jpg) 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 ![book of fairy tales with breakfast food](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/book%20of%20fairy%20tales%20with%20breakfast%20food.jpg?width=743&height=418&name=book%20of%20fairy%20tales%20with%20breakfast%20food.jpg) 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 ![popcorn and cinema tickets](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/popcorn%20and%20cinema%20tickets.jpg?width=740&height=416&name=popcorn%20and%20cinema%20tickets.jpg) 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 ![checkers game](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/checkers%20game.jpg?width=747&height=420&name=checkers%20game.jpg) 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 ![american food like french fries and soda](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/american%20food%20like%20french%20fries%20and%20soda.jpg?width=722&height=406&name=american%20food%20like%20french%20fries%20and%20soda.jpg) 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 ![ketchup bottle and tomatoes](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ketchup%20bottle%20and%20tomatoes.jpg?width=732&height=412&name=ketchup%20bottle%20and%20tomatoes.jpg) 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 ![girls basketball players standing on the court together](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/girls%20basketball%20players%20standing%20on%20the%20court%20together.jpg?width=732&height=412&name=girls%20basketball%20players%20standing%20on%20the%20court%20together.jpg) 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 ![fourth of july table with sparklers](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/fourth%20of%20july%20table%20with%20sparklers.jpg?width=742&height=417&name=fourth%20of%20july%20table%20with%20sparklers.jpg) 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 ![washington dc cherry blossoms](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/washington%20dc%20cherry%20blossoms.jpg?width=735&height=413&name=washington%20dc%20cherry%20blossoms.jpg) 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!   Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [4th of July](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/4th-of-july), [american culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-culture), [global cultures](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/global-cultures) ### Related Articles ## [Mid-Year Check: Make Your Year Great!](https://blog.icesusa.org/mid-year-check-make-your-year-great) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [4th of July](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/4th-of-july), [american culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-culture), [global cultures](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/global-cultures) ## [Why January Is the Best Time to Say Yes to Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [4th of July](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/4th-of-july), [american culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-culture), [global cultures](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/global-cultures) ## [How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-new-year) *( read )* Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [4th of July](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/4th-of-july), [american culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-culture), [global cultures](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/global-cultures) ### Subscribe to The Chronicles of Marketing Newsletter ### Posts by Tag - [Cultural Exchange (141)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange) - [Exchange Student (106)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student) - [Host Families (97)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families) - [Host an exchange student (78)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) - [Youth Exchange (68)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Today! ![Boris_ICES_Ads](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Boris_ICES_Ads.png?width=749&height=698&name=Boris_ICES_Ads.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "ICES", "url" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-28T13:55:53.511Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-28T13:55:53.000Z", "headline" : "How Are American Traditions Influenced by Global Cultures?", "image" : [ "https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/American.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/how-are-american-traditions-influenced-by-global-cultures", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "International Cultural Exchange Services" } } ```